Turning a Free Pallet into a Modern Dining Table

I made this modern dining table from a pallet that I found on the streets of Toronto!
BEHIND THE SCENES: / morleykert
How to Joint Wood Without a Jointer by Inspire Woodcraft: • Table Saw Jointing WIT...
THINGS I USED IN THIS VIDEO:
Pallet Buster: amzn.to/3XQUH88
DEWALT 10-Inch Table Saw: amzn.to/3IJPjfQ
VEVOR Thickness planer: amzn.to/3w5qMgd
Bessey pipe clamps: amzn.to/3irlJTq
Milwaukee Random Orbit Sander: amzn.to/3OucSuQ
Makita Compact Router: amzn.to/3bO9oFB
Milescraft Circle Guide Kit: amzn.to/3ORFTlA
Milwaukee M12 Cordless Drill/Driver and Impact Driver: amzn.to/3XHSYCd
Steam Generator: amzn.to/3VCZhVy
Total Boat Halcyon Marine Varnish (Get 5% off all TotalBoat products with this link): www.totalboat.com/morleykert
Hexagon light feature - Nanoleaf Elements: amzn.to/3ORmFwm
OTHER TOOLS I LIKE TO USE:
www.amazon.com/shop/morleykert
Note: The above shopping links are affiliate links, meaning that, at no additional cost to you, I may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
TRACK LISTING:
Papa Funk - spring gang
RP001 - Pableno
Kermanshah - El Flaco Collective
Acid House - VELDA
Pyramid Skeme - Matt Large
B.O.D. - Heyson
Wow Factor - Daniel Fridell
Stop Chasing Me - Ambre Jaune
Urban Conspiracy - Jules Gaia
Deck the Halls (Jazz Version) - Ennio Mano
The Cast - Wendy Marcini
The Specialist - Duke Herrington
Displaced - Robert Ruth
Beast Coast - Amber Spill
Bruiser - Bonkers Beat Club
12th Floor Party - Jules Gaia
I'm a Dynamite - Harvio
Just Feels Right - Sarah, the Illstrumentalist
Ghosting - Christopher Moe Ditlevsen
Singularity - Lagua Vesa
Wood - Pableno
Lit - Jones Meadow
Havana - BLUE STEEL
Light - Jones Meadow
See Em' Dancing - Jones Meadow
Playtime - Margareta
Aftermath - Lagua Vesa
INSTAGRAM: / morleykert
TWITTER: / morleykert
TIKTOK: vm.tiktok.com/xSfbdj/
morleykert.com/
#woodworking #DIY #palletfurniture

[@SkimoStories]

Really love to see you fail forward instead of pretending like everything is going to plan from the get-go. Nothing ever goes that way in reality, and I think you are teaching a really important lesson in trying to see your 'failures' as learning opportunities. This is probably my favourite build of yours so far.

[@MorleyKert]

That’s awesome to hear, thank you so much!

[@lightpunch0072]

Big vouch

[@mattwilliams3820]

Good point, I appreciate that stuff being part of the video

[@BrianLee-pt8pm]

1000%. Things don't go as planned, and we make mistakes. The ability to stay positive and appropriately pivot is what separates the pros from the amateurs. Love your page, and thanks for the knowledge and inspiration! 🥂

[@TheVirakahScale]

It's a good idea to bend it more than you need, so around a smaller circle. That way it springs back closer to what you need.

[@MassGradingTeacher]

That steam-bending portion of the video was thoroughly entertaining. Really cool to see you working through the problems.

[@ryandury]

Love your determination here, that steam bending was probably so frustrating. I've dabbled in steam bending myself, when I built my cedar strip canoe. Those pieces of wood looked really thick for bending. Next time I would suggest doing a bent lamination where you work with much thinner strips, steam them, dry fit/clamp and then glue them together the following day. In any case I'm so impressed with your ability to turn a pallet into a nice looking table. Legs look very cool. Cheers!

[@MorleyKert]

Thank you so much! Great idea for the next build 🙏❤️

[@glennleader8880]

If I was using wood that thick for the border, I would have made it into "wobble" board. lots of very thin kerfs cut on the inside of the wood. When bent, the gaps close and mostly vanish. Mind you, I just dabble with woodwork.

[@MycobraII]

I find it very satisfying that your tool level is the same as mine, there's nothing worse than watching someone build something with a room full of tens of thousands of dollars worth of tools. Plus I like how you showed the true struggle on learning on the fly and the mistakes that come with it. Love your work, keep it up!

