Pallet projects

[filtered]

So I got a bunch of pallets from the local auto parts store for free. I built myself a pallet breaker out of scraps. Then I built a flag for the g/f. Her co-worker wanted one so I built two more.


I decided to attempt to build a coffee table out of pallet wood. I am not a woodworker, my skills are no where even close to some people on this forum. It's more of a learning experience at this point.


All in all I think they turned out pretty well. I am starting to really like this upcycling stuff. Best of all it's costing me nothing more than time. Opinions, suggests, comments are all welcome.

 

[strength_and_power]

Nice work

 

[thundermug]

i've been planning some pallet projects. I'm post them here if I ever complete them.

 

[badger08]

Nice stuff, they turned out well. How did you get the paint to have the weathered look on the flag? I like it.

 

[Outlander]

Nice job!

 

[nine4gmc]

Search "pallet" on CL and look at all the ideas, there are a few pallet crafters here local that are pretty creative.

 

[wingnut_1]

Looks good. I have been seeing the flag pallets lately on front lawns. What kind of paint did you use and how did you apply it?

 

[Csmnlm]

Everything looks great!

 

[filtered]

Thanks guys. The paint is just cheap spray paint. I masked it off using blue painters tape. The stars were acrylic paint stenciled on. To give it the worn look sand it after it's dry. I used 120 grit on a random orbital sander. It knocks off all the high spots.

I did paint the whole thing white first. Which isn't really necessary.

 

[bonneyman]

Shoot, your work looks great to me.

I'd buy that coffee table!

 

[Gotcha640]

I got 16 oak pallets a few weeks ago. I knew I wasn't going to deal with cracking boards and pulling nails and all that, so I sawzalled them. Less than 10 minutes a pallet and no cracked pieces. Punch the nail heads out the back and toss or burn the stringers.

 

[upndown]

Just got a mountain of pallets from my neighbor. They're a one shot deal and brand new. No chemicals or paint! Says he can get me as many as I could possibly want. Now I just need to find someone to weld me up a pallet popper. So much easier to haul up to the cabin disassembled.

 

[racingtadpole]

Nice work. Double check them for nails before you put a power tool near them as sometimes pallets are recycled a couple of times before you get to see them (well at least in this part of the world they may have been).

 

[neonnblack]

Im making side tables for a smoker out of some ancient oak pallets. Bar resin style top to it. Ill post picks when i get to it.

 

[RXtacy]

Did an accent wall with pallets a little while ago.

 

[JZHeyde]

I really like the accent wall with the pallet wood. I am going to do this across the front wall of my garage. I have a bunch of pin stripped art work from the Chicago Brush Masters Auctions over the last few years and I think it would look AWESOME up against the pallet wall.

Was it hard to do? How do you fasten the wood to the wall?

Thanks!

 

[RXtacy]

I really like the accent wall with the pallet wood. I am going to do this across the front wall of my garage. I have a bunch of pin stripped art work from the Chicago Brush Masters Auctions over the last few years and I think it would look AWESOME up against the pallet wall.

Was it hard to do? How do you fasten the wood to the wall?

Thanks!

Thanks! The hardest part is dissasembling, sanding and staining the pallets. That being said it's a pretty easy weekend project. There are several methods for attaching. Some people sheath the wall in plywood and then secure to that. I used finish nails through the drywall and into the studs.

 

[filtered]

I got 16 oak pallets a few weeks ago. I knew I wasn't going to deal with cracking boards and pulling nails and all that, so I sawzalled them. Less than 10 minutes a pallet and no cracked pieces. Punch the nail heads out the back and toss or burn the stringers.

I did sawzall a couple of the junkier pallets, it goes real quick. With a pallet breaker tool it's not so bad only the wide planks give me problems.

Shoot, your work looks great to me.

I'd buy that coffee table!

Thanks, it is for sale, it's a shame you aren't closer.

Now I just need to find someone to weld me up a pallet popper. So much easier to haul up to the cabin disassembled.

I'd weld you up one if you were close, shipping would be a major pain.

Nice work. Double check them for nails before you put a power tool near them as sometimes pallets are recycled a couple of times before you get to see them (well at least in this part of the world they may have been).

Thanks, i've already been on the look out for nails. I do my best to remove them. I've been trying to cut around ones that are left.

Im making side tables for a smoker out of some ancient oak pallets. Bar resin style top to it. Ill post picks when i get to it.

I would be interested to see the side table. The resin top stuff looks pretty interesting. Maybe one of these days i'll use it on a project.



RX: The accent wall looks awesome. I'll have to keep that in mind if I end up with too many pallets.

 

[Lawson4450]

Did an accent wall with pallets a little while ago.

This is my next project i'm about to start this week

 

[filtered]

Just finished up this pretty simple project today. The g/f wanted a coat rack so I built one. I did cheat a little, we had to buy the nails. She wanted big nails for the hooks and I didn't have anything like that laying around. It's a little hard to tell but there is a shelf on top for gloves and hats.



