American Flag Pallet

Intro: American Flag Pallet

This instructable shows you how to make a hanging American flag from a pallet, It doesn't take too long and isn't too difficult, so enjoy!

Tools/Items Required:

• Saw
• Hammer
• Nails
• Sand paper
• box cutter
• Printer
• Ruler
• Masking tape
• Paint - red/white/Blue
• Varnish

STEP 1: Setting Up the Pallet

• Strip off all the wood except for the 3 vertical beams and the lowest horizontal beam.
• Sand down all the beams so it has a smooth finish.
• Place the beams one above the other as in figure 2 and hammer into place.

I used 9 vertical slats which gave me a near proportional flag, I used this website as a guide:

http://www.usflag.org/flagspecs.html

It also helps when painting to get dimensions right.

Cut off the excess vertical beams and sand down all the edges.

STEP 2: Painting - Red, White and Blue

Mark of the areas to paint with masking tape using the proportions from the website:

http://www.usflag.org/flagspecs.html

I chose to use each beam as the stripes which is not exactly like the flag but it makes for easier painting.

I used spray paint because its quicker and cheaper then wood paint, I also didn't use a primer because I wanted the wood to show through which adds to the weathered look.

First do Blue, Then White stars, Then red.

I decided not to do white stripes and rather use the natural colour of the wood.

STEP 3: Stars

Again the stars are not accurate with the correct proportions, but I felt it looked better this way for displaying.

There should be 50 stars, but thats a lot to fit.

Side note..

Originally in 1777. The blue canton contained 13 stars, representing the original 13 colonies, in a circular fashion.

From then on stars were added for each state, so this flag would be from the mid 1800's.

Use Ms Word to make a star template and print it.

Cut out the stars with a ruler and box cutter. Use this as a stencil.

Do touch ups if necessary.

STEP 4: Finishes

If you want to make the finish more rustic, then you can sand down the surface a bit. Else just varnish over the paint for a smooth finish. I left the wood untreated which gives a nice contrast.

Finally screw in 2 screws at the back on either side and use hanging wire to hang it on the wall.

Comments

[hankhendriks1950]

There should be 13 stripes.
Representing the 13 original colonies/states2.

[SusanH20]

Hi BlueBean, do you remember what color blue you used?

[alaaaaaaaaan]

What would you estimate the final weight of this to be using your dimensions? Great work by the way!

[bluebean]

Don't know for sure, round 5kgs? its not light I used a 80x100mm screw and anchor to hang it.

[jcharles11]

Stripes on the flag are wrong.

[bluebean]

I mentioned that myself, thanks

[AndrewM4]

also your's looks quite amazing if I don't say so myself.

[bluebean]

thank you

[AndrewM4]

I need them dimentions

[bluebean]

120cm wide x 70cm high

[AndrewM4]

what is the width and the length

[lone torch studio]

This is a great idea. I have a bunch of hay pallets that will now look fabulous!

[ridgepablo]

looks like you had fun. Being from one of the original 13 colonies (!) I'd want to have 13 stripes though. Which would make it a lot larger to maintain proportions unless you ripped the boards to narrow them. thanks for sharing.

[to'bryant]

Looks Great!

[wilgubeast]

Awesome! 1846's version of the US flag with a fresh Texan star added to the mix.

[bluebean]

Haha, spot on!

[Porda]

I love the vintage American look. Nice work.

[bluebean]

Thanks!