How to Dismantle a Wooden Pallet - Easily & Efficiently (No Power Tools)

[@PhillWyattProjects]

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[@gitser2003]

I invested in the pallet buster recently and found it to be a fantastic tool. Only time I have problems with splitting boards is if I don pay attention to where I'm placing the prongs of the bar. I also use it to remove the blocks it's as handy as the pribar.

[@PhillWyattProjects]

Yea they are really useful aren't they Christy. I've been using mine about 3 years now. I split boards sometimes it's just impossible to save every board.

[@whomadethatsaltysoup]

Thanks for sharing. Got a free pallet with a delivery of OSB. Decided to watch a few tutorials on harvesting wood from scabby old pallets. TBH, this pallet was in very good condition - one of the block versions with chipboard. I was going to buy one of those pallet breaker gizmos, but that will have to wait for another day. In the end, I went with the tools at hand - claw hammer, lump hammer and a crowbar. Using the lump hammer and a scrap of 3by to gently separate the planks by tapping them from behind. I saw this technique in another tutorial, and I have to say, it is the first time, ever, that I was able to break down a pallet without damaging any part of it. The whole process was very quickly, and, as most of the nails were left straight, they too came out with relative ease. Good tip just tapping the nail, rather than thumping it all the way out. 👍

[@PhillWyattProjects]

Thanks 👍🏻 it's always good when you get to use all of the pallets wood without splitting any. Some are easier than others to dismantle.

[@agskater1914]

Super chill video, much enjoyed. Trying to get familiar with breaking down pallets without power tools as I am looking to build some raised beds. Cheer's from California, brother.

[@PhillWyattProjects]

Cheers & thanks for watching!👍🏻

[@dunbardunelm3924]

Wonderful information ❤️❤️🎊

[@PhillWyattProjects]

Thank you very much!

[@karlpopewoodcraft]

So very efficient Phill you make it look easy. I bought a pallet buster as well I'm sure it was only 20 odd pounds from screwfix 🤔 cracking bit of kit.

[@PhillWyattProjects]

Thanks Karl 👍 I've had a lot of practice especially when I built my 9 metre fence out of them 😆 I must have broken up about 100 or more this year😕 I got mine for around that price not sure which site it was from but they are all very similar. I've seen some home made ones on KZbin that look great.

[@MrWoodykeys]

Well that's just bloody brilliant!!

[@PhillWyattProjects]

Thanks Richard! 👍

[@GrumpysWorkshop4]

Great video. I usually struggle with breaking blocked pallets. I have a stack as high as my workshop that I need to break down. That pallet breaker seems to make easy work of it. Think I need to invest in one

[@PhillWyattProjects]

Thanks Grumpy 👍 yea they are useful and make it much easier. The block pallets can be a pain but they tend to have thicker slats so they are worth using.

[@roberttill3787]

i use a manual scissor car jack to push the pallet apart from the blocks.

[@GOLDSMITHEXILE]

I learned a quick method when I was a pallet refurber (many years ago). Getting spare boards was in our own time (piece work) so we had to find a fast reliable method or end up with crap wages that week.( I could do 150-180 on a good day, 33p each I think it was!). All we used was an oak bar about 4 feet long and 1 1/2 inches square, with all 4 corners chamfered off to make it octagonal. Then insert one end between a gap, then STAMP DOWN VERY FIRM! as hard and fast as you like. It seems counter intuitive, but more often than not the boards spring off in tact. Obviously some pallets are easier than others, depending on age/condition/if nails were annular ringed/rusted in/nail gunned etc For refurbing we didnt remove nails, just hammered them flat and placed that side down when renailing onto a new pallet. To get the blocks off of 4 ways @ 5.00 in your vdieo we used an axe, chop bottom one, chop middle one, spin it over, one more chop at the bottom again, all three blocks removed It would easy go through the nails The other thing I learned is regular cheapo safety boots are useless in a pallet factory when theres 4 and 5 inch nails lying about (ouch), thats whan I got wood clogs with steel toes.....

[@PhillWyattProjects]

Thanks for sharing this is interesting info. You can never hear too much info about how to dismantle a pallet. I have gotten faster at doing it but still find some a pain to get apart but most are ok now for me. I will try your method of the Oak Bar that sounds like good advice although I never thought of doing it like that before.

[@GOLDSMITHEXILE]

@@PhillWyattProjects It doesnt have to be oak, you can use a regular 4 x 2 from a 2 way pallet, but the stamping method tends to break them easily on aknot...straight Oak is strong....When I started there in the factory I was trying to use a claw hammer/crow bar etc but was getting lots of splits. I was skeptical when the other lads finished having a laugh at my efforts, then showed me their method. But it does work...its important to focus and stamp down hard without hesitation! Good luck with your projects! (PS if anyone offers you pallets from a pork or bacon factory, probaly best to turn them down, they'll have maggots and all sorts of bloody flux on them)

[@sandorspalms]

Such a great idea! Awesome😃👍

[@PhillWyattProjects]

Thanks very much!

