Pallets are a really good resource for those among us who can get them, one such person being me from the loading dock of my local newspaper I have made 12 compost boxes by standing them upright and tying them together with clothesline and filling them with leaves and other materials. I've seen hog pens made with them and know several people who get them simply to burn.

Under the geese shelter category was posted a site with some pallet recycling ideas but my browsers could not access this site, whine, whine. Could the person who can get to the site kindly copy those ideas here in this thread?

Have any of you built something ingenious with pallets? I sure would like to know of more ways that I could use them! I'm especially interested in building a chick coop. Uses, by the way, for a novice carpenter ready to graduate from clothesline attachments to actual nails, as in carpentry for dummies!

-- Elizabeth Petofi (tengri@cstone.net), April 04, 2000

Answers

A former neighbor used them strung on heavy cable top and bottom between steel posts to build a nearly indestructible fence. She also tore them apart and used the top boards for board and batten walls for her barn. Since the walls were taller than the boards, she nailed up the bottom batch, then overlapped top as you would shingles. She could accomplish almost any building project that could be adapted to the shorter boards. Her husband brought them home by the truck load from his job so she had plenty and put her children to work taking them apart and pulling nails. I do think she also had one of those electronic gadgets that warn you of missed nails, staples etc. so you don't damage saw blades. Good luck.

-- marilyn (rainbow@ktis.net), April 04, 2000.

I read in a strawbale building book that you can use them over a gravel base for a low-tech foundation for a strawbale shed. You stack the straw bales on after nailing down your choice of flooring.

-- Judy Bowman (bowman61@altavista.com), April 04, 2000.

Elizabeth:

http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=002TKE

is the thread. You probably can cut and paste the above (right mouse click, copy, right mouse click, paste) onto the address header on your browser. If it doesn't work, let me know, and I will copy at least what I wrote back to you re: pallets and housing. I would copy it all, but I don't think it works. If anyone wants to hot link this by all means do so.

-- sheepish (rborgo@gte.net), April 04, 2000.

I have used pallets in many ways. I keep my sheep in a port-a-hut 14 feet wide. I use them for a wall and gate along the open side. Just pound in two t-posts for each pallet, lift them up and over, and try to get them as close together as possible. Usually three will span across the front. The one in the middle is used as a swing gate with only one t-post. This works great for keeping them in when you need to and for breaking a little bit of the weather in the winter. I have also used pallets for flooring, then put hay on top. The "barn" has a dirt floor, and it saves the bottom layer of hay from spoiling. We have also used them for temporary poultry shelters with a tarp (don't use these if you can help it) over it.

-- Jenny Buttke (rdb@ticon.net), April 04, 2000.

Countryside had an article, some years ago, with photos of 'pallet fencing', it was great! Are we good with free stuff, or what!? Honey and I use them for firewood, mostly. Some pallets we've come across are 2 x 4's, nailed to 4 x 4's! Those are taken apart and used for all sorts of things, garden borders, little tables, minor repairs to this or that.

-- Kathy (catfish@bestweb.net), April 04, 2000.

I have used them for all the above, especially hog pens. Ten years ago I had a CS pen-pal who lived in AK. he told me that he built his house out of pallets, as well as a 2-story building which he used for a library, I have often thought of that but can't figure out how he did it. The pallets I get are mostly made from hardwoods, ash, beech, maple, the nails come out hard and go in even harder. when I use them for fence, I use 3,T-posts for 2 pallets, with the over hanging ends on the posts, I use hay wire or cord, i have even drilled them and bolted them up with 1/4" carriage bolts. why, I even use them for pallets, to keep fire wood off the ground, I stacked 7 tons of hay on them last fall, I have built a box around one and used it to move firewood on the tractor forks and eventually I burn them. Thirty years ago I got 125 pallets of a job and 10 years later i still had 95 of them, I even moved them to a new homestead, I moved them a lot.

-- Hendo (OR) (redgate@echoweb.net), April 05, 2000.

I love these ideas. Sheepish, I tried cutting and pasting the address you gave and it did NOT work. I tried it with Yahoo and GoTo.com and other search engines. Then I cut off the end and got to the bulletin board where I spent an hour or so but never did find the pallet thread. Any chance you could find it and cut and paste it HERE? If so, thanks!

