Thread: Potting Table almost from pallets

Looks good, it's always good to re-purpose something that would otherwise be thrown out.

It looks very serviceable and well made. It could be a good idea to seal the timber well to stop the potting soil from becoming ingrained in the timber. Also, if it will be in the weather it will need some rot-proofing as a lot of pallet timber is cut green and may not last out in the weather.

Sorry, but on my planet, a "potting table" is used for potting plants.
I predict that there's all sorts of dirt and water mushing around to get the job done.

You don't want soil ingrained in the wood? Wrong. Hang that bench up on the wall and
work to prevent anyone from using it for any reason.

I put 2x4 legs on freight pallets. I add 1x2 to fill (sort of) the gaps.
They get smashed and bashed with everything from stone carving to potting plants.
They sit out from +35C to -30C every winter = they thrive on neglect.
When they rot, fall over and die, I have a good supply of replacements.
Endurance? No problems for the past 15 years. How long do you expect a potting table should last?
1,000 years? They are disposable.

nicked74: you did a very good job of bench-building. I can hope only that the user isn't inhibited
from messing about.

Thanks guys, hopefully it will last but it was built to take a fair amount of punishment. As you say, there is always cheap material out there to rebuild/replace old broken parts!
Really appreciate the feedback,
ta

Originally Posted by Robson Valley

Sorry, but on my planet, a "potting table" is used for potting plants.
I predict that there's all sorts of dirt and water mushing around to get the job done.

You don't want soil ingrained in the wood? Wrong. Hang that bench up on the wall and
work to prevent anyone from using it for any reason.

I put 2x4 legs on freight pallets. I add 1x2 to fill (sort of) the gaps.
They get smashed and bashed with everything from stone carving to potting plants.
They sit out from +35C to -30C every winter = they thrive on neglect.
When they rot, fall over and die, I have a good supply of replacements.
Endurance? No problems for the past 15 years. How long do you expect a potting table should last?
1,000 years? They are disposable.

nicked74: you did a very good job of bench-building. I can hope only that the user isn't inhibited
from messing about.

Sarky and cocky aren't you? But maybe you don't know as much as you think you do mate. On my planet - and I have a PhD in botany and ran one of Australia's foremost botanic gardens for many years - protecting the timber helps to avoid spreading plant pathogens. Potting soil also contains microorganisms that are harmful to human health so being able to keep the timber clean and avoid a build up of such organisms by washing them clean regularly is very important. Once sealed the bench is much better and safer for "mucking around" with plants and for making sure that they get a chance to grow. I guess ignorance is bliss and you may have been lucky but you might like to do a little research on the matter before you trash a genuinely helpful and informed suggestion.