Best way to take apart wooden pallets?

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Hesse2509

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Best way to take apart wooden pallets?
« on: December 31, 2011, 08:07 »
I collected about eight wooden pallets yesterday, planning to build myself some new cold frames; but what immediately struck me was how difficult they appeared to be to break down into usable bits of timber that didn't split into pieces which is effectively only good for kindling.

Does anyone have any tips on how to effectively break them down with minimal waste, or else I can see myself just creating a massive pile of firewood!?
« Last Edit: December 31, 2011, 08:31 by Hesse2509 »

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AndyRVTR

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Re: Best way to take apart wooden pallets?
« Reply #1 on: December 31, 2011, 08:17 »
You could try uing a flat bladed chisel between the timbers to pry them apart  :)

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grendel

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Re: Best way to take apart wooden pallets?
« Reply #2 on: December 31, 2011, 08:22 »
I find a crowbar very effective - then knock the nails out. there is a pallet disassembly tool on the market but its essentially a big crowbar. sometimes an extra block of wood is helpful to make the crowbar a tighther fit in the gap.
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joyfull

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Re: Best way to take apart wooden pallets?
« Reply #3 on: December 31, 2011, 09:04 »
lorry tyre levers work very well  :D
Staffies are softer than you think.

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sunshineband

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Re: Best way to take apart wooden pallets?
« Reply #4 on: December 31, 2011, 09:55 »
We go for the crowbar too  ;)
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mumofstig

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Re: Best way to take apart wooden pallets?
« Reply #5 on: December 31, 2011, 10:51 »
I hammer an old screw driver in between the boards to lever them apart. I still lose a few that split, but the majority respond to my version of brute force and ignorance  8)

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savbo

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Re: Best way to take apart wooden pallets?
« Reply #6 on: December 31, 2011, 14:47 »
as they use ring nails usually, it's often easier to knock nails in than try to prise them out...

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doctorangler

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Re: Best way to take apart wooden pallets?
« Reply #7 on: December 31, 2011, 15:17 »
if you pick them up then drop them on the corners they will loosen the nails and you will not split as many planks  bob

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born_2b_mad

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Re: Best way to take apart wooden pallets?
« Reply #8 on: December 31, 2011, 21:28 »
I have bought myself a pallet stripping bar by a chap called Gareth Lewis.
Works brilliantly.
Thought it would be a decent investment for me as I have access to an unending supply of pallets at work, and am intending to create a number of items using the wood.

Here is a video of the bar in actionhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipQLy-0Pfag
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CDave

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Re: Best way to take apart wooden pallets?
« Reply #9 on: January 01, 2012, 09:56 »
I have bought myself a pallet stripping bar by a chap called Gareth Lewis.
Works brilliantly.
Thought it would be a decent investment for me as I have access to an unending supply of pallets at work, and am intending to create a number of items using the wood.

Here is a video of the bar in actionhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipQLy-0Pfag

Looks very nice! Wonder if our Lottie Association would like to invest in one?  :blink:

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gavinjconway

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Re: Best way to take apart wooden pallets?
« Reply #10 on: January 08, 2012, 19:37 »
This is what I use... You can hammer the short flat curved end between  the planks and break one of the nails then lift and lever the other one out.. I have used this bar for many many pallets.. Tried all types and found this the best. You can also pull the nails out once loosened with the slits on the bar.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/STANLEY-STA155526-21-WONDER-BAR-21X-CROWBAR-/360340672985?pt=UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment&hash=item53e5fa51d9#ht_1015wt_952

crowbar.jpg
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bazh

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Re: Best way to take apart wooden pallets?
« Reply #11 on: January 08, 2012, 19:53 »
I recently had to take apart 20 pallets which I used for a combination of making fence panels and making a cold frame after trashing a couple with a wide blade crowbar I googled it and used this guys method it works an absolute treat honestly.

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savbo

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Re: Best way to take apart wooden pallets?
« Reply #12 on: January 09, 2012, 12:47 »
oohh lovely job!

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gavinjconway

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Re: Best way to take apart wooden pallets?
« Reply #13 on: January 09, 2012, 16:53 »
Hey Bazh - great video there ... thanks - I'll defo keep this in mind for other work I will be needing pallets for.  I was using mostly long double sided from British Gypsum so slightly different.

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Bodmass

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Re: Best way to take apart wooden pallets?
« Reply #14 on: January 09, 2012, 23:09 »
Thanks for posting that Bazh.
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