Making stuff from pallets

david75 · 16-06-2013 7:43pm #1

I do this all the time.
Anyone else? Any stories or tips to share?
So my table that wasn't good enough for that competition(which I'm still bummed about)
We varnished it today. It's a gift for my friend dave
Before

After (1 coat)

I like it. **** that competition.

recipio · 17-06-2013 8:52pm

Er...........what competition.? A little cryptic for me. Pallets are a cheap source of wood, sometimes nice hardwood but you need a thicknesser to make the best of them. Getting out all those ring nails is however a beggar.

bazery · 17-06-2013 8:59pm

http://m.instructables.com/id/Scrap-Table/

I made one of these from pallets. Lot of work but great finish.

Collibosher · 18-06-2013 2:55am

recipio wrote: »

....Getting out all those ring nails is however a beggar.

You're not wrong!

I picked up a decent pallet from work a while back to make into a planter. Two hours of cursing later, I counted 112 nails that came out of it! :eek:

Nice table David.

david75 · 18-06-2013 1:04pm

It's weird how fast you get good at dismantling and denailing. Keep at it:)
I've built a good load of stuff you can see here if you're interested.
http://pinterest.com/woodenideas/palletable/

david75 · 18-06-2013 3:50pm

Helpful short article in what pallets are safe to use
http://www.1001pallets.com/pallet-safety/

bazery · 18-06-2013 6:27pm

Any one made something interesting. I'm always looking for a project

Collibosher · 19-06-2013 2:22am

david75 wrote: »

It's weird how fast you get good at dismantling and denailing. Keep at it:)
I've built a good load of stuff you can see here if you're interested.
http://pinterest.com/woodenideas/palletable/

Yeah, at first I just took which pallets looked the best without looking at how they were put together.

I've only made a couple of very basic planters for the garden, but am going to attempt some other things in the future. I can get pallets through work, so am always putting the decent ones aside

Thanks for the link, so good stuff there.

Steve_hooo · 19-06-2013 5:58pm

My 1st project from a pallet: a planter.
With the left over wood from the planter and another whole pallets I'm trying to do a coffee table. (Probably less elaborated than the david75's one but inspired by etsy)

david75 · 19-06-2013 6:52pm

That's a beauty.is it just wood stain you're using?

Steve_hooo · 20-06-2013 1:58pm

david75 wrote: »

That's a beauty.is it just wood stain you're using?

Thanks,

I used a left over paint for garden furniture from IKEA.

Glazing paint, this one
http://www.ikea.com/ie/en/catalog/products/00163351/

Collibosher · 24-06-2013 12:13am

david75 wrote: »

..I've built a good load of stuff you can see here if you're interested.
http://pinterest.com/woodenideas/palletable/

Some great stuff there David

I like the look of that wine rack, think I might tackle something similar.

Have been stockpiling the pallets in anticipation of some time off soon so that I can get started. Herself mentioned that she'd like a shelf/rack for some old fruit crates that she'd use for storing vegetables.

david75 · 24-06-2013 4:12am

The only thing I can say to you is just do it. It'll come to you when you're right or wrong. You'll enjoy it.
Using something and giving it a life when it was headed for landfill. Sounds hippy dippy but it's such a nice feeling. Go for it. If you get stuck give is a shout.

stacexD · 25-06-2013 11:58pm

My first pallet project

Have to touch the paint up a bit and varnish it before it's done but I'm delighted with how it turned out

Definitely investing in a chop saw before I try my next project :eek:

david75 · 26-06-2013 11:36am

That's so brilliant! Well done!!

fiacha · 26-06-2013 7:59pm

stacexD wrote: »

My first pallet project

Have to touch the paint up a bit and varnish it before it's done but I'm delighted with how it turned out

Definitely investing in a chop saw before I try my next project :eek:

Great job on that, much better than a scruffy dog bed in the corner !

If you are after a chop saw I can recommend this deal from Screwfix. It's a compound mitre saw and circular saw for 99 Pound delivered. Loads of reviews of both saws out there. It comes with a multi material blade which cuts cleanly through nails etc in the wood, so perfect for pallets.

I used the mitre saw for the first time today and it's perfect. The fence and mitre stops needed a little tune up, but this is normal for any saw. It's a very compact unit, so it doesn't take up much space in the shed etc.

