Pallet Wood Tips & Tricks

[@steveneugene339]

100 % AWESOME VIDEO . Thanks for making .

[@skeletorrocks2452]

Cool cats. But you should probably get one of those air powered nail pushers. Seriously it really speeds up the process. Plus it leaves cleaner wood.

[@lindamorse7463]

Lots of useful information for those just getting into working with pallets. I love that your cats want to be with and that you love them back. Thank you.

[@imari2305]

Who knew something that could be free could be such a hassle! Thank you so much for the information on those hidden little wires and nails.

[@SwedeEad]

Lots of little gems in there. I did not know about the wires in the nail holes, also I was worried about nasty wood treatments but you cleared that one up for me. Great stuff. Thanks a lot!

[@TheOlsonOutfit]

yes, those were a couple gems of info.

[@jimbohler6684]

Great job explaining in detail all of the little things that could go wrong if you don't take the time to dismantle the pallet properly. Thanks for the tips.

[@guiterry]

WOW!! Didn't know about those stamps, and that's some very good and very important information. THANKS FOR POSTING THAT!!

[@CJPhillips6648]

Your tips are time, and money saving. I was scared about ruining a planer blade, I am glad I double checked all the boards! Thankyou!

[@TheLoneWoodman]

Hi CJ, I'm glad it was helpful! Take care!

[@danderth]

I've watched a few pallet videos, but never heard your free tips. Thanks so much. And loved the cats!

[@TheLoneWoodman]

Lol thanks Dan. Take care buddy!

[@rexpimplemyer3839]

Excellent info. I didn't think about the the leftovers from airgun nails. A few drill bits are way cheaper than a planer blade for sure. I am fortunate that there is at least one company nearby that routinely disposes of their pallets to the public. I'll be using these tips in the near future.

[@jandblawncare8570]

Glad this video popped up! Like many, Im getting more into wood projects and going to be on the smaller side so I thought pallet wood would be perfect seeings how a friend has literally hundreds of pallets I can take whenever (most if not all are pine) but had no idea about the overseas stamps and the wire holding the nails. I already grabbed about 10 so we'll see how long this process takes and see if it's even worth doing. I know this video is 7 years old but a 1x3 or 1x4 x 8 is around 6-8 bucks.

[@leocal7659]

Just bumped into your channel. Got the roof done and they were throwing away the pallets and I said why not, lumber is crazy high right now. Ready to jump into a project and look for ideas and never thought about how to actually break down the pallet to work with it correctly. Thanks for the free tips, they work.

[@7Spevans]

Been using this wood saving method for 40 years. I Lund it way faster if the slat board are only wanted. Just get a skill saw and cut both ends off 2” and the center board is saved and you don’t waste splitting the nail ends . Btw that was wise to mention possible chemicals in wood. The ends can be used to heat the shop.

[@21cstinch]

Drill the holes to find the small pieces of metal - GREAT TIP. I was going to start using the reclaimed pallet wood and then I saw this. I'll have to drill those holes now! THANK YOU.

[@longhairmullet]

Chris S. Why are there little wires? I didnt get that? Have you found any when you removed nails, have you drilled yet?

[@21cstinch]

@@longhairmullet Most likely from the cheap nails used. I had to order a metal detector and had to wait for shipping. I literally just git it in the mail a couple days ago (Virus shipping I guess). I plan on doing the drilling and metal detecting this weekend.

[@eternalfizzer]

Thanks so much for explaining the finer points of salvaging pallets, especially safe tool use and how to build up inventory without wasting too much time before you have a project. You've convince me to drill out the nail holes before I ruin a blade. Probably saved me a few bucks!

[@lisaferrara8120]

I did not know know about those small wires on the nails!! Your video is so helpful. Thank you for posting this.

[@N4sir98]

Excellent video with lots of valuable information! I'm new to the "reclaimed pallet wood scene" and had no idea about the leftover wires from pneumatic nails or the stamp abbreviations.

[@tylerbug2009]

I love the carpeted floor!! I've found that if the pallets get rained on the nails tend to pull a little better. I have the same pallet buster and can usually knock down a pallet in about 5min. Save those nails too, they can come in handy on some pallet wood projects. The drilling out the holes is a great tip..... my planer wishes I thought to do that before I nicked a blade.

