STEP 3 STEP 5 STEP 6 STEP 7
Dark charcoal paint
gives the pallets
a^ high-end finish
budgetmake
BUILD A PALLET ISLAND
Gather your supplies
■■1165 x 1165mm recycled
timber pallets (2)
■■140 x 19mm x 2.4m pine,
to enclose pallet ends
■■30 x 30mm x 1.8m dressed pine
■■2400 x 1200 x 25mm MDF (2)
■■1880 x 1200 x 30mm
timber benchtopComponents
■■End cleats 30 x 30 x
150mm dressed pine (4)
■■Body panels 870 x 1560
x 25mm MDF (2)
■■Battens 70 x 30 x 870mm
dressed pine (3)
■■Short pallet hooks 30 x 30 x
100mm dressed pine (4)
■■Long pallet hooks 30 x 30 x
125mm dressed pine (4)You’ll also need
Measuring tape; pencil; pinch bar;
hammer; power saw; painting
equipment; acrylic undercoat;
semi‑gloss enamel to match kitchen
cabinets; PVA glue; 50 and 40mm
wood screws; drill and bits; clamps;
kitchen timber oil; 450 x 300mm
metal stayed brackets (2)Notes ■ When using power tools,
wear all safety gear required. For
more information, refer to your
equipment pack instructions.
■ You’ll need two pallets for this
project. Buy from recycling centres
for about $15 or check out trading
sites like gumtree.com.au – you
might find them going for free!
■ Undercoat and paint all items
except benchtop prior to assembly.
■ Dimensions of pallet components
can vary. Adjust project to suit.Here’s how
STEP 1 Measure 870mm along each
bearer of pallet from 1 end and mark.
Using pinch bar and hammer, carefully
remove slats to allow access for your
power saw to cut bearers at marks.
Replace slats on top and underside
(which has fewer slats) of bearers flush
with their ends. On 1 end of pallet, cut
and fit 140 x 18mm pine to enclose
gap between top and underside of
boards. This will be the top end of
the pallet. Repeat for second pallet.
STEP 2 Glue and screw 1 end cleat to
short edge of body panel 105mm from
1 corner (see Step 5 pic). Make long
edge of cleat flush with edge of panel.
To determine position of second end
cleat, measure from top end of pallet to
second last slat on underside of pallet.
Add 105mm to this measurement and
position second end cleat on body
panel, measuring from the same corner
as first cleat. Repeat to attach end
cleats to other end of body panel.
STEP 3 Glue and screw 1 batten
across centre of this body panel and
2 more 480mm each side of centre.
Apply glue to all battens and end cleats
and place second body panel on top so
edges align with first. Clamp and let dry.
STEP 4 Glue 1 short pallet hook
to 1 long pallet hook so 1 end of
both are flush. Repeat to make
3 more hooks. Leave to dry.
STEP 5 Glue and clamp 1 pallet hook
to centre of slat on underside of pallet
so it is flush with the top end. Repeat
to attach second pallet hook to the slat
you measured to in Step 2. Repeat to
attach pallet hooks to other pallet.
STEP 6 Lift pallet and slot hooks over
end cleats between body panels. Repeat
for second pallet at other end of panels.
STEP 7 Apply 2 coats kitchen timber
oil to benchtop, following product
instructions. Place over island base so
it overhangs pallets evenly all around.
Predrill and screw up through pine at
top ends of pallets into benchtop with
40mm wood screws. Place brackets on
centre of body panel under benchtop.
Screw bracket to batten through
body panel and up into benchtop.steps
FOR PROJECT SUPPLIES,
SEE STOCKISTS PAGE- A simple rack attached to the
side of the unit allows you to hang
utensils or cutting boards. Drill holes
on an angle through a length of
pine, knock lengths of dowel though
and paint in your feature colour.
3
132 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS, FEBRUARY 2017 bhg.com.au