I haven't tried the circular saw yet, but it looks to be good quality also.

No connection with Screwfix other than a happy customer.

Collibosher · 26-06-2013 11:09pm

david75 wrote: »

...Using something and giving it a life when it was headed for landfill. Sounds hippy dippy but it's such a nice feeling...

I know what you mean.

In my job, they were paying to have a ridiculous amount of them taken away as they got so many in :rolleyes:

Great job stacexD

Collibosher · 29-06-2013 10:46pm

Copied Inspired by David75's wine rack, knocked this together earlier. :P

Needs a bit more sanding, and have yet to decide on the finish.

david75 · 01-07-2013 12:48pm

Looks great!! They look good painted varnished or just left bare.
I'm thinking of dabbling in a little staining. You can use oil, coffee, good few other things too.

wait4me · 01-07-2013 3:51pm

fiacha wrote: »

Great job on that, much better than a scruffy dog bed in the corner !

If you are after a chop saw I can recommend this deal from Screwfix. No connection with Screwfix other than a happy customer.

Hey fiacha:

Do Screwfix deliver to Ireland. I seem to remember seeing it somewhere on boards that they did; but the site says no deliveries to ROI

recipio · 01-07-2013 5:57pm

wait4me wrote: »

Hey fiacha:

Do Screwfix deliver to Ireland. I seem to remember seeing it somewhere on boards that they did; but the site says no deliveries to ROI

They didn't, but a pop up on the link now says 'delivering to EU countries' - but at what cost.? I use www.axminster.co.uk who are usually reasonable on delivery.

wait4me · 01-07-2013 6:32pm

Thanks - the pop up didn't 'pop up' on my work machine but it did here at home.

rubberdungeon · 01-07-2013 6:41pm

I never thought of building anything from pallets until I seen this picture, if I was to build something, this is what I would attempt.

fiacha · 01-07-2013 8:50pm

recipio wrote: »

They didn't, but a pop up on the link now says 'delivering to EU countries' - but at what cost.? I use www.axminster.co.uk who are usually reasonable on delivery.

20 pound or free for orders over 100.

Sam Kade · 01-07-2013 9:32pm

Steve_hooo wrote: »

My 1st project from a pallet: a planter.
With the left over wood from the planter and another whole pallets I'm trying to do a coffee table. (Probably less elaborated than the david75's one but inspired by etsy)

Is that ground elder growing in front of the planter?

Collibosher · 02-07-2013 2:12am

david75 wrote: »

Looks great!! They look good painted varnished or just left bare.
I'm thinking of dabbling in a little staining. You can use oil, coffee, good few other things too.

I'm going to have a go at using the wire wool left overnight in white vinegar mixture. Seems to give a nice old look to the wood.

david75 · 02-07-2013 10:30am

Collibosher wrote: »

I'm going to have a go at using the wire wool left overnight in white vinegar mixture. Seems to give a nice old look to the wood.

Good idea. My friend says that regular bleach and wire wool can do that too if the wood is particularly dirty and you want a certain look. I take these things apart every day so I'm reluctant to not scrub them as much as possible but you never know. Could be a good look.

NIMAN · 02-07-2013 5:10pm

I make kindling from my pallets.

Steve_hooo · 02-07-2013 5:18pm

Sam Kade wrote: »

Is that ground elder growing in front of the planter?

no, it's mint

afatbollix · 02-07-2013 5:33pm

rubberdungeon wrote: »

I never thought of building anything from pallets until I seen this picture, if I was to build something, this is what I would attempt.

Looks so easy. What would be the best way to support the back? A couple of L brackets? Or do you think it would need more support?

david75 · 02-07-2013 5:46pm

NIMAN wrote: »

I make kindling from my pallets.

Bad idea. Especially if they're chemically treated.

david75 · 02-07-2013 5:48pm

afatbollix wrote: »

Looks so easy. What would be the best way to support the back? A couple of L brackets? Or do you think it would need more support?

