Did you know you can build a fence from pallets with relative ease? Thanks to “Totally Awesome Fishing” you’re about to find out how. The greatest part of this project is that you don’t have to spend hours doing the hardest part of pallet projects, dismantling pallets! At least not in the way you are thinking.
Click here for easy pallet dismantling tips.
It seems like everyone dreams of the house, dog, and white picket fence around the yard. And of course, not all of us who dream, ever fulfill that ambition. The fact is, houses, dogs, and picket fences cost money…
However, the housing market is improving, you can rescue a dog for free, and after reading this article, you can build a picket fence for next to nothing!
Let’s begin…
What You’ll Need
- Sawzall or Reciprocating Saw with wood blades.
- Hearing Protection, Safety Glasses, Dust Mask, Work Gloves
- Pry Bar, Hammer, Screwdriver
- Marker Pen or Pencil
- Tape Measure
- 4 in Nails
- A Bunch of Pallets
1. Find Pallets
Really, the first thing you need to do is determine the size of your fence so you know how many pallets you need. Once the size is determined, try to find pallets that are the same size and layout (or as close as you can).
Honestly, finding the right pallets will be the hardest part of this entire project.
Here’s 10 tips for finding free pallets.
2. Remove Nails or Staples From One Slat
Some pallets are constructed using nails and some using long heavy-duty staples. If you can find pallets with staples this step will be much easier.
Basically, you need to remove one slat (the same size as the slats you’ll use for the fence). You are going to be using this slat as a template to mark and cut the rest of your pallets.
If you cannot find pallets with staples, you can use a metal sawzall blade to cut the nails attaching the slats to the base of the pallet. This is a little harder, but certainly manageable.
3. Create Picket Fence Template
Once you have your slat removed from the pallet, you’ll need to measure for the basic “picket fence” design. Just measure 30″ on the sides and 32″ in the center of your template piece, then use a straight edge to connect the dots.
Naturally, you can just measure all of you pallets at the same length and have a straight edge at the top of your fence. If you decide to do this, you can basically skip steps 2 & 3 and continue proceed to step 4!
4. Mark and Cut Picket Design on Pallet
Using your template, trace the edge onto all of the slats on your pallet, ensuring the template lines up with the slats you are going to cut. Next, just use your sawzall to cut along the lines. Be careful.
5. Remove Backing
Now, take your sawzall and cut away as much of the access wood on the backside of your pallet as you can, leaving the 2 pieces holding all of your slats together.
6. Check out Your Awesome Bonus Garden Border
The cool thing about this project is that the portion of the pallet you cut away in step 4, can be used as a border for a garden or flower bed! Pretty cool, huh?
7. Prepare Your Fence Stake & Drive Into Ground
This is probably the only lumber you’ll have to purchase, depending on your stockpile of available pallets. I recommend using a treated 4×4 that is pre-cut for fencing. However, you can use some of the larger structural pieces of your pallet if you have some.
If you are making them yourself, be sure to cut each side of your stake the same length. If you do not, the stake will incrementally wander to the longer side each time you drive it into the ground.
8. Attach Fence to Stake
Everyone has a different idea of how they want their fence to look. Now that you have all the materials, you just need to drive your stakes, and attach your new fence (using nails or screws).
Try to keep your fence about 2-3 inches off the ground to prevent it from soaking up all the ground water, and rotting away. If you do that, and put some type of protection (stain, paint) over it, this fence should last you for years (depending on the climate).
As always, make this project your own. You can use different designs rather than the standard “picket fence” look, stain your fence, or just go with the traditional white paint.
Watch the video for the full, and rather humorous tutorial.
Just remember, you just built a fence, and for basically nothing. If I were you, I’d be feeling pretty good right now.
Time to let the dog off the leash…
Click here for creative ideas on how to make and sell things online.
