I made this Repurposed Spalted White Oak Coffee Table, purposely with focus on repurposed/upcycled wood. My love for woodworking started in school, and I was lucky enough to have two instructors that inspired me. Now, 55 years later I find myself with the wood shop I always wanted. A fractured ankle caused a 2+ year hiatus but I am on course now.
Repurposed Spalted White Oak Coffee Table – make your own!
What you see below is the result. I have focused on repurposed wood. In this case it is pallet wood. I have a source for some excellent 3x4x8′ wood, you just have to see the beauty behind the ugly on the outside. It’s spalted white oak finished with 2 coats of oil-based fruitwood stain and 3 coats of oil-based urethane finish. Hairpin legs which I alas did not make. It would have taken another $1000 of tools and some place to have a fire. I must admit having an anvil would be cool. This all started out as gnarly pallet wood! The finished size of this table is 34″ x 48″
Let’s get building this I made this Spalted White Oak Coffee Table!
I started out by removing he nails, then running the wood through the jointer. When wood has a twist or a warp it’s much easier to cut it to a rough length so you aren’t planing too much wood. Once the wood is flat and square on 2 sides, on to the table saw. It takes multiple passes through the saw to cut dense hardwood. Once cut, I glued the boards in sections to avoid ‘bowing’. Perhaps 3 boards at a time. Then glue the entire thing together. I made the sides from the same wood, I don’t like end grain showing.
Try out new products – you may like the results like my Spalted White Oak Coffee Table!
I used a new Titebond glue designed to be thick for the end grain so it doesn’t soak in. It’s called Titebond No-Run, No-Drip. I sanded down to 150 grit because this is a very dense wood. I use Zar Stain and General Finishes pre stain and final finish. Again because it is dense, I use oil based products. the legs are 16″ hairpin legs that I found on Etsy.
Here’s a beautiful Pallet Sofa Table or Side Table idea for you too! Make a conversation piece and turn magazines into a side table!
what brand of stain did you use?
Pallet coffee table