Would this thing float if I built it?

I want to build a wooden raft, but with gas, middle men, then the lumber yard itself, wood costs are outrageous around here. I came up with getting old forklift pallets from dumpsters and stuff, then prying the boards of of some, patch up all the gaps, then seal off the things, then attaching 9 together in a square, and sealing it better, then painting it to keep out water. Would this be a cheap way of getting a quality raft, or a good way to learn how to swim really quickly?