[@dgaztec1977]

😂 the "another one" segment of this had me laughing so hard. Great info, I have learned all these lessons a while ago as pallet wood is my main source of wood for projects but this is totally worth watching as a reminder as well.

[@kennethnegaard7599]

Such a good video. I learned a lot I did not know. Like the wire left behind from the nail gun used to assemble pallets. Thank you for that info, as I am getting ready to plane a lot of pallet wood for flooring and these wires would have ruined my blade and surprise me completly. Thank you again.

[@timothyvolkers5343]

Hey thanks for the tip about the chemical treatment. I've watched a good amount of pallet projects and never has anyone mentioned a chemical within the wood

[@TheLoneWoodman]

+Timothy Volkers Thanks Timothy, I'm glad I was able to help! Thank you for watching, have fun building! Take Care!

[@pebblesthecat3625]

The cats did a really good job of supervising the entire project. Time for a reward of cheesy biscuits I think. Just found your channel and my cats like it so I've subscribed.

[@TheLoneWoodman]

Lol thank you! My cats are a pretty big deal on my channel...they run the show.

[@Rayyvyn]

Thank You ! Ive been going crazy having trouble w/wood after i pulled all the nails out so carefully,i never even thought that it might be the nailstrip connecting wires.

[@TheLoneWoodman]

Hi Rayyvyn, I'm glad you found it helpful! Take care, and happy woodworking!

[@cacmang42]

I'm digging this intro music, very relaxing

[@maureenrandazzo2645]

Thank you. Did not know about the stamping. Also great info on the nail n barb removal.

[@glenfenderman]

Great video! I believe in saving wood any way we can!

[@rosesnewbeginning3547]

1 thank you for al the great tips. I am new to working with any woods and started a allotment and want to build raised beds and a pretty composting station and a toolbox from reclaimed pallets. And this helped out so much. It might be a pain to drill everything but it's better then ruining your tools. And waste money them I could have just bought the wood. And 2 your amazingly sweet with your cats. Kind regards rose

[@TheLoneWoodman]

+rose's new begining Rose, thank you for the kind comment. Those sound like some great projects you have planned! Make sure you use heat treated pallets as the MB kind could leech the chemicals to your plants and compost. I hope your projects turn out great, and I'm glad I was able to help a little. Thank you for watching and for the kind comment, take care Rose!

[@alfonzo907]

Excellent video and voice instructions , ( hate videos that use any methods beside voice instruction and complete demonstrations ). Very useful , even for amateurs. Thanks !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!---------------Ernest E. Johnson

[@kevindavis1219]

Nice video! Started off a little monotone but glad I watched the whole thing. You drilling the holes in FF finding wires was hilarious. Thanks for the tips.

[@glen1arthur]

pine pallet = firewood. thanks for your tips.... really like the one using drill bit to get out those wires!

[@henryriep4453]

hammer and punch?

[@pennilesspunk6906]

Just a quick comment..you nailed this video. And that's a free one!

[@cathyhendrickson9640]

Any man who loves cat's is OK in my book!! Love your little assistants.

[@RonKillian]

Looks like a great tool. For me after taking apart many many pallets, the best tool was my reciprocating saw with at least a 9in blade that cuts embedded nails. With that I can take apart a pallet in just a few minutes. Blade eats through the nails no problem. Just get the blade on the back of the board. Before that no matter how I pried or what crowbar I used, I always ending splitting or cracking some boards, just like what can happen with the tool in this video. Often ring shank or spiral nails are used on pallets (they want them to stay together), so they can be tough to get out. Only took me like 60 pallets to figure it out. Plus if you are doing a rustic look, leaving the old nail heads makes a nice touch.

[@sa7828]

Love that pry bar deal you’re using.

[@dalewysinger3077]

I hammered nails out for years; until I discovered a pneumatic tool specifically made for the job. It fits over the nail snugly, and with a squeeze of the trigger, it blows the nail out. It saves hours of hammering and prying.

[@norman7179]

A lot of pallets are made with green wood which sometimes warps and splits. Allow PLENTY of drying time for nicer projects made of pallet wood.

[@hansdegroot8549]

Interesting to hear (not only from you) that in the US you have oak and other hard wood pallets. Here in Europe, all what I've seen is pine (even sometimes the small blocks which hold the planks together I've seen being made of particle board or other inferior material. Pine is OK with me but for sure hard wood is better.

