Wednesday, August 11, 2010

The Palette Desk Project ~ Part 3, prep and design



~ The Palette Desk Project ~

(all parts to date here)







Today
Part 3 - preparing the materials and design

    Nails need to come out

    All those nails had to come out of all those boards. I even seeked advice elsewhere. Can't I just CUT them off so I can see the cool nailheads left behind? I was told no, I had to pound them out... (grumble)

    Palette nails are mean. They're twisty things that don't want to come out. And they're soft so they bend on you. But once I got angry enough at them, they started to listen up and cooperate! :) Which really means, after you've done 4527, 4528 and beyond becomes abit easier because you finally got the hang of it.


    I simply flipped the boards upside down, straightened them as best as I could, then pounded on them backwards. Once I could grip them from the other side, I either wiggled them out with my hand or yanked them out with the peen.

    Do you know what a peen is? It's the hook thing on the back of the hammer. I googled it so I could sound somewhat educated. And now YOU can brag to all your friends about yanking out nails with peens. I KNOW!! And real woodworkers, if I'm wrong, let's just blame this one on google.


    Next, I hired my son to measure up the boards. And I even gave him a lesson with the miter saw. But yes, he had to put on shoes, wear ear and eye protection. And I stood over him like a worried mom to the point of him informing me that he would LIVE. Hey, good to know.


    All done! But they sure needed alot of sanding at this point.

    And this is where things went abit haywire.

    - I had issues with my palm sander and was ready to buy a REAL tool. But then I decided to try proper sand paper meant for my unit first. Problem solved! Spend some money and buy the right stuff!

    - I procrastinated because I didn't know how to build sawhorses. So I spent some time on google and found a really nice plan.


    I even had all the 2x4's ready for action!

    But my how things can quickly change in a day!


    I found these just today, at the palette shopping mall!

    Laugh if you must. I'm quite accustomed to it. I sure got an earful of manly type giggles and taunting as I threw them in my truck. Bear in mind these guys are REAL builders and they toss out the old and build new. Yeah well, check out the weathered wood on these two! Can't have that with new! (just ignore the burn, it's minor..)

    Ok then. Aren't you dying to see what I have in mind?!?

    But wait! I'm leaving lots out. I went through other ideas before the final. This is the part I never show you. I don't always come to the perfect conclusion right away. I have to work at it.


    Proof #1.

    I was trying to figure out the right height and at this point was scratching my head with different options for the legs/base.


    Proof #2.

    I brought my idea inside to ensure it sat well with real life. I could have made this work, but I wasn't falling in love with the base being so matchy matchy with the wall unit.

    And then everything changed with the ladder and sawhorses. :)


    ... and it turned cool. My kinda cool.
    (Except for the horse ball that's suppose to come... brother.)


    AND was the PERFECT height for keyboarding! Arms are perfectly parallel to the ground. I was floored. I was fully prepared to endlessly tinker on this one. But I don't have to.

    Now tell me. Aren't sawhorses generally taller? These were the PERFECT desk height! Who put in this order for me?!? I don't believe I even asked! Just, fretted alot. :)


    Palette wood before being cut.
    (photo by my son! he's pretty darn good with a camera)


     And cut to size.

    Just check out the beautiful patina on those palette boards! No two are alike. And they are awesome, nail holes and all. The palm sander took it down just enough without stripping away the weathered appearance. This is gonna be one long cool desk.
     
    But hey.. if you can't see my vision quite yet, I understand. This is why I generally don't show my stuff before it's time. :)

    Finding those sawhorses and figuring out the sandpaper issue shaved DAYS off this project. I'm nearly done!

    I even shot some video today but I must have taped them on a very high res because the video upload place spat them back at me. Oh well. The pics say the same thing. Sorda.

    Is the final reveal up next? It will be if things don't go wrong. Alot can change in a day around these parts.


    Be a day ahead of the rest over here.

    19 comments:

    1. OK. I am on the edge of my seat. I can't wait for the reveal. Love your back yard by the way. The little shed is adorable!

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    2. I love following your desk journey. I thought sawhorses were table/desk height. Those free ones are perfection. That desk is going to be great! I hire my boys to sort wood also. Good job Mom! Lisa~

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    3. wow...i'm really blown away by the view of those mountains in your back yard...gorgeous!

      oh, uh, this post is about your pallet desk?! anyhoo, the sawhorses must have been for a short carpenter is all i can figure. i love how you work...despite all the sidetracks and all...you persevere and gitter done!

      (and that's why you inspire me!)

      judi ;)

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    4. You R amazing! I want to see the finished desk!

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    5. Wow!! Now that is what I call cool!! Those palette boards are so beautiful! Love the patina!
      And I like the ladder and the saw horse combination. Definitely funky!
      Hugs
      SueAnn

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    6. I just love the different color tones of each board on the desk top. That is just going to look fantastic. I still think you have a secret admirer!

      That photo of your little shed and the mountains, beautiful.

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    7. ANOTHER fabulous creation in the works by the amazing Donna of Funky Junk Interiors!! I swear girl... I LOVE to hear how your mind works and how you process through these wonderful projects you come up with. You have me on the edge of my seat... can't wait to see the BIG REVEAL!! You know, I could totally see you having your own show on HGTV or the DIY channel (hmmm...). I would have loved to have seen that video!

      ~ Jo :)

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    8. That is just so cool and Donna-ish!

      Please treat yourself to an ROS (random orbiting sander), the circular ones, they are unbelieveably better.

      P. S. Isn't the end of the hammer used to pull out nails called the claw?

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    9. Ok. I know you normally don't show your process - but this is killer. Love it all!! Thank you for sharing it!

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    10. You're my hero. I'm so excited to see how it turns out! Love your vision.

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    11. There are sooo many cool things you can do with palettes. And many places give them away for free! The wood is strong and usually has a great patina.

      Can't wait to see your finished project. I know it will be awesome.

      Liz @ the Brambleberry Cottage

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    12. Looking forward to the big reveal! I love that patina. We have more pallets around here begging to be disassembled. I despise removing those dadgum nails! But in the end, it's worth it. Great job... will stay tuned for the end product. I just know I will love it, as always! -Tammy

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    13. The sawhorses look like the ones we own: well used and 'used' to begin with. Best of luck with the finishing.

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    14. I can't wait to see it!! I am totally loving your vision.
      lifeofperks.blogspot.com

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    15. I loooove sawhorses! I was going to use 2 for my kitchen table base, but then I realized I already had something I could use, but I know it woulda looked awesome! Can't wait to see the final product!

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    16. I can't wait to see it. This is definiately a "Donna desk." I think God dropped those saw horses at the pallet store just for you. :)

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    17. ...we are getting closer!...so looking forward to seeing the reveal!!

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    18. I can't wait to see the final product. You are one neat lady with some mad building skills.

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    19. Where did you find the ladder? I have been cute ladder hunting for a while now!

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