DIY Simple Pallet Tombstones

by davethewoodworker in Workshop > Woodworking

3333 Views, 19 Favorites, 0 Comments

DIY Simple Pallet Tombstones

vlcsnap-00010.jpg
DIY Simple Pallet Tombstones

Today I will show you how I made some Simple Tombstones for Halloween decoration. These are easy to make, anybody can make these with just a few tools.

Best of all, they didn't cost me anything to make, except a little time.

I have included the Video, so you can watch me make these.

Materials Needed

2 or 3 old pallet slats

Jigsaw

Hammer or Nailgun

Nails

9/16" Staples

7" long Gutter nails

5 gallon bucket

Wood glue

Printer

Label paper with labels removed

Black Craft paint

Steelwool and Vinegar mixture

assorted paint brushes

Cutting Parts

vlcsnap-00020.jpg

I cut my pallet slats to 15" long on the Cutoff saw,if you don't have a cutoff saw, used your Jigsaw or Handsaw

Also cut a few pieces shorter than the width, to hold them together.

Attach Parts

vlcsnap-00021.jpg
vlcsnap-00022.jpg
vlcsnap-00028.jpg
vlcsnap-00023.jpg
vlcsnap-00024.jpg
vlcsnap-00025.jpg

Allign your parts up, put a little Titebond II glue, and nail the parts together. I then attached the 7" long Gutter nails with 9/16" staples.

Note I used Titebond II glue, its made for outdoor use.

Draw Your Top

vlcsnap-00019.jpg
vlcsnap-00029.jpg
vlcsnap-00030.jpg
vlcsnap-00031.jpg
vlcsnap-00032.jpg

Now take your 5 gallon Bucket and align it close to the top. Mark it with a Pencil. Then saw it out with the Jigsaw.

Note that this doesn't have to be perfect, you could also cut some places in the top, as if the Tombstone had chips in it.

Stain or Paint

vlcsnap-00026.jpg
vlcsnap-00027.jpg
vlcsnap-00011.jpg

I then got my jar of Vinegar and Steelwool mixture out, brushed a coat of it over the pallet Tombstones. Let this dry overnight.

You wouldn't have to use this, you could use some paint, your choice of colors.

Paint Lettering

vlcsnap-00012.jpg
vlcsnap-00013.jpg
vlcsnap-00014.jpg
vlcsnap-00015.jpg
vlcsnap-00016.jpg
vlcsnap-00017.jpg
vlcsnap-00018.jpg

I then open Wordpad on my PC and printed some names for my Tombstones, I choose Billy the Kid, Jesse James and Butch Cassidy. I also printed out there death dates, be sure and use some Label paper, with the labels removed. Also print them out reverse, lay the paper on the pallet and rub the ink into the wood.

Then take your Black Craft paint and paint over the lettering

Enjoy

vlcsnap-00009.jpg

Now is the time to enjoy your Halloween decorations. I stuck them into the ground beside of my Pallet Wood Coffin and pallet Skeleton's. Thanks for checking out my Instructable