So I acquired an old wood crate from my next door neighbor and I want to restore it and turn it into a toy chest. The inside of the box is good but the outside has some large pieces of wood sicking out from what I believe the wood drying out, some of the wood is bowed, and the wood is cracked where some of the nails are. So my question is if it can be restored or if the wood is just too damaged. I've provided some pictures of the damage mentioned.

Give it a try and tell us.

Predrill a small pilot hole between nails. These trim screws will pull the head below the surface of the wood. Requires a 1/8 inch square drive screwdriver bit, often included with screws. If not, tool section will have. Home Depot will have them as well.

Practice on some scrap wood.

After the box is sturdy, just tap the nails back in for appearance.

I would put some 3/4" x 3/4" nailers on the inside corners, pre-drill it so it doesn't split, and put screws from the inside so they do not show.

Use the old box as a pattern and build a duplicate with new lumber. Probably safer for a kid's toys. Clean up the old crate and make an end table or some other furniture out of it.

gorilla glue and 4 gal. box nails.

gently pull the edges apart and glue, put in new nail in existing hole.

let sit 24 hrs