From Pallet to Pot Rack

This is my first Instructable, so be gentle. It amounts to this: at work one fine morning, I was taking a gander at a drywall pallet, that had some mighty fine logs to it. I thought to myself, well golly, I could make something with that! Voila, one evening later, I had a simple potrack. I posted this once on Craftster, but am thinking this may be a better venue for this sort of project.

Step 1: Aquire a log

Any appealing peice of wood will work. I aquired mine from the bottom of a drywall pallet, so the cost was nil. When looking for wood, be sure to keep in mind how much space you have for hanging your pot rack.

Comments

[cwellet]

Thanks I was looking for something simple like this to set up in my kitchen to hang some plants. I might have to put and extra chain in the middle and figure out where to get a nice log like yours, but I love this and can't wait to make one!

[BonifaceJ]

Hey Happy Cricket - First, looks great! Trying to figure out where in my little galley kitchen to hang one - can't stand having to dig through the cupboards every time.

Quick note: Now all you need is a hanging system for the lids. I've seen some wire ones that turn out pretty good, that could go right on the side of the cabinet there. Ideas?

[leander37]

This looks good. One suggestion I have is that from the looks of it you might have wanted to use larger eye hooks to make sure you are grabbing into a structural member (door header) and not hanging the pots off of the door trim.

[GeekTinker]

Your instructable inspired me to create this hanging pot rack out of a piece of aluminum crash bar from a business door. It was left over after the construction workers cut off parts of it for the two doors. They were going to throw it out. I claimed it several years ago and finally found a permanent use for it. The chains and S hooks paired with the aluminum give it a very "industrial" look that I enjoy. I used less than 10 feet of chain to attach it with hooks to the beams in the ceiling. Two large S hooks were inserted into holes that I drilled through the ends of the crash bar. Smaller S hooks were used for the chains for each pot/pan. It's very handy to have the pots stored out of the way.

[22tpring]

Hi Happy Cricket: Thank you for the response. That was my only apprehension about starting this project because I didn't have a solution to my perceived problem. Hmmm...maybe I'll do this in front of my kitchen window as I have nothing hanging there in the way of window treatments and a tall ceiling (I'm 5' 11" so getting to high hanging pots/pans won't be a problem).

[jerbtown]

Super! Post pics if you go through with it!

[22tpring]

Don't know if this is a comment or meant as a question. I imagine that the chain would have a lot of movement and make it hard to get the pots on and off the hooks. I have a commercially made pot rack that does not move and have thought many a time how annoying it would be if I had to fight with a "floating" pot rack. I don't know what the solution to the problem would be however. I love this idea as I had an endless supply of free wood scraps and want to build something in my rustic cabin. Thank you !

[jerbtown]

Actually, having been using it now for some time, I've never had a problem - it doesn't even swing back and forth. In fact, my dear wife, who is much shorter than I am, and has to reach on her tip toes and across the counter to grab something has no trouble. Since I made this, I actually ended up putting hooks on the end of the log as well, for holding measuring cups and tongs.

[Culturedropout]

One word of caution - be sure not to use treated lumber for a project like this; most if not all of it contains toxic chemicals that could get into the food.

[dcshoeco33]

Why the hell does everyone say that. ITS SO ANNOYING ..."this is my first instructable so be gentle." GOD dAMN PEOPLE STFU ABOUT THAT ITS ANNOYINg. plus, dont you want comments anf criticism.

[static]

Good grief. The request was to be gentle, NOT to withhold comments and criticism. Life is much easier when you figure out most of the annoyances are the small stuff not worth sweating.

[TheCheese9921]

amen amen realy if its your first then you be introduced to the criticism and whattever if its crappy then dont post it, it makes you sound like a dumb noob when you say to be nice

[jerbtown]

You know.. it's a figure of speech. Look at is as an easy opening. Sort of like ending every paper back in High School with, "In conclusion". Perhaps my next Instructible will be titled "HOW TO NOTSZ LOOK LIEK A DUMB NOOBZOZRS!!!!1!!11!!"

[Jafafa Hots]

I promise, when I post my first one I'll say "This is my first time and I want it hard and rough." ok?

[jerbtown]

Take a deep breath. Everything will be alright.

[trebuchet03]

no worries ;) s/he'll get over it. And it's fine to say it -- I think the reason people are inclined to do so is a direct result of the clowns that post garbage and get flamed... But no worries, this is perfect for instructables and a great use of recycled materials. I wonder if they make brass caps that would fit over the ends of the log there -- just a finishing touch. As it ages, it will get a weathered antique kind of look (unless you clear coat it).

[CementTruck]

105mm Howitzer casings can sometimes be found at swap meets and Army surplus stores. I think that's about the right size. You could get 2, cut the primer ends off and use them for the end caps. , You could also cut the rest of the shell casing into bands, and slip a few of them over the log at 6"(or so)increments.

[jerbtown]

Thank you for posting a reply that is actually about my Instructable. Brass caps would be nice... it was difficult to stain the ends as the stain just soaked right in. Thanks for the idea.

[Crash2108]

A lathe wouldn't be a bad tool for this.

[static]

Personally I like the unadorned look of this finished project. The landscape timber does bring it a step above a squared timber. Anyway if one hasn't a lathe, a saw and chisel can be used to add decorative elements similar to what a lathe can do. That method and decorative tacks instead large brass pieces would better keep a rustic feel. The again you can never go wrong with clean and simple, IMO...

[Wade Tarzia]

Nice idea. I think the waste of wood in shipping pallets is one of America's unsung crimes!

[origamiguy]

DADGONE! That is really cool...my most fav thing to do is make something out of nothing that is why I love the Junk Brothers show on TV...well, have you made the swing out of skids yet? The lumber yard up the street piles all their skids in the back and burns them. I try to get a truck load every month for kindling and to save for making useful items....they make great doghouses, too. U did a nice job on your pot hanger :<)

[meddler]

Your pardon, the word is write a sentence not right a sentence. I was mad i guesss, still better done than some of the nasty posters above.

[jerbtown]

It's all good, and thanks for the reply. I have another idea for a different style of rack that I may break down and do soon...

[meddler]

That's right let em have it. To many people with 9th grade maturity lavels talkin entirely to much and not helping this site at all. P.S. some people who commented ought to pay more attention in class and learn things like: Vocabulary, and how to right a sentence. I thought it was a great idea happy cricket, keep up the good work.