How to take a Pallet Apart the Easy Way Pt 2 - Tips for Success

I love re-purposing pallets to make all sorts of different things around the house and garden; I even made my greenhouse out of pallets! In this video I am going to share with you some of my tips for success, from what type of pallet to use, to what to do when you have a difficult to take apart pallet. I will also be showing you some of the different things I have made from pallets.

[@kathymachen8342]

Easiest and best for those of us who can't afford the expensive tools!

[@keelijudge5074]

Thank you for telling us the treatments and types of pallets. Excellent information

[@xX3NEZUE3Xx]

thank you, good tips, for just a small sludge and 3 blocks.

[@ClaymoreClay101]

Methyl Bromide treated pallets are actually safe to use. Methyl Bromide has historically been used as a pesticide and even directly applied to produce. It is a gas at room temperature and is sprayed onto items that require treatment. While it is harmful to humans, it does not stick to or contaminate items since it evaporates, rather than lingering or sticking to a treated item. It's use has been significantly reduced cut back by the Montreal Protocol not because of its toxicity, but because of its ozone depleting properties. Just thought I'd share this. Great video by the way!

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Great comment, thanks :)

[@Pete.Ty1]

Hi Steve, one method I've seen is to use a garden fork to dismantle the pallets. Insert the tines of the fork in the gap between boards and straddle the stringers. You lever the fork downwards using the stringer as a fulcrum. For those of us with stiff joints who have difficulty in kneeling down and standing up again 😊👍

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Nice one, I shall have a look at that :)

[@Rigandfixit]

Fuck this I’m tired give me a pallet buster my knees hurt..

[@guyh.4553]

An ACTUAL useful pallet breaking video! One that gives real information. Thx!

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

And thanks for your comment 😊

[@karencrawford5102]

Thank you. Today I made 5 seed trays from pallets. I’m surprised how pleased & satisfied I feel about this. Thanks for the inspiration. Karen

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

That is fantastic. I love my pallet seed trays, that feel so solid and look good too :)

[@spoolsandbobbins]

You explain and show things really well. Thank you Steve. Those pallets sure can be stubborn.

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

They are!

[@rudydevich9046]

You previously, an Englisher. You are now officially and eternally a denizen in the vast North American garden approching paradise. No charge.

[@HomesteadDIY]

I’ve never come across a pallet I can easily dismantle. I’ve tried a half dozen different techniques and while I did consider getting a pallet tool, I find it is far easier to simply use a sawzall and cut through the nails. I also don’t worry about the nail heads that remain as I think it gives the board character.

[@kirstenwhitworth8079]

Whatever works is valid for you

[@snuffoutrouge5109]

The EPAL pallets I come across have nails that are glued in and have wire twisted with copper wire. I use the portable power saw across the top ends and leave the nails and timber attached to the main beams. I find the timber splits if I try to remove the nailed down timbers, Then I put the beams on a work bench and hammer the remaining timbers off as I leave enough over hanging to smash off the timber. Then crowbar the nails out of main beams. The smashed off timber I place a bit under the crowbar to increase the leverage,

[@barrypinkney7169]

​@@kirstenwhitworth8079 🎉

[@barrypinkney7169]

​@@kirstenwhitworth8079 🎉

[@scotchcrofter9964]

Pallets are awesome things.

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

They certainly are :)

[@colinshort3116]

You make it hard work I have been splitting pallets for 20 years and I have never struggled like you do

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

I bow down to a better man :)

[@lambros1956]

Thanks for taking the time to share.

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Thank you for your kind comment :)

[@steveedwards4495]

I use a small one handed circular saw. I go straight up the right hand side, then right hand side of the centre bar then left hand side of the centre bar then finally right hand side of the left hand end. This is for fire wood though.

[@thomasdoubleday4430]

Great video, just what I needed to find easy and simple.

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Glad it helped

[@louisebrighton7865]

I had a real issue with my pallet, it was having none of it. So I just went absolutely booloo at it with a hammer 🤣. Did the trick 👍🏻

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Sometimes there is no substitute for a bit of bish, bash, bosh! Was it usable after?

[@louisebrighton7865]

@@TheOptimisticGardener yes! I made my seed tray out of it 🤗🌱

[@spoolsandbobbins]

Way to not give up!!!! Hilarious!

[@sunriot7112]

Love the content. Used your method to take apart some pretty big and heavily nailed pallets the other day. Only broke two boards mostly from my ignorance and learning curve. However, salvaged them by cutting off the damaged parts. Still some high quality scrap wood!

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Thanks for your great comment :)

[@stevekelley1179]

Thanks for the information on the pallets

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

I hope it is useful for you :)

[@kensleylewis]

Good tips - many thanks! The only thing I would add to the end of your video, is after you sacrifice the little bits on the sides, how to get them out later, this way you can still use all the legs of your palletes.