Hendo, I sure would like to learn more about the man who built his house with pallets. My main interest right now is to build a chicken house and also an outhouse. Oh, and an enclosure for my rabbit hutches so dogs and foxes can't get at them and a storage shed and .......

I note I am NOT expert at driving nails and the wood in some of these pallets is really hard to nail into. That's just me, I know, but it is a problem. As to building with pallets, all suggestions appreciated!

-- Elizabeth Petofi (tengri@cstone.net), April 05, 2000.

Hi Elizabeth,

I read somewhere about a guy that took the time to take pallets apart for the inside boards, the thin ones, not the 2 X 4's. He would cut them out and end up with about and 18 to 20 inch board. these he would send through a planner, and also the table saw to streighten the edges. leaving a board that was about 1/2 inch thick and 3" wide by 18 to 20inches long. When he had enough of these he laid them on a plywood base counter top and put poly on them. In short a butcher block counter top. Also by doing lots of these you could do a hardwood floor out of them, but it would be tons of work. On the other hand a hardwood floor cost a small fortune.

Hope this idea might help you. Beth (NC)

-- Beth (NC) (craig@icu2.net), April 05, 2000.

Elizabeth your jumping the natural progretion of things i may be wrong but it's clotheline, bailing wire then nails goodluck Shaun

-- shaun cornish (shaun-terri@juno.com), April 05, 2000.

********* BY REQUEST FOR ELIZABETH******

Has anyone out there put together an inexpensive barn? I need one to house several goats, a flock of laying hens and misc. feed and supplies. How have you done it? Anyone used pallets or other things I have not thought about?? Appreciate your help--

-- Lynn Royal (CAVEWOMAN48@hotmail.com), February 02, 2000

Answers

We live in an area where the prime concern is keeping out the rain and sun, not warmth, so I don't know if this would be secure enough for you or not: Telephone poles (free) Oak pallets (free, but LOTS of work to take apart) Reclaimed lumber from a fallen down house (cheap, also LOTS of work) Reclaimed tin roofing... that wasn't the best idea we've ever had- was in bad shape, had to be patched, painted, etc. Ended up replacing it with new.

I'm not pretending to be an expert on this subject, but the telephone poles worked great- we're in Hurricane Alley- and our sheds never blew away! I've heard of using the pallets as they are, but have never seen it done.

-- Sylvia (slydy@intrstar.net), February 02, 2000.

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We built a great goat barn out of lodge pole trees (limbs and bark off)and sinking them two feet into the ground. Into the hole with the pole we poured some gravel (rock we got from the local gravel pit for free) and filled that hole up half way to steady and straighten the pole. Mike, my hubby used a plumb bob to make sure the pole was straight. Then we put dirt into it. Tamped it down.

Now we were ready for the pallets which we got for free from places around town. Hammered them into place onto the poles. Start at one end or the other of the building. put a 2x4 inbetween the pallets and hammer them to the 2x4s. Of course this depends on the size of your building. Our goat barn is 8 foot high, and 8 foot on each side which gives us the space for two 4x4 pallets...you get the idea,right?

After the pallets are up, we covered the outside of them with tarp..(free log wrap from a local lumber company...you can get them free also from places like Homebase, etc..)Stapled the tarp on.

OOPS...forgot the roof. When we built the poles and since we live in north Idaho, we made a pitch to the poles so the snow and rain would run off one end. so, one side is 8 foot high and the one side is 6.5 foot high. This makes Mike nuts, but when its done, it makes a great roof! Tarp this up too. Then add plywood on top. If you have the $$, put roofing material on....if you don't...add more tarp for water run off. If you staple alot, you should have a solid fit.

Leave a space for a doorway. Use a pallet with hinges attached for a gate.

Add a light inside to keep them warm when it's cold out side. Lots of hay. A few bales for them to climb on, a water dish and you are done!

