I'm considering using pallet wood to build a dining room table and I'm curious if it's a safe choice. In particular, can it be made food-safe after applying an oil-based polyurethane finish? I'm also wondering about its structural integrity. Any insights?
5 Answers
I actually found an oak pallet and spent a ton of time breaking it down and milling it, but the usable pieces ended up being pretty small. Honestly, for the effort, it's probably not worth it in the end.
Most pallet wood tends to be pressure-treated and can be pretty dirty. A lot of it comes from coniferous trees, which usually don’t take finishes very well. I made a dart board backboard with some, but I definitely wouldn’t want to use that for a dining table. That said, I’ve heard of people finding pallets made from nice hardwoods like cherry, so it can sometimes depend on your luck.
You really need to ask yourself about the pallet’s history—where it’s been, what materials were shipped on it, and whether those were toxic. If you’re confident about those answers, go for it! But honestly, for the price of plywood, you might just be better off going that route. It’ll save you a lot of hassle.
Check out this super informative video on the subject! It's got a lot of helpful insights and might ease your decision-making. [Here's the link!](https://youtu.be/kgAXUdyFDgQ?si=HWzNTLWXcvAR9qyG) Don't let the title scare you; it dives into the nuances really well!
It’s a bit of a gamble, honestly. Even if you think the wood is safe, there's no guarantee. You have to consider if the pallet was treated with any pesticides, handled any hazardous goods, or exposed to contaminants like oil or chemical leaks. Generally, it's safer to use custom, single-use pallets rather than those that have been reused multiple times.