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Great tip! Thanks for the comment :)

[@cheryltaylor1322]

Thanks for Steve another helpful video

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Glad to help :)

[@MotosAllotmentGarden]

Another great video, keep it up, really good idea’s

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Glad you like them!

[@grahammorris6252]

You can save time by useing a mattock. Leaveing the pallet on the floor. Easier to take apart

[@GrowingAGreenFinger]

next year i'm gonna start some pallet projects! Other stuff happening this year, but you've given me some great ideas!

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

I am stalled at the minute too. I am supposed to be building an outside bar on my pool deck, but as it looks like it is only going to be me drinking at it at the moment, my other projects are taking precedence :)

[@joanies6778]

Definitely will give this a go! Thank you.

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Have fun!

[@22dekester]

Another great video Steve. This is my second watch ! Q: I have some pallets that have no colours painted anywhere , but also not stamps identifying their treatment. Would they be safe to use for siding on the outside of my greenhouse, ( inspired by you). Thanks for your time and I hope you had a great trip across the pond.

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Yes I am sure they'll be fine!

[@thesnoopy1009]

Nice one all improvised copies 👍. Using all clean pallet wood like how folk made there own greenhouse is not complicated to understans

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Not sure I understand your comment

[@davesullivan8073]

Oh my ACHING back. Build yourself a table bro.

[@paulanderson4633]

Look up methyl bromide and exactly how it treats the pilot it does not hurt you and you can eat right off of it

[@marythomas6478]

I see you have a 2nd video, will check it out!

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Yes you will probably have to sacrifice the length of some of the boards on one side by cutting them to allow you to get to the other side.

[@lynk2shaggy]

Why not go beneath the 1x4 with an oscillating tool? Rather than sacrifice the 1x4, or a portion of it, you could save it all.

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Why not indeed?! Probably because I didn't think of it, or don't know what an oscillating tool is :)

[@constantinimbs4039]

Dear Optimistic Gardener, apologies for digging that old video out, but had to ask a question about those painted pallets you were about to use for a shed. Do you know what sort of chemical treatments paint marked pallets get, or is methyl bromide systematic? Can't seem to find any info on this topic.

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

So I am not sure about the actual chemical treatments that are used. They are obviously safe to handle, you just don't want to be using them for direct use as raised beds or planters for food or making furniture for in your house. Best to be safe.

[@constantinimbs4039]

Very many thanks for your quick response @@TheOptimisticGardener! Not quite sure where the "spray paint = chemical treatment" statement originates from, as a used pallet dealer just showed how he personnaly sprays some coloured paint for larger pool client maintenance management. His competitors do the same to identify the pallets they have to repair. He's never heard it could indicate chemical treatment, and I can't find any source over the internet that specifies how spray paint indicates chemical treatment. Staying on the safe side is best practice of course, but information checking also, so I'd like to check this "spray paint = chemical treatment" equation out if you could help me find someone who may know where to look. Anyway, very many thanks for your great vids. Best!

[@faedoyle4147]

The key is apparently patience….you say…let me think….let me think. I say @&$):’@:&$;)) and give up. Lol love this video!!

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Thank you 😊

[@joanneharding2181]

I think its an awesome way of taking apart a pallet, however i still cant manage it lol is it because the ones i have are block pallets and dont have the long end to end runners/skids. Need help/advice thanks

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

It is always a nightmare when a pallet won't come apart, I had one the same as your type, I believe, just yesterday that wouldn't come apart like usual. Sometime the nails are just too long. But, a couple of questions: 1) Are you using a heavy "mallet" type hammer, that always makes a difference. 2) Could you take a photo and send it to [e-mail] and I could have a look.

[@ya00007]

EPAL pallets are the most difficult. And you didn't show us how to disassemble. You'll find them over here I the uk, not Canada

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

My apologies for missing that out! I will have to look at that, I am sure I have taken apart most types of pallet successfully, even if sometimes it takes some cutting of a few slats.

[@charlenekociuba7396]

you did great until I saw how much brawn is needed using the hammer! So the takeaway is to find the easy softer wood pallettes to do projects. I enjoyed watching your greenhouse build, taught me a lot.

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

It really does depend on the pallet. You definitely need a good heavy mallet hammer though :)

[@johnbowker3260]

ooer mind yer fingers with that circular saw...

[@williambennett26]

So much hammer energy being absorbed into the soft ground. Needs to be done on solid resisting ground.

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Yes indeed

[@RaysLaughsAndLyrics]

Set the circular saw to cut to the depth of the stringers. Gives you safer use of the saw. Your plunge method will ruin your piano lessons .

[@kirstenwhitworth8079]

Please wear your hat and veil! Those black flies look awful. We can see your face and expressions clearly through the veil. Thanks for the pallet tips and tricks.

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

I do actually wear it most of the time, but there weren't many around when I started filming. They just sneaked up on me!