In the project’s semi-professional wood workshop, we skillfully crafted new tables using recycled materials. To achieve this, we carefully dismantled disposable pallets, ensuring the preservation of the boards for future use. Armed with basic tools such as hammers, crowbars, and pliers, we successfully extracted individual reusable boards from the firmly attached pallets.
For the table legs, we meticulously sanded old roof beams. Our instructor guided us in working safely with professional machinery to manufacture the various components. The adjustable circular saw was a remarkable aid for crafting the 45° crossbeams, providing immense relief.
Once the tables were assembled, we coated them with paint to protect against the elements, ensuring their durability for years to come. These tables now serve as our dining area and will continue to be of use to many other groups, even beyond the completion of our project.

Besides of getting to know lots traditional hand tools we got used to all common tools like electric screwdrivers, jigsaw, or angle grinder – with special disks, the latter can also be used to shape wood! With all the knowledge we gained, we were perfectly able to build little pieces of furniture and also repair on our own the stairs of the old compost toilet when they broke in the last week of our gathering.
Repairing old stairs at the site, we discovered the importance of durable wooden joints. By observing old furniture, we learned about different joint techniques, and which proved to be more resilient, stable and long-lasting than others. This newfound knowledge empowered us to tackle future projects with the understanding of which joint techniques to employ for stronger and more durable wooden structures.

It is amazing how much we learned in such a short time – there should be more opportunities, also in our daily life back home! When we come back in our home towns, we’ll focus on this kind of projects: regular workshops about everything for everyone!