Shopsmith Forums

I've discussed and posted pictures of the military medals display case I made for my dad (Here and Here). But I also built another project for Christmas. I built a "Cowboy Cooler" for my sister and her husband. I first saw one of these at Academy Sporting Goods. I thought it was pretty cool but decided I could build one a LOT cheaper than the $150+ they were asking. I've since seen them various places, but always rather expensive. This was made from pallet wood (left rough). The only cost to me was the hinges, handle, cooler, and plumbing for the drain which all amounted to not a whole lot compared to what people want for these things. Construction was pretty rough - no highly skilled "woodworking" here. Anybody could build one of these. But, it was the first thing with four legs that I ever built that didn't wobble!

Here are the "in front of the garage door" pictures.

I think that is great, Heath! Good job.

OK master craftsman Norm, what else are you doing with your spare time. Looks real good!!! Can't beat the price either. Nice to do rustic projects like this. Any oops's just add that much more character.

Does the spigot go directly into the cooler? Is there a full bottom or just a ledge for the cooler to sit on? Where did you get the cowboy?

Nice job, again. Oh and by the way, you need to sweep your driveway!!!:D

I like both these projects; you have an artistic eye. On your Dad's project the small pyramids on the pegs mirrored the larger joint treatment pyramids. That was perfect for his display of military medals. The "pillow" pegs would not have looked right at all.

Your cooler looks like it came out of a barn from the 1800s. Very authentic in every detail. Good job. Now I have to start looking for some pallets.

Hope you are all having a Merry Christmas.

Jerry Floren
St. Peter, MN

Very cool project..
Now it just have to sit outside and get nice and weathered.

Great look!

The cooler sits on a shelf a couple inches above the spigot. The spigot does go to the drain for the cooler. The cooler didn't have a drain spout so I installed one. Academy Sporting Goods has a section of repair pieces for Igloo coolers - hinges, handles, drains plugs, etc. I picked up a drain plug there and just drilled a hole for it in the bottom of the cooler. Basic plumbing from there to the spigot.

The Indian silhouette and bottle opener came from a vendor at a local small town festival. They had hundreds of different designs in various sizes, most with a "western" theme - stars, boots, cowboys, Indians, horseshoes, horses, etc. I took one of their brochures and they have an email address, but not a web site.

Although I tried to be accurate, this was one of those projects where "close enough" was close enough.

As for the driveway, yeah, I know... but if I sweep the driveway, more leaves will just come so what's the point?

Really nice job Heath!!!:D

I just realized what the cooler is missing.....a nice set of ShopSmith casters with the 3-way foot lever.

heathicus wrote:The cooler sits on a shelf a couple inches above the spigot. The spigot does go to the drain for the cooler.

Could one just hook the spigot up to the cooler? The boards on your dad's case (nice job by the way), looked kind of thick for a pallet. They look 1/2". All the pallets I found had 1/4" boards.

Very nice. Where did you get the iron cowboy "badge" on the front? I'm sure your sister and B-I-L will enjoy it.