Man Turns Old Wood Pallets Into A Mini Cabin With An Impressive DIY

A large garden shed or mini cabin can be a great place for storage, working, or just getting away from the world and relaxing. Over on YouTube, @Robe the Builder shares an impressive DIY using old pallets. It provides spacious areas for a multitude of potential uses. His off-grid approach keeps costs to a minimum and uses very few tools.

Before you start a project like this, one of the top tips to build a DIY shed or cabin is to check local building codes. These may impact its size and location. Also check if you need a permit. It's not clear whether Robe has done this or whether his rural location makes it unnecessary, but failure to follow the rules could mean fines or that the structure has to be torn down.

The two main tools used in the construction are a cordless drill/driver (one of the power tools every homeowner should own) and a cordless reciprocating saw (often called a Sawzall). A handsaw could be used in a pinch, and a cordless circular saw is a good alternative if you already own one. You'll also need plenty of screws, which provide a much stronger fixing on this kind of job than nails would.

You can build the cabin whatever size you like (that building regulations allow). If you don't already have them, there should be plenty of places to find free pallets near you. Check the markings on them. Don't use any that have MB (they have been injected with methyl bromide, which is toxic) or CP (used to transport chemicals).

Below you'll find a step-by-step video with all the details, but we'll help you get started with a bird's eye view of the project. The main build is straightforward, really just a question of screwing the pallets together. Robe assembles the wooden pallets into a rectangular frame, securing them together to form the cabin's walls on a cinderblock base, before adding a pitched roof made from reclaimed pallet boards. He then reinforces the structure with additional wooden supports. For this type of project, galvanized screws (more expensive than zinc-plated) are better, as they are intended for outdoor use and last way longer.

Much of what you do in terms of windows and doors will depend on what you have, can find in salvage yards, or are prepared to buy. Robe has boards for exterior cladding, but there are numerous siding options available at hardware stores. After using roofing felt and battens for the entire structure, Rone adds corrugated plastic sheet to one section. Make sure to use the proper screws and washers if you do this to prevent them from pulling through.

The interior is clad with drywall (which also needs special screws). If you're a novice, there are some drywall mistakes you definitely want to avoid. Insulated panels are added to the floor and covered with OSB (oriented strand board), which is affordable, hard-wearing, and adds a degree of moisture protection. If you wanted the cabin to be really snug, the walls could be insulated before fitting the drywall.

For added warmth, Robe installs an old wood burner. Using a blanket to drag it around is a useful trick that reduces the need to lift it. He sets it on a metal sheet, which is important to protect the wooden floor underneath. There also appears to be a metal plate on the wall, and we can see what you would assume is fireproof insulation added around the stovepipe where it passes through. There are a number of safety precautions associated with the installation of wood stoves that are well worth checking. They are important if you want to prevent a fire that could quickly destroy the entire cabin. Building a mini cabin from old wooden pallets can be time-consuming but doesn't require any special skills. The finished building can suit a number of purposes and would be a whole lot cheaper than buying something of an equivalent size at a store.