[@paulmanson253]

Hans de Groot From an article in Fine Woodworking magazine from decades ago,the big distilleries like Jack Daniels would purchase railway cars of the best white oak available. Despite paying a premium,their reject rate was high,30% plus. So there were several pallet manufacturers nearby to where the white oak barrels were made. Makes perfect sense when you think about it. Probably the same today,even though plastic pallets are now in regular use. Always used to wonder why they were so heavy with such good wood till I read that. Chemical contamination from use always a concern to me though. Still,if you are comfortable with finding a way to reuse really good wood,then why not ? Cheers.

[@kathleencopps3971]

Hi Hans, here in Eastern Canada the pallets available vary widely. I do not know if any of you out there have looked at these businesses ...But one thing i have noticed is at a couple of machine shops and heavy equipment repair shops, they get specialty pallets, built to transport large components. Often made of hardwood, like maple, birch & oak . I just picked up 7 at 2 different locations in the Burnside Industrial park. Business in this large industrial park , often have "Free" designated area where pallets are put , so people can recycle the wood. 2 of these were over 7 ft long ,1 had 2 4x4 inch birch or maple beams . they are in excellent condition. the other was 2x4's and all were 3 inch x 4ft hardwood boards.

[@taylorsessions4143]

kathleen copps that's such a great find! I just hit the jack pot with a local carpet and tile store. They have three big stacks of pallets inside their warehouse and said I could help myself! I took what I could fit in my trunk and they invited me to go back for more anytime. Have you seen any videos that in KZbin that could help me identify the different species of wood I could be looking at? Oak is pretty easy for me to spot but most of the lighter colored woods all look the same to me...

[@javierrendon7141]

Hans de Groot qq

[@javierrendon7141]

Hans de Groot 0

[@DenAndMug]

Great and easy techniques, these helped loads when we had 40 pallets to break down for our first video :) Thanks!

[@SteveLedger]

The Lone Woodman, not so alone with his two cats to su-purr-vise his work ;)

[@worthlessprofessor6477]

This has a ton of good tips. Thank you so much! I just spent this summer putting up a loafing shed with pallets for the walls. All going well we're going to put cob on it a la Miguel Cobalot's palletable cobins. After working with the pallets, I've been thinking of other projects (shelving) to use with pallet wood, so all your advice was really helpful!

[@Kiyarose3999]

i break up pallets for projects etc, and would just like to say if you havent got one of those bars he is using to remove the slats. A good way of removing them is to find the easiest slat to pull or wedge off, then use that first slat to lever off all the others, it works really well

[@classic287]

Good information. Love your cats 🐈

[@TheLoneWoodman]

+classic287 Thanks, Classic. They help out on all my project! Glad you found the information helpful. Take care!

[@mammalion4316]

OH MY GOSH, SOOO MANY USEFUL TIPS, WAY TOO MANY TO ENUMERATE!!! THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!!!

[@lonesomelou4188]

Hey...great vid...very useful info...there are two other stamps I've encountered: kd (kiln dried)...spf(spruce pine,fir)...thx for the vid...gotta get one of those pallet "crowbars"

[@mymai5859]

Thank you for so many useful tips. I always wondered how to tell which pallets were chemically treated. Brilliant warning about the wires imbedded in the nail holes. It was enjoyable watching you. Cheers !

[@shannaprinceau1394]

I want a shop like that!! You're a funny guy. Thanks for the free tips!

[@flowerchild777]

GREAT ADVICE 😆 Thanks a bunch

[@Canosa612]

Great tip about the label on the stringers. HT vs MB.

[@briantolley854]

I'll tell you where you can get pallets. For me here in slc, it's newspaper agency Corp, but, floor and decor gives them out usually on Thursdays and Saturdays here, and there are 3 stores, and they all do it on those days.

[@treasureman1198]

That's a lot of work thanks for the video I didn't know all that I use a lot of pallets and make furniture and things

[@NAVYWhistleblowerAssassin]

Awesome channel! Very informative. You're sharing all your experience so we can save time, tools and stay safe! Thanks for letting the kittehs 🐈🐈 get screen time!

[@alaskankare]

do you find yourself often using the entire length of board? It almost seems a better idea to just cut off the ends, and just use the wood for smaller projects? Seems like its a 50/50 if you are going to get a full length piece of usable wood out of it.

