Becky Lamb - Wood Pallet Wonders: DIY Projects for Home, Garden, Holidays and More

Text and photographs copyright 2017 Becky Lamb. Design and concept copyright 2017 Ulysses Press and its licensors. All rights reserved. Any unauthorized duplication in whole or in part or dissemination of this edition by any means (including but not limited to photocopying, electronic devices, digital versions, and the Internet) will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Published in the U.S. by:

Ulysses Press

P.O. Box 3440

Berkeley, CA 94703

www.ulyssespress.com

ISBN: 978-1-61243-777-4

Acquisitions editor: Casie Vogel

Managing editor: Claire Chun

Editor: Shayna Keyles

Proofreader: Renee Rutledge

Front cover design: Michelle Thompson

Interior design: what!design @ whatweb.com

Layout: Jake Flaherty

Distributed by Publishers Group West

IMPORTANT NOTE TO READERS: This book is independently authored and published and no sponsorship or endorsement of this book by, and no affiliation with, any trademarked brands or other trademarked brands or products mentioned within is claimed or suggested. All trademarks that appear in this book belong to their respective owners and are used here for informational purposes only. The authors and publisher encourage readers to patronize the quality brands and products mentioned in this book. The operation of tools involves a degree of risk and requires a degree of skill. It is the readers responsibility to ensure that he or she understands all such risks and possesses all necessary skills. Any decision to use the information in this book must be made by the reader on his or her own good judgment. This book is sold without warranties or guarantees of any kind, and the author and publisher disclaim any responsibility or liability for personal injury, property damage, or any other loss or damage, however caused, relating to the information in this book.

This book is dedicated to my family.

You support and love me unconditionally, and inspire me to be better each day.

CONTENTS

Table of Contents

Since writing my first book, Crafting with Wood Pallets, some things have changed in my life: My family moved into an 85-year-old schoolhouse, and I now only have one child left at home. But my love for building and using pallets has not changed. The large workshop that I gained when we moved into our new home has made building and creating easier. We also have many more home projects to work on with our old schoolhouse and larger property, and many of those are being done with pallet wood. Currently, we are working on a floating deck made from pallets, using pallet wood to create a shiplap wall, and creating a pallet laundry supply storage solution.

As a blogger at Beyond the Picket Fence, I get a lot of questions from readers about me and what I do. I thought I would introduce myself to you by answering some of these common questions.

How do you get your ideas? I was blessed to have a creative mother with a do-it-yourself attitude, and I believe I learned many of my creative habits from her. I do think that creativity can be taught, and I am thankful to have been raised in a home that encouraged it. I see ideas everywhere, and the smallest thing will spark my imagination. I see ideas by looking at a piece of junk in a different way, by getting out in nature to refresh my creativity, and from our household needs. For example, if I need a nightstand, I figure out how to make one from pallet wood in the style that I want.

Why do you build with pallet wood? I have always seen the value in reusing whatever I can. I do not like the idea of pallets made from good wood filling our landfills. I also enjoy the challenge of creating with pallets and having the ability to make something unique. As a family of educators (my husband is a high school principal and taught elementary school for 25 years), we have always lived on a budget, and free pallets fit that budget. I like a rustic, eclectic, industrial style, and pallet furniture works well with my dcor.

Do you really make everything you share? I do indeed make all of my own projects. But I am thankful for my husband of 29 years, who helps me when I need it and who taught me how to use power tools. There are only a couple of places in the book that I mention using a table saw as an option, because I have just never been very comfortable with it. My husband will make table saw cuts for me. He and my three children (two of whom are now in their twenties) have all helped me over the years when I was in a bindthey have sanded and painted, hauled and dismantled pallets, and found treasures for me to repurpose.

What else do you enjoy doing besides building with pallets and reclaimed wood? When I am not in my workshop, I love participating in various outdoor activities in my beautiful home state of Montana. As a family, we enjoy hiking, camping, biking, floating the rivers, and paddleboarding. We also enjoy gardening in our 1,500 square-foot greenhouse (another bonus of moving into our old schoolhouse) and working on projects around our home.

What do I need to know about building with pallets? This book will provide you will all of the information you need to get started building with pallets. I want readers to know that you need to be patient with yourself, especially if you are a beginning woodworker. I make mistakesinaccurate cuts, drilling through wood where I am not supposed to, spilling entire cans of paint, etc.all the time. I also learn from the mistakes. When I was creating the last project for this book and made a mistake, I told my husband that I should have been taking pictures of all of the mistakes and included a bloopers chapter in the book. Also, remember that you are completing all of these projects at your own risk. Please use all safety precautions and procedures when using power tools and creating any project in the book. Follow all manufacturer instructions.

Pallets are easy to build with, but they vary greatly. I provide exact measurements for the projects, but you may need to alter things slightly to fit the size of the boards you are using. Be sure to read through all of the directions before starting a project. Change up projects when you need and want to personalize them to meet your needs. And remember to enjoy the process.

FINDING PALLETS

Once I decided I wanted to build with pallets, I needed to find some. One drive around my small town and I discovered plenty of sources of quality pallets: a flooring store, a heating and air conditioning business, a plumbing supply store, a glass shop, and the local newspaper. I always go into the business and ask if pallets are free for the taking. Most often, the business is thrilled that someone wants to take pallets off their hands. Also, pallets are often listed in the free section of classified ads. Once you find a couple of good sources, you will know where to look for the perfect pallet for a particular project.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN PICKING PALLETS

After you discover where to find free pallets, you need to know what to look for, because not all pallets are created equal. Most important: Look for the IPPC (International Plant Protection Convention) label or the HT stamp on the pallet.