If you have any questions, let me know. We let our goats free reign so they can come and go at will. During inclement weather, they stay inside anyway. Their choice. During the day, they rummage around, visit the cow, follow me and play. The cold doesn't seem to bother them, but we have tried to shield them from drafts (the log wrap is really good for this). Hope this helps. Idaho Cher

-- Cher Rovang (fullcircle@nidlink.com), February 02, 2000.

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I know someone who built a barn for their milk cow out of straw bales. They live in Illinois so this provided the insulation they needed. If you are interested in this let me know, and I'll get you some details.

kathy

-- Kathy Hardin (DavidWH6@juno.com), February 05, 2000.

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Lynn:

I built two TEMPORARY shelters (but they are still holding up!) with free pallets, 16d and 8d nails, some scrap plywood pieces, misc. 2 x 4's, plastic tarps and baling string. They aren't as ugly as they sound, but I doubt Martha Stewart would feature them on her place (ahem).

I first lined up two pallets at 90 degree angles and braced the corners by nailing plywood scraps across the seams and onto the pallets. I cross braced them on the top. I made two of these units and faced them across from each other with the corners diagonal from each other. I left a few feet in between each section (depending on length of 2 x 4's I was going to use).

Then I nailed 2 x 4's over the top, with one end shimmed up slightly higher to permit some rain to run off the (eventual) roof. Then I put more lumber cross wise over the 2 x 4's make some ribbing to support the tarp (roof).

I then positioned the tarp over the top and sides with the prevailing wind (you could use more than one tarp, too) and used scrap plywood layered over the edges, and nails, to secure it. In a couple of places I used baling twine because it worked better.

I left a big opening on one side, filled the "floor" with straw bedding, and had a temporary shelter.

Something like this could easily be adapted for poultry. Or temporary shelter for bigger critters while you build something for the long run.

I used regular hand tools: hammer, non-electric saw, steel tape measure. I don't consider myself particularly handy with building stuff, but I figured if I could sew, spin, knit and other crafts... this was just a bigger version of constructing something.

When the weather gets better I will de-construct them.

-- sheepish (rborgo@gte.net), February 05, 2000.

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When you say inexpensive are you talking permenant inexpensive or temporary inexpensive? The postings to date appear to be temporary. From the permenant standpoint a polebarn type structure would be the most inexpensive way to go. Depending on the size of your building, sink poles in the ground, where I live 4 feet due to frost. Sink the poles around the perimeter, frame up the roof and get your roofing on. That's the most important and most expense. At this point if your short on cash you can protect the walls in many different ways, some of them already mentioned, pallets & tarps, hay bales you name it. Then as able install wall purlins and either roughcut lumber or corrugated metal and you'll have an inexpensive barn that will withstand and outlast most anything or anyone. Good Luck!!

-- Peter FitzGerald (pdfitz@mkl.com), February 05, 2000.

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When I first started raising sheep, sturdy equipment, like feeders, fences and sheds were expensive to buy and make. My sister and I started contacting the glass companies in our area. Plate glass and window glass is shipped in crates made of 2x6'x6' and 8' and 1x6'x6' and 8' lumber. The owners were glad to get of it because the cost of dumping them was so high. They do take a bit of time to dismantle but we always had a good supply to pick from. Every few weeks, when we had a little extra time we made the rounds. We could hold 6 to 8 crates in our truck and store them until needed. I haven't done this for several years so I don't know if they've found another way to dispose of them. Also, if there is construction going on in your area sometimes they let you pick through the junk pile. Sometimes you can find decent sized plywood. With all the natural disasters lately wood has gotten out of sight so anything is worth a shot. Good lu

-- jennifer (schwabauer@aol.com), February 05, 2000.

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I found myself in need of a barn when my son showed up with two goats.The price of building one from scratch was a bit much for a couple of goats.I looked around and found a 12x20 garage that someone wanted moved, we loaded it up on a hay wagon and hauled it the ten miles to our land. It needed to be straighted a bit after the trip but was none the worst for wear. After putting a new tin roof and a door as well as a small hay loft we have a nice barn for the goats and a calf.I did a bit of looking around for materials and have about $250 in the whole project.Since we moved I have run across several small buildings people want torn down or moved for free so keep your eyes and ears open and you never know what you may find.

-- Kurt Kramer (ktkramer@netpluscom.com), February 06, 2000.

