Frugal Friday - Pallets and Wood Scraps (Part of Crafting a Creative Summer)

For our final frugal Friday this summer, I thought we could explore one more potential source of free or inexpensive crafting materials: Pallets. Often you can find old pallets for free at construction sites, grocery stores, home improvement stores and such, keep in mind just because they may be stacked outside near a garbage bin, does not mean they are available so always check before you take any. Some construction sites or home improvement stores may also have other wood scraps available for free or at a discount.

Pallets can be used for a wide range of crafts, typically rustic, these crafts can range from small decorative pieces and storage solutions to larger wall art or even furniture. Pallets are also suitable for indoor or outdoor applications. If you want to try pallet art, but aren’t sure what to make there are lots of ideas about how you can repurpose pallets online.

Before you begin working with pallets there are a few things to remember:

• Some pallets are treated with toxic substances like methyl bromide(MB), or sulfuryl fluoride (SF) and will typically be marked with MB or SF. Avoid any such pallets.

• Watch for pallets that have excessive nails, screws, or even stains, especially oil stains as these may be difficult to cover.

• Blue pallets are typically owned by a pallet company and leased, so these won’t be the ones you are able to take.

• Keep in mind the wood from which pallets are made may degrade quickly outdoors, within months to a few years. As pallet wood is typically not treated to prevent rot or insects, It’s typically recommended that you use a wood sealant or finish whenever working with pallet wood.

• This wood is also typically not in furniture ready condition so will require care to make it more aesthetically pleasing. You may even need parts from multiple pallets to make one complete pallet in good condition.
  
  

Once you have pallets you will likely use things like a hammer, pry bar, sandpaper, drill and/or saw to transform them into your desired project. Remember to protect yourself and wear gloves to avoid splinters or other injuries when handling pallets. You may also want a nail puller to help remove some of the nails which is likely to be your first task. Next, while you may want to keep the rustic aesthetic it can still be a good idea to sand the wood to remove splinters as well as creating a smooth surface for painting or staining. If you need to dismantle the original pallet carefully use a pry bar and gently separate the boards from the pallet. Once your project is completed keep in mind the ultimate use and location of your project when selecting a paint or stain, for example outdoor applications may require weatherproof options. 

Pallets can be a budget friendly arts and crafts material, but as with many of our frugal finds this summer, will take a bit of work to transform into your very own masterpiece.
 

Do you like the rustic aesthetic of pallet art?
Have you ever worked with pallets? What did you make?
Don’t forget to share your work with us!

Part of Crafting a Creative Summer