A boat load of questions answered on the farm table desk

Well friends, once again you confirmed that my idea for the pallet farm table desk was half sound. :) Thanks so much for the overwhelming kudos and kind words! I was putzing around in the office hanging other things up during the week so it's really coming alive. Much more to come!

As promised, here are your questions answered.

Thanks for the kudos on the light! It's one of those things you just prop up to see if it works. I walked away from it, and when I reentered the room, I still loved it. That means it passed the test. :)

 Next? Ohh... I have a LIST. :)

work table for the center of the downstairs office
another LONG table with a glass top for my signmaking equipment
floor to ceiling shelving in two rooms
finishing up my boy's room with some pretty funky wall treatments and ideas
laundry room
write a book? :)
and I'm sure summer will interrupt this list so I can mess around outdoors

I'm assuming you mean to graffiti up the desk, yes?

I thought about it, but I'm reluctant to do more until the rest of the room is done. I find too busy is too stimulating for a work office environment. I'm still getting use to the warm wood slowing down my view. I'll see how the room evolves and wing it. Bear in mind, you're seeing the desk without it's normal paperwork strewn all over the place. :) My mind would race if I had too much going on beside the mess that transpires.

Hmmm... the more I look at it, the more it needs some official stamped crate markings with a subtle touch... yeah... maybe I should. :)

 

kitchen office

Oh gosh, no! These two areas have very separate purposes. I just LOVE blogging upstairs where I can be near my son, especially in the evening hours once he's asleep. Downstairs is my daytime environment when he's not home and where I pump out my sign work. I just have to be near the boy when he's around. I think it's a mom thing. :) I LOVE having an office in the kitchen area. LOVE.

 The office 'before'

 I donated the Jetson style Ikea desks I had to a good cause, then lived with plastic Costco tables that I could collapse instantly when the new build was ready to go up.

 

Splinters do indeed reside in our household! I keep pins and tweezers handy is all. :) Seriously, if something is causing splinters, it just needs a bit more sanding. Sometimes I rush through projects and generally regret it and end up redoing it, hence, splinters. Sanding properly is important. Just transition down with your sandpaper grit. I start at 60, then generally work up 2 more times all the way to 220. What a difference! (ignore this bold text. I can't seem to unbold it!)

 

 outdoor boardwalk

treated wood 

I have some pallets I leave outside untreated, but then again, I don't care if they disintegrate. However if you do care, I suggest to look for treated wood when building for outdoors, unless you properly protect it. Just remember to never bring treated wood indoors. It's toxic! And you can generally tell if a pallet is treated by looking closely for evenly spaced cut marks in the wood surface.

 ladder shelf project

Yes! It's the same lamp I used in my ladder shelf. The ladder is currently waiting for a new home too. :)

And, the desk honestly did turn out exactly as I visualized it. I'm able to see a completed project before I start. And I work it until it resembles what I had initially in mind.

The only thing that took me by surprise is #1 that I actually did it and #2 it's as sturdy as a ROCK. I still see myself as a non builder so when I make something that is structurally sound, I blow me away. :)

If you live in Hawaii and I'm part of the shipping, YES! :) Honestly, the unit could be unscrewed and shipped anywhere, making it a dream to move if I wish to take it with me in the future.

Currently, I'm still inventing, honing, doing, finishing my own home. Once I'm more settled in with overdue projects, I may get more serious about finding a permanent place to sell what I love making.

 

 

 The 3 sections was a fluke. I meant to build two tables but ran into the glitch on where to put MY legs if the table legs were in the way. And then my too short 2x4's dictated I figure out a new plan. And this worked! Love it when that happens.

Ha! Thanks Ann. I can always count on you for a major high 5. :)

And you're a smart cookie. :) I'll be taking the planks back off to sand moreso and may put some kind of matte finish on them so they're water resistant. And at that time, I may do something a little more interesting. I like living with something a little plainer for a bit to feel it out.

~ ~ ~ ~

This pallet wood thing is a total addiction. The back of my truck is full AGAIN and I can't wait to make a central work table in my office downstairs. I do attempt to collect boards with as few nails in them as possible so it's easier to work with. Just remember to stock up on that sandpaper! I think it's high time I purchase a wood planer if I keep this up.

Edited to add: Good news! My blog buddy Julie from Follow Your Heart Woodworking just created a post on how to avoid splintering up your wood when working with it. The term is 'tearout'. Love the tip, Julie!

Check it out HERE.

Any more questions? Fire away in comments! Please be sure to watch for the answers in comments or to changes in this main post.

So tell me... have I convinced you that pallet wood is a must have yet? :)

What would you like to make with it?

Disclaimer: please use pallet wood at your own risk. I've simply shared what works for me. Please protect yourself with appropriate gear and ensure the wood you are using is safe.