Pallet Trunk

Now that i've got a decent sized room, I needed some furniture to fill it. Not only did I need some more storage space, I also needed a coffee table, so I thought, why not knock out two birds with one stone. Using some old pallets I was able to throw together this trunk using a design similar to a trunk my father owns. It's exactly what I was looking for.

In this instructable, I didn't include any measurements. I put out this instructable assuming that people will use measurements that suit their needs. I feel that i've provided sufficient pictures and instructions to allow for readers to figure out how to construct their own. Make sure that you look through the entire instructable before starting.

This is one of my first instructables, so let me know what could be improved upon. Excuse the mediocre photos, I don't have a very good camera. If you have any questions feel free to ask.

Step 1: Materials/Tools

Materials:
 - 2 Pallets (I got mine free from a construction site, just make sure you ask before you take)
 - Nails & Screws (You can use whatever you want, but i used 1 1/2" and 2" finish nails and 1" dry wall screws)
 - Scrap piece of plywood

Tools:
 - Table Saw
 - Chop Saw
 - Hammer
 - Power Drill
 - Reciprocating Saw

Comments

[SacredDemon]

Also even if they ARE sturdy pallets are a challenge to pry apart, Trust me i've been trying haha

[SacredDemon]

Edit: Found out the wonders of a metal cutting blade on a sawzall!

[Meadman83]

When my wife and I lived in northern Illinois (until recently), a local machine shop would leave pallets out by the end of their parking lot with a free firewood sign on them.

Most of what we took heated the house, but occasionally some really nice wood emerged from the pile. Even got a couple of pallets made from black walnut.

[Meadman83]

Sorry, I liked the article, too. :)

Your trunk reminds me very much of the only thing my dad ever built for me, a toy chest out of pallet wood, which my great nephew now has for his toys.

[Edgar]

That's a great idea for outdoors storage, too! Just paint it and weatherize it, and make it stackable, with side lids, and a part of your backyard turns into a wharehouse.

[Edgar]

Your Idea is divulged, here, on my Gizmo Blog:
http://faz-voce-mesmo.blogspot.pt/2012/10/portugal-ole-e-arrumar-tralha-3d-brava.html

[VonyB]

Hey quick (and possibly silly) question: when you said you attached the base using nails, where did you nail it in? I'm totally new to DIY, and can't see how you've nailed in the base!

[ProRock]

Yeah, it's kindof hard to see, but i used nails around the bottom edge of the trunk. They went through the trim and the slats into the plywood. Make sure your nails are pretty long, otherwise you won't get much stability.

[tecc501]

thanks for a great instructable! your creativity on this is great. i used some pallet wood to make a box quite like yours but different.
thanks again

[ProRock]

Due to the fact that the hinges were rusted, the door doesn't close like normal door hinges would. I have to push the lid all the way shut in order to get it closed. You shouldn't have a problem with the lid slamming down unless you use brand new hinges.

[jtmcdole]

That recall link had a 0.0006% issue rate; neither of those cases were fatal. You are 75 times more likely to kill yourself slipping in a shower than having a child get injured by a hinge drop. There is no legal requirement for such specialty hinges, and he's not making these commercially.

[dkiehl]

I agree, but why take a chance for $1.00 or $2.00? Would you risk your child's life for $2.00? Just a suggestion or to enlighten people that might not think of such a thing. Oh & by the way my Uncle died in the spring of 2011 from a fall in the shower.

[danzo321]

It is considered a bad idea to nail or screw into the edgegrain of plywood, which we are both stumbling into here. Gluing is fine.

[danzo321]

Thinking.. If you had cut bottom as soon as you made the rectangles, you could have put it in place at bottom and upright side pieces could have sat on it, maybe a more elegant construction. I might have used slats for bottom but it would leak whatever.

[ProRock]

I see what you mean. That would work for sure. I lined the interior of mine so you can't see the bottom from the inside, and I wasn't planning on people seeing the bottom very often, which is why I did mine this way.
The only drawback of your idea would be that the side slats wouldn't be as sturdy when screwed into the rectangle around the bottom. But I'm sure that you could combat this problem pretty easily.

[Ninzerbean]

Thank you ever so much for sharing this, it is really great.

[maxman]

Very nice. You could sell those.

[outdooradventureman]

I have built a few of these. You can make them look really nice with the right type of wood from the pallet. I always use the hardwood boards, but if you take it slow you can make a blade and a saw last a long time. If you dont sand it watch out for splinters.

[BigPeteCT]

Way to go, if this means anything, you get a "Green Star". This is making use of what would go ina landfill, and two creating something both useful and beautiful. WAY TO GO!,

Pete

[colin37]

I like that. Please could some one tell me what is a reciprocating saw? (used to cut the mails).
Thanks

[ProRock]

You might know it as a sawzall. Here is the wikipedia page http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reciprocating_saw

[redknight1971]

I love this idea.

[Eh Lie Us!]

Right on, Donkey Kong! Great instructable. I like how you attached the wood screws from the inside. Very clean look. The rusty hinges are a great touch! From the outside the trunk looks like it's decades old. Might want to explain to people that might not know what 'ripping' wood is. What's your take on what some are saying that pallets are unsafe and toxic? I'm a big fan of reusing wood but I'd be curious to know what you think.

[ProRock]

I didn't really think about that when I started my project. But I'm not to worried about it anyway due to the fact that the pallets that I used were very old and had been sitting outside in the weather for quite a few months. They also didn't have any markings on them saying that they had been treated.
I noticed some other instructables that talked about disassembling pallets and what to look for. They did talk about some pallets being treated so that they last longer. If that is something your worried about, check out this instructable http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-determine-if-a-wood-pallet-is-safe-for-use/.

[jtmcdole]

I think this looks awesome and is a great use for reclaimed wood! I wish I had used some of my scrap hardwood flooring to try out this idea. Thanks for sharing!

[dkiehl]

That is a great idea... I just used my last remaining hardwood flooring at my daughters Condo. Oh well something to start looking for on Craigslist

[ProRock]

There's always people on craigslist getting rid of pallets. I've been looking for some more on there and have had many choices to choose from.

[steelchef]

Looks like a nice, simple way to make use of old pallets. But: CAUTION ! If you attempt ths or any other project using pallets be aware that many of them are hardwood and will ruin a saw blade, even burn out a motor in no time. Carbide blades are not immune. Unless you have an industrial strength table saw, approach any hardwood with a very slow feed speed. Do not allow the RPM to drop too much or for too long. Change blades if you smell smoke o see scorching on the cuts.
Personal experience! Cost me $300 for a new table saw. :(

[kleinjahr]

Not bad at all, nicely done.
For the top, you might consider using an odd number of boards ie: five rather than four. For some reason it just looks more aesthetically pleasing.

[Takelababy]

Add a couple of big cushions and voila - extra seating.

[ProRock]

I never thought about it like that, but in a pinch it would work great.

[l8nite]

very rustic looking trunk, I love it ! Thank you for sharing

[cerene]

Really love it!

[jessyratfink]

Best use of a pallet I've seen so far! I've been wanting a trunk to put my sewing/craft things in, and this looks perfect.