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Build your own Vintage looking Garden Tool Box

You will need:
1) 1 Pallet
2) About 10 long screws
3) Sander
4) Sawsall, handsaw or chopsaw
5) Outdoor stain (or whatever paint you want)
6) Carbon paper (optional for words on front)
7) Paintbrush for stain

 

 

Step one:

Cut your pallet into the size box you want.

Step two:

Use a front piece from the other side of the pallet for the bottom. Cut and saw to the correct size, use your long screws to drill the piece together. I would put about 4-6 screws in, one in each side, 6 – 10 for the larger style boxes.

Step three:

Sand all rough surfaces.

Step four:

Use outdoor stain (or latex paint) I have used a solid colored outdoor stain. Put on 1 or 2 coats to cover your wood.

Step five:

Once totally dry take your sander and slightly sand the edges and surface to expose the wood beneath for the antique/vintage look you desire.

Step six:

Optional – you can line your planter box with garden/landscape cloth if wood is not snug to edges, to prevent dirt from falling out. Use a staple gun to attach garden/landscape cloth to the inside.

Step seven:

Freehand, stencil or trace over carbon paper the words use desire. I print off Microsoft word document – in the font I like and trace onto the box using the carbon paper. Then with a small paintbrush I paint using an acrylic paint (or whatever paint you have) once dry – you can use a clear varathane to go over top – this is optional and does make it a bit shiny. I feel no need to do this when using the outdoor stain.