[@vascorfael7223]

I would have been so mad at those bending problems. Really nice to see you keep your cool. Keep up!

[@MorleyKert]

Thanks for watching!

[@michealknight9303]

Right, bless my poor neighbors if that was me doing it

[@MorleyKert]

One challenge I didn't talk about in the video - this leg design results in an un-level surface, because one of the three legs is offset from the middle of the other two. I ended up modeling an "as-built" of the legs in Fusion 360 to figure out how much I had to chop off of one of the legs (it was 5 inches). There's probably an easier way to figure this out, but that's just how my mind works!

[@joelrobles9092]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Infinity

[@ericserafim7954]

IMO painting the legs black could make the top pop even more 😉

[@GreasyTrout]

Haha i was waiting for the part in the video where you'd mention this. I've made a handfull of tables with these 'tank trap' legs and I still break my brain on it everytime on how to calculate the lenghts and angles.

[@wildboystv3013]

@@ericserafim7954 i like that idea i also like seeing the entire table as pallets

[@stuartdunc100]

Maybe a laser level? stood it on a level surface, used the laser level on a tripod , marked the lines and then hand sawn? 🤷

[@Danny101yt]

I love how you showed the full scale process of the entire project. From the moment you picked it up to the point you completed it - it feels more authentic and passionate rather than of it was to only show the successful parts. Love the videos, keep them going!

[@MorleyKert]

Thanks for watching!

[@kennethmiller2333]

A few ideas: 1. Instead of screws, use dowels, gluing them in as you go. They can form part of the design. They can be centered since they'll glue to both the pallet wood and the plywood. 2. Edge banding about 3/4 as thick would have been much easier to bend. You have a lot of internal stresses tied in there. 3. To confidently measure for that second piece, run a string around the outside of where you want to glue it, then use that to mark off the inside circumference on the edge banding. That only leaves the outside circumference to match up.

[@teeu.4493]

Clever idea with the string! The dowels would only hold after the glue dries though right? Would it not be better to use the screws first and once the glue on the side of the curved wood dries then replace them with dowels?

[@kennethmiller2333]

@@teeu.4493 Thanks. I think, with a thinner edge banding, and leaving the dowels long and then cutting them off once the glue dries, that would be enough to hold the edge banding. However, swapping out the screws for dowels would be an excellent approach if more strength was needed.

[@teeu.4493]

@@kennethmiller2333 ahh smart!! Thanks for the advice!!

[@landriaultpierre]

I really love your videos because they show us what to try, not if, but when challenges occur. Excellent tutorials. Thank you so much.

[@ChuckUnderFire]

This is the kind of project that immediately makes me want to make another one.

[@MorleyKert]

Well put!

[@prabhat4700]

I am glad you included the struggles in the edit, otherwise the viewer never really gets to know how challenging the work is. This pallet wood table series is addictive. Keep them coming.

[@MorleyKert]

Thanks for watching!

[@broderdanne]

Really enjoyed watching a video where the entire process isn't flawless. It's refreshing to see the struggles and obstacles you come across during the making, and how you overcome them. I admire your innovation and patience during that frustrating steam bending! Keep it up!

[@Charlielizard]

Gotta be one of the best videos I've seen with woodworking. Am an old rookie and appreciate your honesty with mistakes. That's how we learn to do things ourselves. Very proud of you and your beautiful table. Became an instant subscriber. Blessings to you both. 🙏 👍🏼

[@BlazarVision]

Hi Morley, I'm happy I stumbled across your content! There is so much attention to detail in your videos, everywhere from the shots you take to show the progress, to the type writer printing your patreon supporters. Keep up the great work, your inspiring me to take my basic carpentry skills to the next level :D

[@smokeybarr]

Absolutely admire your tenacity. On a side note, your 'Turning a Free Pallet into a $550 Table' project inspired me to give it a go. Finished it this afternoon and the Mrs was well please. Thank you!

[@NinaThoren]

Love to see the process and that you did a round table this time! I wish I had the space and tools to do this, not for the money (though it would be fun to go plus) but to be able to create something from stuff that would be thrown away otherwise

[@MorleyKert]

Thank you! I love round dining tables - so space efficient and cozy.

[@Wasted-Life]

Man, super impressed by your tenacity! It looks great - massive well done👏🏼 Patiently awaiting the next project 😅

[@MorleyKert]

Thank you so much!

