From the page: The pallet hides amazing furniture
Idea 3
Stackable crate
The crate is a classic of old farms and warehouses, made from the narrower boards left over from construction jobs. It works because the overlapping of the sides at the edges creates a joint that locks the weight by compression: the more you stack and fill, the firmer the structure gets.
What you need
- Disassembled pallet (boards and slats)
- Hammer and crowbar or pry bar for disassembly
- Hand saw or jigsaw
- Nails or screws (screws hold better)
- Drill or screwdriver
- Tape measure and pencil
- Medium sandpaper
How to make it
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1
Disassemble the pallet carefully, resting the crowbar at the nail joints and tapping lightly to loosen the boards without cracking them — sound wood is worth the effort.
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2
Cut 8 identical boards for the sides (e.g., 40 cm) and 4 for the bottom; standardizing the measurements is what guarantees the crates stack aligned.
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3
Assemble two L-shaped faces with screws and join them to form the box; also screw an inner slat into each corner, which works as a square and reinforcement.
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4
Screw the bottom from below, passing through into the side slats — that way the weight of the contents doesn't pull only on the nails of the bottom boards.
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5
Sand the edges and corners, which is where wood splinters come loose.
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6
To stack safely, offset each crate half its length over the one below, alternating direction, or fasten them together with two screws.
Finishing touches
One coat of boiled linseed oil (it seals the wood against moisture) is enough for the rustic look. Stacked, they become a bookcase, pantry or toy storage; with casters underneath, they become rolling chests.
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