DIY Wood Arrow - Pallet Love - Dream Design DIY

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I hope you all have had an amazing holiday season! It always seems to come and go so fast. Although I get sad when the holidays are over I am excited to switch gears for the new year. It’s a time to refresh and recharge for new goals, improved habits and anticipated expectations yah…and often failed resolutions haha!

I love arrows and I love what they represent. To me they represent direction, guidance, and movement. A perfect project to kickoff 2016.

I made this DIY Wood Arrow from a FREE pallet leftover from my DIY Recipe Stand.

SUPPLIES NEEDED FOR DIY WOOD ARROW

Pallet scraps or scrap 1x3s, or 1×4 pieces or a mix of these
Scrap pressed plywood
Chop saw
Clamps
Sand paper/sander
Jigsaw
Wood glue
Hammer
Nails
Sawtooth picture hanger

CUTS NEEDED FOR DIY WOOD ARROW

Body

1 – pallet 12 1/4 inches
1 – pallet 11 3/4 inches
1 – pallet 11 1/4 inches
2 – pallet 5 3/4 inches
5 – pressed plywood 5 3/8 x 2 inches

Head

1 – top pallet 11 3/4 x 3 1/4 inches
1 – middle pallet 11 3/4 x 1 1/5 inches
1 – bottom pallet 11 3/4 x 3 3/8 inches
1 – pressed plywood 5 3/8 x 2 inches
2 – pressed plywood 4 1/4 x 1/2 inch

Tail

2 – pallet 8 x 5 1/4 inches

My cuts were based on the configuration/layout I made with the different sections of the arrow. The finished arrow from tip to tail ended up measuring approximately 35 inches in length.

STEPS TO MAKE DIY WOOD ARROW

Step 1) To make the body of the arrow I staggered the cut pallets and placed them face down. I applied wood glue to the pressed plywood pieces and then nailed them in place. I placed the pressed plywood where the different pieces of wood met to make sure there was enough support. Add more pressed plywood if needed. Use clamps to hold the pieces in place. Step 2) To make the head of the arrow I used three pieces of pallets. I ripped cut one to create a narrow middle piece. I applied glue to the pressed plywood, nailed in place and also applied two small narrow pieces of pressed plywood to add more support. Then using a triangle template I created in Word I traced it on the glued pallets and cut out the arrowhead with a jigsaw. Step 3) For the tail I used two pallet pieces. I created a template using the chevron shape under the block arrows under shapes in Word. I placed the long edges of the two pallet pieces together, traced the chevron shape and cut it out with a jigsaw. Step 4) I used my sander with 80 grit paper to sand all the pieces. Now the three sections of the arrow are ready to be put together.

Step 5) There is no magic step to this part. I just played around with the placement until I got it where I wanted it. I marked with a pencil on the back of the tail how far from the bottom and the side to apply the glue. I placed the tails and arrow head face side down and glued and nailed the back of the of body to the head and tails. Step 6) Finally attach a sawtooth picture hanger and hang in your new favorite spot.

My arrow is pretty lonely on the wall right now. I will be working on an area to display this with. I love how it turned out and I may decide to paint it one day, but as for now I will leave it as is in all it’s pallet beauty.