Friday 18 July 2014

Pallets of dreams

A few days ago, I mentioned that I was having a go at dismantling a pallet for the first time, despite being allergic to all things DIY. This drastic action was precipitated by Our Lass's requirement for a potting bench, so that she can make best use of any seeds/seedlings/cuttings that come her way.

In all, I had to blitz three pallets which, happily, gave me the opportunity to revise my opinion of the Tense tool-of-choice for this task. Pallets two and three came apart much easier following the tactical substitution of the garden spade for a brick bolster chisel. Much care and effort were still required if the end result wasn't to resemble a pile of splinters, but damage to pallet and Yours Truly was at least reduced to tolerable levels.

The two largest pallets were re-used as the upper and lower frames, the four legs and work surface, with a smaller pallet donating the lower shelf. Wood screws from my Lifetime of Spare Fixings collection were used to fasten all the parts together, though how someone as hapless at DIY as myself could be in possession of so many fixings is a bit of a mystery. 

As upcycling projects go, I think this was a success. Our Lass is certainly pleased (it could just be shock that I've constructed something without a visit to hospital). I guess the message here is that if I can do it, then just about anyone can.

It's always good to learn new skills and gain experience. For instance, I didn't realise that three pallets were held together by this many nails.


There are also a few intact rails remaining for the next project that gallops over the horizon, as well as a small box of kindling which may end up as a present for some unsuspecting wood-burning stove owner.


But, finally, here it is, the OTT upcycled potting bench...


I made this!

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hidden talents. I knew you could do it.From DIY in your previous life!!
Cpt. Sundial

Imperfect and Tense said...

Thank you for your faith in my abilities, Captain S.

Wood is not my medium. Words, yes, wood, no.

And the chisel will come in handy for some of my paragraphs, too.

Sarah said...

Wow!! Looks great :) Now where's mine? lol xx

Martin said...

Very impressive.

I assume your brick chisel is the 2cm wide, chunky metal chisel? On this assumption I can recommend the purchase of a wide bladed one too (c10cm wide blade). The later is much better at getting into small cracks in wood if you happen to be splitting logs (or pallets). The fat one can then be inserted in any newly opened gap to allow you to free the thin one. And continue along the crack...
I was an axe-wielding teenager!

Imperfect and Tense said...

Sarah, I suspect yours is still hiding inside a stack of pallets on Teesside!

Imperfect and Tense said...

Martin, It's the larger one, and you're correct, it works spiffingly well.

Sian said...

OOOoh I have potting bench envy!!!

Sarah said...

Yep waiting for Chris to build it haha. Hell will freeze over first!

Imperfect and Tense said...

Sian, I'm not sure that I could float one across to Graemsay?

Imperfect and Tense said...

Sarah, you save Chris the bother of borrowing yer Dad's tools and ask yer Dad!

biobabbler said...

OOOoooh, that is most excellent!

I've seen SO many ideas on Pinterest re: amazing things to build w/pallets, but WHERE is MY PALLET FAIRY? They aren't just flung aside, willy nilly, here, so clearly I am missing some vein, some portal where one can dip a small net and fish out a pile o' pallets. Hm...

(however, once again, FABULOUS work! =) )

Imperfect and Tense said...

[Sketches diagram of large, sea-going pile of pallets, then looks at atlas of the world]

It's a long shot, but it might just work...