[@shawnmayfield5640]

Table came out great. When steam bending it would have been easier with thinner strips and add them on in layers. An idea I thought while watching you add so many screws, since you had already spaced them out evenly once the glue had dried on your round boarder you could have taken the screws out, drilled a larger hole in each one and then add dowels, flush trim them and make it a decorative feature. Keep up the good work.

[@Lexiont]

I have to say, your videos are the best thing when I'm on my lunch break, I really enjoy watching your content!

[@stephanietom_md]

I very much appreciate you keeping in the clips of you trouble shooting how to bend the wood - it helps us watching know that its not as easy as a 10 min video is! I can't stop binge watching your creations, keep them coming!

[@tlh878]

I'm impressed you can steam bend wood so thick. Well done for your first try with that technique. The table is gorgeous!

[@zzztek]

I love this guy! Like most of the other woodworking videos, they have large shops, expensive equipment and zillions of tools. "Use your body" as a tool! Been there.

[@iairabadi4651]

I absolutely love your style man, and showing all of those mistakes you made a long the way that I would have definitely made makes me really start to want to do woodworking

[@SoreTv]

Use a 1/4 or 1/8” thick wood for the edge bend, or if you really want them to be that thick, on the inside of the bend, make a cut about 1/4” deep every 1/8” and then cover the top with a circle cutout.

[@therealchayd]

I admire your patience and resolve in bending that wood; I'd've lost it and set fire to the whole lot after one failure 😅

[@Matttt09]

"OMG, how am I going to do this?" Slap that on a shirt and embrace it as your motto. I love watching you figure stuff out as you go. Keep up the great work!

[@Smoothe932]

This is the first time I've ever commented on of these build-it videos. Thank you for showing the mistakes. Mistakes that I might not have to make.

[@leethememerwolf]

That wood did not want to be bent. I love the end look of the table loving your workmanship Kert!

[@chrisbrucesr.9256]

Really do enjoy that you show your mistakes. That's exactly how wood work works! 😆

[@JACK_SPOTS_CARZ]

Loved this video and the outcome was amazing. Love watching all of your videos gives me inspiration as I do a lot of pallet destroying and woodwork!

[@daveeverhart5834]

Watching you begin the glue-up in your dining room, was like watching - and listening - to myself (minus the 4-letter words I'm prone to). That was a great relief.

[@GregN456]

The neature reference was absolutely perfect. Cool project too! I also just noticed your iron ring. I'm never surprised when fellow Canadian engineers take up woodworking :)

[@igloostones4766]

seeing you struggle and fail constantly is like watching myself. I have the same struggles and fail just like you and its nice to see a video with that for a change.

[@hyggenkraft]

Inspiring! Definitely good to add the “failures” and learning points into the Final Cut. Amazing job! Now to have a look at your table saw router jig. 😁

[@timring7479]

Glad I found your channel and I have enjoyed every one of your builds. It's refreshing to see you turn scrap into beauty and with such a great attitude.

[@MorleyKert]

Thank you so much!

[@PlasmaJin496]

Great Job Morley!! Loved the way you presented your failures and the complete learning curve *pun intended* 🙌🏼

[@michaelboudreaux1065]

Glad I'm not the only one who screws up. Sure have loved to see how you made the table legs in more detail. Table turned out great

[@kquick0238]

I’m sure other have commented but it’s always worth it to do a dry run of the clamping so your glue doesn’t harden while you fight the clamps. No matter how many glue ups I’ve done, every time I try to glue up without a dry fit I do the exact same thing you did here lol

[@JustMightDIY]

Gorgeous! And I love how you showed the challenges, too. Great video!

[@MorleyKert]

Thank you!

[@jdwilsun]

Beautiful table. The legs are wow. I am surprized you were able to bend that thick wood so well. 3/8" is my maximum & even then I use a steel strap outside. The bent ends would hold better screwed into the side grain vs the end grain.

[@completewith7]

Excellent job! I appreciated the fact that you showed the failures as well. Thanks!

[@sea2c]

I just love watching an engineer struggle with their own design! 😂 Good on you for seeing it through and getting it done!

[@MorleyKert]

Thanks for watching!

[@ThePrintHouse]

good job morley. You definitely show weakness in many places with woodworking, but the fact that you persevere proves that you WILL learn the best techniques for the future. I love it. Next time I recommend making a 5 minute model 3d printable jig for your screw holes for the end of the steam bent wood that will make all of the screw holes of even distance from the bottom of the board. You can also predrill the hole while the piece is still flat so you can space them evenly.

[@miloodalomrani8862]

Maaaaaan! I stand in awe of your patience. I was about to give up watching but your perseverance kept me watching the whole thing. Kudos to you, bro.