[@sophiescyclingandwalkingch4294]

Thanks Phil, that pallet tool is great. I might buy.

[@PhillWyattProjects]

Your welcome 😃

[@Cenotaff]

Really satisfying video to see the process. May I ask what the width between the two metal bits is? I'm looking at buying one on Amazon and the common bad review is that it's no good for Euro pallets (the one I'm looking at).

[@louislandi938]

You showed me that I’ll need more than just a pallet buster. Have to find my crow bars and see what sizes I have. Another advantage is that it’s cheaper than a gym membership.

[@PhillWyattProjects]

You need a few tools but once you buy them they last a long time. It's an investment. 😀

[@robertgarner11]

Very useful as always Phill!

[@PhillWyattProjects]

Thanks Rob 👍

[@tonyf68]

Great video and it looks like you’ve made some nice projects from your pallet wood. I really like your wood store as well 👍 I’m making one at the moment.

[@PhillWyattProjects]

Thanks Tony 👍 yea I love making stuff out of pallet wood it gets the imagination going 😃

[@roberttill3787]

I too have a pallet buster the same as yours and i find they split more than they recover, leading to very short almost useless wood unless you have a woodburner. I tend to break apart pallets using some packing pieces and a clubhammer, forcing the spars off evenly, resulting in less splitting and breakage.

[@PhillWyattProjects]

Yea these pallet breakers don't always get every board off cleanly it depends on the pallet. As you say extra tactics can be needed to get the most out of the wood.

[@TheEssexSpurs]

Great crowbar on runners tip.i thought I knewit all!!

[@PhillWyattProjects]

Thanks 👍

[@angus5041]

Nice vid Phil altho i have not found any oak lol, pallet buster is on the shopping list

[@PhillWyattProjects]

Thanks Angus👍 it sounds surprising I know but some pallets are made of off cuts of Oak. They tend to be thinner boards as they are stronger than pine etc.

[@bobprobert353]

What on earth is that tool you are using to prise up the wood? I'm guessing you made it,its awesome!

[@PhillWyattProjects]

Hi Bob, it's called a pallet breaker. I bought it a few years ago. You can find them on Google.

[@bobprobert353]

@@PhillWyattProjects I just seen and thanks mate.

[@MoranGuyVideos]

where I live this pallet breaker is quite expensive. I don't know why but I'm not using pallets that's often. pine wood is relatively cheap. I'm using plywood and pine for most of my projects.

[@PhillWyattProjects]

This Is a good point Moran. The price of tools and wood vary depending on location. Using plywood and pine is a great alternative which I do myself at times also. Plus you don't have to remove nails!😁

[@MoranGuyVideos]

@@PhillWyattProjects another resource I didn't mention is reclaimed wood especially from old furniture left near bins around my neighborhood.

[@PhillWyattProjects]

@@MoranGuyVideos I do the same Moran. Bins and skips I find all sorts of wood 😃

[@keshatton2334]

I spent hours breaking pallets up, as i had a wood burner i used the blocks as 'mini logs' the slats often split as i was dismantling so i cut to size and split for kindling. I then sold at the gate for £xxx a sack. Breaking pallets keeps you warm twice!

[@PhillWyattProjects]

Thanks Kes 👍 yes this is a good point. I sometimes burn the blocks when I have a fire in the garden. Even the waste wood from a pallet is useful 😁

[@keshatton2334]

@@PhillWyattProjects Honestly Phil, i lived in the country and i had endless surplies of pallets, the blocks saved me a small fortune in fuel bills, in the 5 years i lived in the cottage i never spent a penny on wood, it all came out of the river on the tide or burning pallet blocks. I wish i was as gifted as you in making stuff, gives me hope,

[@PhillWyattProjects]

@@keshatton2334 I would like to get a log burner for my house and use the extra pallet wood for free fuel it's a great way to save money! You are good at making stuff👍 keep on making 😊 it's all just practice.

[@chadz6422]

What kind of pellet pry bar do you have

[@thevjoiners]

Is your wood storage area fully enclosed or is it partly left open?

[@PhillWyattProjects]

It has a roof although the front is open to allow good air flow

[@thevjoiners]

@@PhillWyattProjects does it not get wet each time it rains?

[@PhillWyattProjects]

@@thevjoiners No because there is a good overhang on the roof I have actually extended the length of the roof just last week.

[@thevjoiners]

@@PhillWyattProjects Nice one Phill 👍 Thanks for the replies and thanks for the vids 🙌

[@PhillWyattProjects]

@@thevjoiners you are welcome 👍

[@RP-ug6xx]

good job. There is no reason to waste nails or leave nails in the center braces by cutting them off with a sawzall.

[@PhillWyattProjects]

Thanks 👍 yea I keep all the nails in a big bucket I have a lifetime supply 😆

[@davesullivan8073]

Oh my aching back you need a work table my friend

[@PhillWyattProjects]

I have a bench but I find it easier to dismantle pallets on the floor.

[@frankgreen7988]

If the pallets are wet they're harder to get them planks off

[@PhillWyattProjects]

Very true. I always leave them for a while to dry out before I take them apart.