[@brainwashingdetergent4322]

When he said, nother one, I felt that!

[@bettyjeanblackburn2368]

awesome sauce by not getting any wood with [mb] stamped on it so we all dont get cancer from our wood.i didnt know that information behind the stamped letters on wood but i will pass it on to others now that i know.so thanks for the warning.you where plenty helpful.awesome sauce 2 thumbs up.

[@Archa322]

Thanks for the tips. Loved the voice effects...another one LOL

[@TheLoneWoodman]

+Michael Archa Hi Michael, glad you found it useful. Let us know how your project turns out! Thanks, take care!

[@pamcolechadwell1302]

Well, Thank you for the heads up on the dangers of pallets I didn't know! I guess now I have to just let all my old pallets set there do nothing with them because now there all brown and old probably can't see any kind of a stamp!

[@tashie6288]

lol...your cats are great! They love you!

[@TheLoneWoodman]

Thanks! They're good helpers in the shop!

[@TheLoneWoodman]

+bobbyt9999 he sure doesn't mind getting dirty! Take care Bobby!

[@reginamurhy52]

Your cats are sooo cute! They are a bubble gums 🤣🤣🤣 Congratulations, you have a nice work shop, very organized and clean! Best regards! Regina, Michigan.

[@javierrendon7141]

Natasha Hersom Buddycat01 pleyboy

[@Realunitedstates]

Great video, with tons of great tips and advice! Thanks so much for making this! Great job!

[@TheLoneWoodman]

Thanks RealUnitedStates!

[@lindaloftus8780]

Excellent advise. Thank you.

[@mwnciboo]

I like pine pallets for sacrificial wood. E.g making little Jigs, or wedges or pad pieces, clamp pads etc. Essentially use your good wood for finished products but pine pallet wood for scrap workshop stuff.

[@MALmade-di7ip]

Very helpful video, thank for all free tips you added

[@TNtoolman]

I don't even bother with the ends, jut cut off about 2" on each end and it does away with those nails. I have a Zircon metal detector which has saved many of my planing knives... the most valuable tool when working with pallets.

[@sjsuper1976]

Great info, very useful. Just subscribed!

[@sheilam6579]

Great tips. Also, entertaining!

[@salv434]

You make some great points..one thing I feel cuts the time in half is, go back to minute 2:28... I'll grab a rubber mallet, and HIT the wood back down. You do this 2 inches away from the closest nail to you. This drives the wood down and the nails stay put. You know have recessed nails, beckoning an extraction. So true on not forgetting to pullout all nails, then having a pile of boards with a fricken line all the way across from them. .or a mean ole extract on my cast iron table saw. Will strongly disagree with you on drilling a larger hole to extract a stubborn nail on the end or the tiny piece from the nails from a nail gun.. Honestly, if I'm gonna have a big ass hole there, I'd rather not waste my time messing with it and run my circular saw a quarter inch away from the nail and cut that end..ur only losing 1 inch and a 1/4 OF THE BOARD ANYWAY.. Which then got me thinking..if I don't care about 1 1/4", is losing 2 1/2 "s that much worse? Nope, it ain't..So instead of extracting the nails on the ends..I run my circ saw straight across all the boards on each end. Leaving the nails on the middle still waiting to be extracted..usually you can just pull one end towards your midsection, if you're standing on top of the pallet, then squeeze my bar in there and Recess the board..then hit the board and drive it back down and pull the center nails out . This however, does make it extremely difficult to take the nails out of the 2 bottom boards due to having no board leverage to work with and a small piece of wood attached to 3 stingy ass nails.. Those bottom boards are usually Oak too, making it a pain the f... A$$ that I no longer find worth dealing with.. Besides, those bottom boards ( usually a hardwood) are usually in really shitty condition and have that weird cutout, which I personally don't find too many applications for those pieces on future projects. Thank you for the video, you bring up excellent points. I hope you take my friendly comment only as an explanation of how I extract the nails...cuz I'm too fkng lazy to make a video.. thanks again.

[@steveb1739]

Haha! Love the kitties!

[@TheBigLeeg]

I recommend, in the planks(not stringers) pulling nail through the direction they where nailed in. Use a big pincers.

[@karim5170]

Thank you very much for your help .

[@gfbasagre]

great video mate!

[@TheLoneWoodman]

Thank you Gregorio!

