How to Make Pallet Wood & Denim Footwear

by BCDesign in Workshop > Woodworking

2682 Views, 55 Favorites, 0 Comments

How to Make Pallet Wood & Denim Footwear

1080x1920 pallet shoes.jpg
IMG_4128.PNG

I wanted to enter the footwear challenge so I had a look around my workshop and house to see what materials were at hand. I had just finished a pallet wood build so I had plenty leftover in my workshop, I also found an old pair of jeans and upholstery tacks.I worked out a quick really simple design and got to work!

If you like this Instructable please use the vote button!

I made a video for my channel BCDesign please comment like and share if you enjoy this Instructable and video!

What you will need:

  • Pallet Wood
  • Old Jeans(2 back pockets)
  • Upholstery Tacks
  • Mitre saw / Hand saw
  • Hammer
  • Handplane / Sander
  • Foot or shoe belonging to the intended recipient of the footwear to make sure the pallet is cut to the right size
  • Clamp

Find Some Pallet Wood

IMG_4065.PNG
IMG_4067.PNG
IMG_4157.PNG
IMG_4131.PNG
57a4ed5c4936d4ef3d0000b4.jpeg
  • Find a pallet
  • Break down the pallet whatever way you like
  • My method was to cut along the side of the pallet and pull it off the middle piece of the pallet
  • I then removed any nails to prevent damage to my tools and the future wearers feet
  • Cut the board into 2 manageable pieces

Trace Outline of Foot / Old Shoe & Cut Out Soles

IMG_4160.PNG
IMG_4044.JPG
IMG_4134.PNG
IMG_4045.JPG
IMG_4133.PNG
  • I traced the outline of an old flip flop
  • Use the Jigsaw to cut out the first sole
  • Trace the outline of the first sole onto the second piece of pallet wood
  • Cut the second sole out
  • I then clamped the 2 soles together and sanded them so that they were an even match.

Level the Soles

IMG_4046.JPG
IMG_4047.JPG
IMG_4048.JPG
  • Use a handplane to make sure the soles are of even height
  • I used a homemade bench hook and screws to keep the soles in place as I planed them.

Remove the Back Pockets & Fold the Jeans

IMG_4141.PNG
IMG_4143.PNG
IMG_4049.JPG
IMG_4145.PNG
  • I remove the 2 back pockets from an old pair of jeans
  • I then laid them down on the table and folded them twice so the pointed bottom of the pocket was on the top side of the strap. (can be seen clearly in video.)
  • The pointed part of the jean strap will face the wearers toes.

Tack the Jeans Strap to the Sole

IMG_4146.PNG
IMG_4148.PNG
IMG_4052.JPG
  • Try and secure the pallet wood sole in a vice and use the upholstery tacks to join the jeans strap and sole together.
  • This was the hardest part of the project for me as I had no vice.
  • The tacks were extremely easy to bend.

Finished!!

IMG_4057.JPG
IMG_4058.JPG
IMG_4059.JPG
IMG_4056.JPG
IMG_4150.PNG
  • Your new footwear is now ready to wear!!
  • This was a fun project made out of materials that I had on hand in a very short time!I think even a novice maker could make this project easily!
  • Don't forget to vote for me!!

If you like this Project please watch and share the video and subscribe and comment if you enjoy it!