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    Home » pallet projects » Stackable Pallet Crates

    Stackable Pallet Crates

    Published by Gail | Published April 3, 2015 | Updated May 16, 2021
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    Hello! Remember a couple weeks ago when I shared my Cheap Cabinet into Nice Bench? Well today I am going to share my Stackable Pallet Crates that I made to go inside the bench cubbies.

    MyLove2Create, Stackable Pallet Crates


    First of all if you follow me at MyLove2Create you know I LOVE crates! So when I turned the cheap cabinet into a bench I knew exactly what to put inside...
    broken up pallets
    I wanted to make these crates from free wood and my husband had a few pallets at his work, so I brought them home and set to work cutting them up with my sawzall.
    cutting crate legs from 1x2's
    I have always wanted to try making stackable crates. I love the idea of having a "crate dresser" so I thought I would try it with these crates, even though they will be inside a bench.
    For the inside supports I needed 1x2 boards so I gathered as many as I could from my scrap wood pile that were over 11 ½ inches (top left). I measured and cut 12 at 11 ½ inches. I got this length from measuring the inside of my cubbies, you can make them any size you want. 🙂
    measuring old shelf plywood to cut 1x2 strips
    To make the crates stackable, they needed some little feet that would fit into the top of the crate it would be stacked on. I needed some longer 1x2's but I was out. So the next best thing? Improvise! I grabbed this old plywood shelf covered in very old contact paper, it peeled off very easily, thank goodness. I cut it to the length I needed and used a 1x2 to mark strips.
    cutting 1x2 plywood strips
    Then I ripped them with my Ryobi circular saw. This gave me a bottom support piece for the crates. I needed two for each crate so I cut 6.
    attaching side supports with pocket holes for making crates
    I drilled pocket holes into each side of the plywood strips (top left). Then I marked the side support 1x2's with a mark ½'' from the bottom of each piece (top right). I glued and attached the plywood strips at my ½'' mark to connect them to the side supports (bottom left). I was left with 6 support pieces, two for each crate (bottom right).
    pallet wood cut and sanded to build crates
    I measured and cut all my pallet wood for the sides of my crate.
    sanding pallet wood
    I thought you would appreciate the difference a good sanding makes in pallet wood, the left side is sanded the right is not. Amazing isn't it?!
    stain pallet wood with weathered gray
    Since I had done the top of the bench in Rustoleum's Weathered Gray I thought the crates would look good in the same color. The pallet wood took the stain a little darker, since it is a rougher wood, it soaked it in a little more than the pine. I still love the color though!
    creating 12'' spacers for stackable crate
    With all the boards stained it was time to build, yay! I stared with two side supports and a bottom side board (top left). I forgot to show a photo, but I used a scrap ½ inch board to set my pallet board on top of while I nailed it to the support boards. That ensured I had the little ½'' feet for stacking. In the top right photo I used the same board as a space for the top board to make sure I left room for the feet to stack into. You can see the ½ gap in the bottom left photo. On the bottom right I am pointing to the ½ little feet. I hope that makes since. 🙂
    adding pallet planks to crate
    Next I added the middle boards on each side (top left), I just eye balled it. Then it was time to add the long front and back pallet planks. I made sure to use Gorilla wood glue for a strong hold and finishing nails.
    plywood crate bottoms cut and stained
    With the crates all built they just needed some bottoms! I had some thin scrap plywood I cut into bigger planks.
    glue and nail on crate bottom planks
    I glued and nailed them inside of the crates onto the 1x2 plywood strips. All done!
    Stackable Pallet Crates in bench
    I couldn't wait to try it in my bench, they fit perfectly! You can see the difference in the color of the stain on the crates compared to the top, but I am ok with it. 🙂
    close up of rope handle
    I really wasn't sure that I wanted a permanent handle, and I didn't like how the ones I had looked with the crates so I tried something new. I just grabbed a rope and tied them around the top boards of each crate. I could have used hot glue to secure them, but for now I like how random they look, kind of beachy or nautical, which I think is the feel of this whole bench.
     pulling out crate by rope handle
    The knots actually hold pretty good when you pull, so it works. 🙂
    bench with crates and rope handles
    It gives them a little character.
    Stackable Pallet Crates
    Here they are in their new home ready to be filled up.
    MyLove2Create, Stackable Pallet Crates
    These crates will pack a good amount of storage, perfect for keeping organized. They could be filled with anything!
    Stackable Pallet Crates, stacked on top of each other
    I think they look great stacked! This is a perfect way to get some vertical storage in a small space, plus it's cute too! If you want the crates to look evenly spaced throughout, you can see they sit flush on top of each other, you would simply add more length to the legs on the bottom. A simple fix, and the best part of DIY, you can do it the way you want!
    MyLove2Create, Stackable Pallet Crates
    My crates are pretty large 18 ½'' wide by 12'' deep and 12" tall, but you could make them any size you want, bigger or smaller to fit your needs.
    For more fun crate inspiration check out my 20+ DIY Crates! Have you built any crates lately?
    Hugs!
    Mindi

    Click Here for more information about dismantling pallets.

    see more of Mindi's posts on MRL below:
    [categorythumbnaillist 274]

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    About Mindi

    Mindi is a wife, mother, runner, dancer, and a lover of all things fun and DIY.

    A few years ago she discovered blogs and fell in love with the idea that she could do things she had always dreamed of doing. Like build furniture from pallets, and make cool projects for her home.... Mindi was inspired by other bloggers that empowered her to create.

    Mindi decided to give back and possibly reach someone out there that has a desire to create like herself. She believes we all have that desire in some form or another, and we all DO create in our own way, every day. Whether it be crafty or not, even creating happiness in others is a gift that many share.

    Mindi loves to learn and use that knowledge to make beautiful and useful things for her home.

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    1. Julie @ follow your heart woodworking

      April 04, 2015 at 5:48 pm

      Great as usual! As I said before, I love the colour (whether it's a bit different than the top or not!)

      Reply
    2. gail

      April 03, 2015 at 8:49 am

      Mindi,

      I love, love, love your free diy stackable pallet crates. They look fabulous in your bench. It's so hard to believe I've yet to do a pallet project. I need to get busy.
      gail

      Reply
    3. Tammy

      April 03, 2015 at 8:04 am

      Looks good..

      Reply
    4. Tracy@www.bluridgevintage.com

      April 03, 2015 at 7:22 am

      This is a great pallet project. The crates fit your bench like a glove and the little rope pulls are just what they need. I love pallet wood creations, they seem very versital. You have so many great projects, where do you have room for them all?

      Reply

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    Hi, there! I’m Gail Wilson, the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. I’m obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believe that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again—myself included! I hope you’ll enjoy the journey and pick up a few tools along the way… literally!

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