Oh as for scale it's about 36" wide and those were 10" nails.

 

[Jack Olsen]

Do a little investigation on the pallets you're using for this kind of project. Some of them are treated with Methyl Bromide. Some are not.

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-determine-if-a-wood-pallet-is-safe-for-use/

Even so, a random test showed about 10% carried E Coli and about 3% carried Listeria. Those things are exposed to some pretty nasty stuff.

I wouldn't use them for items where there's going to be a lot of physical contact with the wood -- especially for kids.

 

[akdiesel]

Do a little investigation on the pallets you're using for this kind of project. Some of them are treated with Methyl Bromide. Some are not.

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-determine-if-a-wood-pallet-is-safe-for-use/

Even so, a random test showed about 10% carried E Coli and about 3% carried Listeria. Those things are exposed to some pretty nasty stuff.

I wouldn't use them for items where there's going to be a lot of physical contact with the wood -- especially for kids.

Great information. Thanks for shareing it.

 

[Koken]

What about insects/bugs/termites? Do you have them kiln dried to kill any living bugs?

 

[upndown]

filtered, Thank you for the kind offer anyway! Kinda like when I sell something on CL.. Never close.

Plus if we lived closer, your Garage door would be working better than new!

 

[upndown]

If any one in the Phx. area has some scraps laying around and would like to weld one up for me, I'd gladly pay you for time and material! Thanks.

 

[filtered]

Do a little investigation on the pallets you're using for this kind of project. Some of them are treated with Methyl Bromide. Some are not.

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-determine-if-a-wood-pallet-is-safe-for-use/

Even so, a random test showed about 10% carried E Coli and about 3% carried Listeria. Those things are exposed to some pretty nasty stuff.

I wouldn't use them for items where there's going to be a lot of physical contact with the wood -- especially for kids.

Thanks for the info i'll be sure to check for those marks.

What about insects/bugs/termites? Do you have them kiln dried to kill any living bugs?

No I do not have them kiln dried. I do inspect every board I use carefully, usually looking for splits and nails. I haven't seen any signs of bugs.

 

[j p smith]

If any one in the Phx. area has some scraps laying around and would like to weld one up for me, I'd gladly pay you for time and material! Thanks.

Do you have a picture or sketch of what you want?

 

[TimeWarpF100]

Just got a mountain of pallets from my neighbor. They're a one shot deal and brand new. No chemicals or paint! Says he can get me as many as I could possibly want. Now I just need to find someone to weld me up a pallet popper. So much easier to haul up to the cabin disassembled.

I am only a few miles from you.

Behind HD on CF Highway.

 

[upndown]

Sorry JP. The one I have is up at the cabin, a neighbor welded it for me. No pics.
I just need one to break all these down to haul up there. I'll see if I can't get you something on the Net or you tube. Unfortunately on the road right now. Thanks!

 

[upndown]

I am only a few miles from you.

Behind HD on CF Highway.

You know what I'm talking about?
If so just let me know what you'd want to weld one up.
You're over in Cave Creek?

 

[filtered]

After the coat rack the g/f wanted a shoe rack for her kid. I built her one, forgot to take pics. It does look like the one I built myself. The one for her only had 2 shelves. I put a 3rd top shelf on mine so I could sit down on it to put my shoes on.



After I built it I wished I had the boards extend over to cover the end supports. Oh well live and learn.

 

[JRC3]

A buddy bought this the other day, but his is made out of pallet would.

The builder beveled all the outside edges with a router. I'll get an actual pic next time I'm there.

 

[lilredex]

Here's one that is easy to make and it works. Forks are 3/4" dia. "J" hooks that were discarded. And, the final version..painted.

 

[upndown]

Yep, that's it. I've also seen them made out of angle welded to a piece of tube steel. I've read the trick is weight in the handle, let that do the work.

 

[Fender1325]

Just finished up this pretty simple project today. The g/f wanted a coat rack so I built one. I did cheat a little, we had to buy the nails. She wanted big nails for the hooks and I didn't have anything like that laying around. It's a little hard to tell but there is a shelf on top for gloves and hats.



Oh as for scale it's about 36" wide and those were 10" nails.

Nice. How did you bend the nails and get them all the same?

 

[filtered]

Nice. How did you bend the nails and get them all the same?

They aren't exactly the same but they are close for eyeballing it. I did it with a vise and piece of pipe.

 

[filtered]

Figured i'd share my pallet breaker. Please excuse the ugly welds, I had not welded in awhile. Got two pallets today the one marked HT had signs of insects, small holes in the wood. So not taking any chances I discarded the 3 or 4 affected boards.

 

[mtnkrake]

My pallet art. It hangs over the fireplace.

 

[filtered]

I made the attached sign for my g/fs coworker. Also I found a buyer for the coffee table and I am making two more flags for a local guy. Nice to find this hobby is paying off.

 

[upndown]

Nice sign! Did you paint that? If so, those would be a big hit at artsy fartsy craft shows. Nice work.