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You have provided less info than is necessary. Much like one of the kids asked "What's a good car, and how much should it cost?" Give me an idea of the size and use, as well as whether you plan to provide electricity and/or water and I might be able to help. Also, do you want a concrete, dirt, or wooden floor? Warm (heated) areas? Goats and chickens do well in unheated areas, even here in Maine. Where are you? Do you plan for baby goats or chicks? Eggs and/ or meat birds? Yes, I have barn plans, most of them my own. I designed and built a 20'x32' barn with a 10'x32' "shed". The shed is heated and has water. There are also a lot of designs for "cold" barns. Tell me what you want! Good Luck! Brad

-- Brad (homefixer@mix-net.net), February 06, 2000.

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My husband and I put up a 12'by 24' pole barn for under $400. We got our lumber from a manufacturing company (BIG used crates). We got our metal siding from a local manufacturer at a discount, by accepting an unclaimed order. the windows came from friends who had replaced the ones in their house. The wiring was done from leftovers thrown away on a building site, and is well beyond code. The lights were scavenged from an old greenhouse operation. All in all, we are housing 10 goats and a Jersey, in a building sturdy enough to outlast us. True, it wasn't free, but we won't have to worry about it next year, either.

-- Connie Christoffer (litlgaea@cs.com

**************** END OF COPIED THREAD******************

-- sheepish (rborgo@gte.net), April 05, 2000.

I do remember one time on the New Yankee Workshop, Norm Abrams made some furniture out of pallets. I know at one time we had made a coffee table out of the end of a wooden spool as well.

-- beckie (sunshine_horses@yahoo.com), April 05, 2000.

We built a "temporary" 10x20 chicken coop with dismantled oak pallets. Poles (green, cut trees) set 4 feet in the ground, smaller trees for the side rails at the bottom, middle, and top. More trees for the rafters. The only expense was for plywood and roll roofing for the pitched roof, and nails. Old windows and a door front and back. The first winter I stuffed burlap in the openings between the roof and the side walls. I had to take some out because the moisture built up too much. The temp inside was consistently 15 degrees warmer than outside. Dirt floor. The simplest of buildings. I tacked cardboard from boxes on the inside walls to keep out wind. We had chickens, ducks, geese and rabbits in there. It is still standing straight as the day we built it- 15 years later. Taking the pallets apart was murder. They have spiral nails that REALLY hold. The oak boards have to be pre-drilled before nailing in place. The oak boards can be planed down and make beautiful lumber for just about any project. Probably other woods would be just as pretty.

-- Peg (jnjohnsn@pressenter.com), April 05, 2000.

I made a chicken brooder box out of pallets. It has lasted for 4 years now. I used the frame from one pallet for the floor, setting it up on bricks. Then I closed the spaces between the uppermost boards with boards from other pallets. I used some pieces of 2x4 I already had for the upright boards on the corners, then closed off three sides completely with boards taken from other pallets. The 4th, south-facing side I boarded up half way, then closed the front with hardware cloth wire. Don't use chicken wire. Cats, etc., can reach in and get you chicks. I used old tin for the top. I put a light in for heat, leaving the front open in mild weather so the chicks can get away from the light or go to it if they get cold. In cooler weather or at night, I prop a piece of cardboard up on the outside using a board for the prop. In rainy weather, I lay some old sheets of tin or a sheet of plastic down over the top and across the window for added protection. They don't smother because of the cracks between the boards on the side of the box. This has worked just as well as brooding them in the house, and of course, without the stink.

-- Green (ratdogs10@yahoo.com), April 09, 2000.

Liz, this is close, but not exactly on point: an old TMEN article was by a guy who got free motorcycle shipping crates (which came from SE Asia) which were mahogony and other fancy/hard woods...he took them apart, and constructed complete wall panels (2x? and exterior wood sheathing) about 4' x 8'....these he bolted together to make walls for his house (moveability was important I guess) put old carpet on the dirt for a floor, and ran 2x? and some type of roofing...I always thought the "pre-manufactured" aspect was a neat idea for doing it "here" but putting it up "there".

-- Guy Winton (guyiii@home.com), April 10, 2000.