Nothing to the one at all. You're basically sanding painting and sitting them on top of each other. Some screws and L brackets would be all you need.
No idea where to get foam for cushions though. Avoid the shops in capel st Dublin. They're ridiculously expensive for even the basic foam.

afatbollix · 02-07-2013 5:51pm

I was thinking the small mattresses from ikea and getting my GF who is handy with the sewing machine to make covers for them

david75 · 02-07-2013 5:57pm

Great idea! Waterproofing the cushions or at least putting them in shade is where I got stumped.

david75 · 04-07-2013 5:38pm

Made a side table. Might use it as a tv stand

Steve_hooo · 04-07-2013 5:52pm

david75 wrote: »

Made a side table. Might use it as a tv stand

Nice one. Where do you find that type of pallet? The only ones I found are the one with the cube blocks in the middle

Steve_hooo · 04-07-2013 5:53pm

Steve_hooo wrote: »

Nice one. Where do you find that type of pallet? The only ones I found are the one with the cube blocks in the middle

Nice one. Where do you find that type of pallet? The only ones I found are the one with the cube blocks in the middle

david75 · 04-07-2013 6:04pm

I'm down Smithfield most days looking for matching wood. Good idea to bring a lump hammer and wrecking bar. You can then take what you need instead of dragging a pallet home only to find half of it is useful. I take them apart down there and bring the bits I need home.

david75 · 04-07-2013 6:05pm

Also this isn't just one pallet but wood from about three different types all together.

1chippy · 05-07-2013 10:59pm

I done on a project on this years ago in college. brilliant some of the mixes that can be used but the wire wool in vinegar works brilliant, especially on oak.

Collibosher wrote: »

I'm going to have a go at using the wire wool left overnight in white vinegar mixture. Seems to give a nice old look to the wood.

david75 · 05-07-2013 11:23pm

What stage are the pallets you both used for this? Are they old and silvered? Did you prewash them?
And how's it done, do I just scrub the wood with the wirewool?

Collibosher · 06-07-2013 1:33am

david75 wrote: »

What stage are the pallets you both used for this? Are they old and silvered? Did you prewash them?
And how's it done, do I just scrub the wood with the wirewool?

The site I saw it on said to put a small amount of the 000 grade very fine wire wool in to a jar with white vinegar and leave for 24 hours. The wire wool will dissolve into the vinegar, then just brush on.

I made this earlier, and will be trying the above mixture over the weekend, so I'll post up how it turns out.

david75 · 06-07-2013 10:23am

Cool thanks. I've been tying to find those wooden wine crates everywhere for a table I want to build. No luck. Good idea just building one.

root69 · 06-07-2013 11:31pm

Hi all,
I have seen some great stuff done with pallets, I would like to give it a try.. but not sure where to start... Where can I get pallets?
I am in North Dublin area.
Thanks

david75 · 07-07-2013 9:29am

Do you have a car?
If you get to Smithfield, earlier the better but before 1pm, there's all sorts lying around. Look for broken ones and break them up while you're there. That way you won't have to drag useless wood home with you.
Industrial estates always have pallets lying around and are happy to let you take em but just be sure to ask before you do.
Some companies pay for them but most companies pay big money to have them taken away so in most cases you're doing them a favour.

Only get pallets with HT branded on them and wash the bejaysus out of them before you start working with them at all!
Best of luck and looking forward to seeing pics of your work:)

fergal.b · 07-07-2013 9:35am

root69 wrote: »

Hi all,
I have seen some great stuff done with pallets, I would like to give it a try.. but not sure where to start... Where can I get pallets?
I am in North Dublin area.
Thanks

Try some of the business parks around Balbriggan and ask for permission first explain to them what you are doing before you go skip diving and don't leave a mess behind you that way you will be welcome back

.

Collibosher · 07-07-2013 8:10pm

Collibosher wrote: »

I made this earlier, and will be trying the above mixture over the weekend, so I'll post up how it turns out.

This was taken after coating with the vinegar/wire wool solution, I really like the finish it gives.

The wire wool had only been soaking for 24 hours, but could probably do with leaving longer.

david75 · 09-07-2013 9:13am

That looks great! Well done.

aero2k · 23-07-2013 12:42pm

Well done on all the wonderful projects. I've made a kitchen table and chairs from pallets, but nothing I've done can beat this.

caz_von · 24-07-2013 12:33pm

Would you guys know of anywhere southside where I could get pallets?

david75 · 24-07-2013 1:24pm

Any industrial estates or factories near you. Dundrum might be a stretch.

Making stuff from pallets

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