Make a Rustic Shadow Box, pallet lumber

This guide will teach you everything you need to know to make a great rustic shadow box.  You can use it yourself or even give it as a gift.  All the ladies in my life love them, my wife, mom, mother-in-law, grandmothers, etc.  If they don't have a few of them they are always asking, if they have a few they want more!!

Here is the best part of this project... it can be done for very little money.  Just a little bit of elbow grease!

If you like this, but really just don't want to make it you can always visit my Etsy shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/HoodWoodWork 


You will need the following to complete this project:

- One pallet 
- Saws power or strong arm
- Pry Bar
- Hammer
- Nails
-Glue  (optional)
-Sandpaper (optional)
- Finish (optional)

Step 1: Choose your materials

A quick word on pallets, most places will give them to you for free.  Always be sure to ask first!

Pick up a few that are clean and not too broken up.  Also check carefully for the tag, see the picture the one with the HT on it is the one you want.  This means the pallet wood was heat treated, not chemical treated. 

Comments

[kifany]

Excellent work :)

[pfred2]

If you planed the pallet wood then it wouldn't be rustic anymore.

http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/9900/sb003.jpg

100% pure pallet wood. You never know what some of that pallet wood is until you clean it up.

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/7693/sb1001.jpg

Flame maple.

[hoodwoodwork]

I agree, the purpose of this article was a rustic project, I have planed down a pallet or two in the past...... but hardwoods are plentiful and relatively inexpensive around here.

And you are correct if you factor in your time, "free" does not always mean no cost!!!

[bigmark]

That would be a great DVD or video game storage rack for our kid's play room...I'll defiantly try this...Thank's & great job!!!

[hoodwoodwork]

bigmark,

Just make sure you go bigger, should be easy enough.... as sized it might not fit many of them, but if you are using free (pallet) lumber then using more of it should not increase the cost!!

[pfred2]

"Free" wood is anything but. I was reminded of this again today when I picked up some "free" wood someone had left out. All I had to do after I got it home was delaminate the top, pop about 20 carriage bolts out of it, then scrape construction glue off of it, and pop a load of pneumatic brads out of it too. Then I ended up with a half a sheet of plywood. Well, it is still painted on one side ... but other than that, just free for the taking!

[hoodwoodwork]

Thanks ma'am, I appreciate the feedback!!

[jessyratfink]

What an awesome use for a pallet. Looks great!