[@shishirchitre1945]

Hats off to your patience and persistence!!!!

[@darodes]

Your first glue up looks like all of my panel glue ups 😂😂😂 Another great result… keep it up! There’s people like me out there that really enjoy seeing the possibilities with pallets. Not just chucking pieces together to make boxy outdoor projects, but much finer stuff. Love it

[@michaelbragg6527]

You had me hooked with the “neature walks” clip! Never met anyone that’s seen those videos and very few that think they are funny. Great build!

[@augieonorato2377]

Love the videos! They have helped me while I have entered my watch journey. You’re the man!

[@mrwellred]

Big fan of your energy, ingenuity, vision, personality, and content. Even more so after the Neature Walk reference 😂

[@jasonlee4307]

I was happy to see that you filled over the screw heads on the table edge sometime off screen in your final phase. Well done.

[@craigtyler9129]

This was such a great video. So many moments in this video where if it were me making the table I would have said ''Ahh Forget this!'' but you carry on and found solutions.

[@M_M0109]

Drinking game - take a shot every time Morley slaps his wood or says "Let's do it".

[@MorleyKert]

Let's do it!

[@davebauerart]

Nice results! Steam bending is definitely a challenge. You can over bend it to account for some spring back but it’s more of an art than science.

[@kellyphillips3447]

I was literally thinking drill some holes and use pegs as you bend it it in and then you grabbed the screws, stops was a good workaround. Bending the wood so far, leaving it to set a bit and then steaming smaller portions to get the remainder of the bend.

[@angelhallsings]

Thank you for sharing from start to finish your beautiful talent woodworking! Wow! So lovely!

[@Markus-fw4px]

You know that there is a wrong and a right direction of moving a router, don't you? Great table btw, I like the palet-recycling-idea.

[@evanbarnes9984]

Oh man, I feel your frustration on the steam bending part. I've been there a lot too! I think a simpler approach would be to bend a thinner piece and just do bent lamination around the edge, rather than trying to get full thickness from a single bent piece. I just know I get stuck trying to make my choices work when what I should do is just reevaluate the plan and slightly change course. Beautiful work!

[@watakach]

Awesome table, awesome video, thanks for sharing the frustrating process the fails etc... learning a lot! It's also great cause you don't have a billion machines so we can relate!

[@TheRaven078]

Good job on the table! It's great watching you try new things each time and challenge your skillset.

[@MorleyKert]

Thank you!

[@RandomBro5]

I love the learning curve in this video!

[@MorleyKert]

I learned a ton in this project! Stoked to use the steam box in future projects.

[@elevans5758]

so do I. It makes us average people feel less inadequate.

[@gooddude9211]

Brilliantly done and excellent craftsmanship sir. Loved the video share.

[@donaldmitchell5446]

Awesome maybe try marking center line on the table 1st then cut both of the steamed board 1 1/2 inches further then the line of both steam boards, then put a half lap on all 4 ends then connect them. Possibly having no gaps. I love what you did and now I'm inspired to do the same

[@codelicious6590]

Ive cut a pipe or two in a pinch- needing shorter pipe clamps- you only need one end with the threads. Just in case that idea helps someone. I switch out the lengths of pipes I have my pipe clamps on quite frequently and just pick one or two more up whenever I see them for a good price. I love finding older ones that I can clean up because some are pretty cool.

[@jonp.4957]

Absolute pleasure to watch this video. Well done and very inspiring!

[@dogedelish9635]

You have inspired me to try woodworking. Doing something like this with free materials is so cool to see!

[@MorleyKert]

That’s awesome to hear, thanks for watching!

[@thesehandsart]

Lol the clamps! Suggestion! I've seen others do multiple smaller glue ups in the same clamp by simply not gluing in between the sections allowing you to utilize the full length of the clamps and clamp multiple sections at a time❤️ hope this is helpful😁

[@neillaubach]

really enjoyed the vid and your bravery to show your learnings. I am an amateur chippy too and have some skills, but no imagination. you've inspired me to get back in the workshop.

[@thejdguy]

A great table, well done! And, what a wholesome guy, well done Kathy. Definitely subscribing

[@Canosa612]

Admire your perseverance. Great table. Enjoy every meal on it.

[@maureendeloffi]

Man, watching the struggle to bend that oak felt so familiar. I tried to bend maple once. Haha! I enjoyed watching you learn as you go, fun video!

[@alexrobles7744]

that looked so painful. Bending wood is no joke. Great job and it looks super. Impressed as always Morley.

[@MorleyKert]

Haha it was definitely an aggresively thick piece of wood to use for my first time! Thanks for watching :)

[@lsdave]

this is the woodworking equivalent of "A grinder and paint, make me the welder i ain't".Loved watching you "learn"

[@Fragaile]

The way your mind works baffles me man! Always a pleasure watching your videos, I hope you keep it up!

[@MorleyKert]

Haha thank you! What’s baffling about it?

[@Fragaile]

@@MorleyKert You're extremely creative, I'm always calculated and have no ideas. You're like an entrepreneur, which is a trait I admire :)

[@TomTheEnglishPicker]

Dude you lucked out on that oak bending as it did and not cracking, Speaking from experience . Nice result , I think the base was lovely. Reminds me of a WW2 anti tank trap

[@ersikillian]

Everybody seems to be turning old pallets into beautiful furniture like desks or tables on KZbin. I want to see someone turn a beautiful table into a pallet.

[@Lando_99]

Your perseverance is incredible

[@Fragi]

Love this video, and makes me smille a lot when stuff wasnt work for you , nice guy with nice skills , greetings🤗

[@dontew9642]

Such an inspiration watching you work man. Marvelous work absolutely incredible!

[@TheRuralGardener]

So many life lessons in this one video! ... your perseverance clearly paid off with a gorgeous looking table my friend.

[@MorleyKert]

Totally! Thanks for watching 😊

[@dieselrugg]

I was commentating every step of your bending attempts... I your first set up had me remembering the time I installed coil springs in my car without the right tools.

[@AntiViGames]

Looks good! You've improved a lot. Keep it up. Also when looking for a way to cover that circle edge up I was thinking of a metal piece around it much like an old barrel but this also looks very good.

[@mrsa9130]

Also maybe glue some round metal accent pieces on the edge.

[@WilliesDET]

Turned out great! I really love the hedgehog for the legs.

[@redbearworkshop3219]

I thing if you got that oak half as thick and just double layered it, it would've been a lot easier for you. Looks really good.

[@rudycaballero7098]

That steam bending is a major trial and error. I've only seen one other steam bending video and it was from Tiktok. However the table they used had many holes (basically a upscaled pegboard) in which they would put metal/wood rods through as they bent the wood in order to keep tension and provide more leverage to keep bending, and then after every bend they would just keep adding rods behind the other to hold in place. Probably something you'd be able to utilize if you plan on doing more of these. Great work as always, though! Love the craftsmanship.

[@nathantack2175]

The backing tracks in this vid are FIRE Nice table too bro

[@TotalBoat]

It turned out beautifully!! Loved watching you overcome some of the challenges, nicely done!!!

[@MorleyKert]

Thank you!

[@bharbir]

Love your videos. So approachable. So entertaining, and the quality of work is incredible!!! Wishing you happy holidays from Australia!!

[@MorleyKert]

Thanks for watching!

[@markas1987]

Subscribed immediately after seeing that chaotic glue up. Good work

[@Earl3]

Another great video, Morley! The table looks great!

[@MorleyKert]

Thank you so much!

[@CorbyQ]

I cant tell you the joy this build brouht me. Amazing job sir.

[@MorleyKert]

That’s awesome to hear, thanks for watching!

[@HumancityJunction]

After rewatchingn this video, as well as your video series on the van, I am realizing that Eden is a saint!! Has she always been accepting of your projects?

[@darinbrooks8743]

Well done that man. Old pallet to gorgeous table. 👍👍

[@jarodbaab4522]

wow look at all this nature, that's pretty neat

[@OSRS_KQs]

He got the pallet buster I recommended in an earlier video! I'm so happy to see it in use! =)

[@raymondpasley2101]

Use wooden dowells to hold the oak , same idea as your stoppers. Looks great man!!

[@francoisst-onge140]

Your video caught my attention. One thing you should look into for your glueups is a small paint roller you can get a regular size just shorter and it cuts down your gluing time as well as hand spreading. Keeps you cleaner as well while you work.

[@steeltech6677]

i really enjoy the show of you picking up some random pallete n built up something. u are done very great thing in recycle. ThumbsUp for yoy Morley Kert. Waiting on upcoming video :)😀😊😊

[@MorleyKert]

Thanks for watching!

[@Timethy_Boon]

What i learned at my school with steambending is that you make the form a bit smaller so the you can handle the spring back a bit better

[@officialBro-uc1pt]

i think this is the best project yet!!!!!!

[@MorleyKert]

Thank you so much!