[@thedevilinthecircuit1414]

Good tips! But that dollar-store hammer has got to go. A hammer with a short handle is only good for poking a nail into Sheetrock. You need leverage (a longer handle) to get that head speed. Spend $15 for a proper hammer and it will do the work for you.

Thank you! It’s super important these steps!

[@mr1cobra]

A good pallet air nail remover is the Air Locker ap700.

[@sixroldan6742]

Really great video with very useful info! But your cat buddies are the real reason I'm subscribing lol Awesome!

[@aussievaliant4949]

When you get given HT pallets in good condition, it's hard to pass up. Worth the effort imo, even though the stuff at the hardware is 'cheap'. Here in Australia though none of it is cheap. So long as they're not MB treated, grab it, use it, make something with it.

[@wtbleep]

"...another one..." very funny and entertaining with the cats.

[@TheLoneWoodman]

Thanks wtbleep!

[@juniorhaas5049]

Nice video! Thanks to share. I'm found interesting your tool to disassemble. Did you design that or bought? If designed, could share it closely?

[@IsaKocoglu]

Great ideas! Thank you so much 👌😁👍

[@H2Dwoat]

Hi, as a novice I struggle with identifying wood type. Could you do a video on identifying the wood you recover from the pallets?

[@anewbetterme9277]

Wow...I've been EDUCATED!!!👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

[@unitybasketball507]

Thanks for the HT information! Great content

[@richardroyles1423]

Thanks for the tips. Kansas

[@JandEAGRI]

Thanks for the help!!

[@anjelle828]

This is great! Thank-you for sharing😊

[@pappabob29]

How do you treat those dense oak stringers with the twisted nails that the heads so often break off of when you try to pull them?? I have one "round claw" hammer with a good sharp nail claw that I can drive onto the remaining nail shank so it "bites" the shank. Driving the hammer on seems to enlarge the nail hole somewhat and careful application of force on the hammer handle "usually" breaks the nail loose. Those that remain can sometimes be coaxed out with nippers or a angle head pair of diagonals. What about you??

[@ludovicobonsignore4284]

Great info!!! Really useful advice. Thank you very much for sharing yuoir experience!

[@alanthompson4912]

Finally somebody tells it like it is you really tell the truth about the safety of hitting nails with a circular blade, old boss of mine had gray dots on his chest, and I asked him how he got those and he said, a carbide blade shattered when he was cutting a skid apart with a table saw, ouch.

[@grindel80]

+1 for the cats

[@videodavideo]

Great tips.. Thx! Btw, kitty legs aren't handles, you can seriously injure them. Cute kitty!

[@lusiashulz5307]

wow , great information , thanks

[@Rophoenix]

You have beautiful cats and you are very lucky buddy!!!.. I'm a subscriber now and Nice video.

[@TheLoneWoodman]

+Rophoenix Thanks Rophoenix, they help out with all my projects! Thank you for watching and welcome to the club!

[@MrRenoman2011]

In Ottawa, Canada the price of Pine is high because it all comes from the US according to the people I spoke to at Home Depot. Maybe the extra work is worth it.

[@Spooms1961]

Thank you for those tips. I’m looking at starting a pellet recycling business hobby thingy, sort of! BTW, those drill bits you use to drill the nail holes out, are they magnetic? Or do the metal nail tabs just stick to the normal bits?

[@CJPhillips6648]

I watched your video on the Vestil pallet buster. I am get one, Thank you!

[@TheLoneWoodman]

Great! It's a great tool!

[@hatsaplen]

Did you make the big pry bar that used to break pallet down or is that commercially available.

[@jeffstieren4474]

Nice job ! Where did you get the blue handled board puller. That seemed to work great

[@11111972cjb]

Great tips. Thank you. Subbed and liked.

[@barnabyaprobert5159]

Methyl Bromide was outlawed in 2004 or 2005. The chances of finding one now, 15-16 years later, is slim.

[@cnigeldgriff6283]

@2:01 cat was like shiiiid Im out

[@rolivas303]

Great info! Sounded like you REALLY didn’t like working with pallet wood.

[@OUMagMan]

WOW - WAYYYY useful! Thanks & subbed!

[@TheLoneWoodman]

+Jim at MidOhio Thanks Jim! Glad to hear that! We've got lots of great adventures coming this year!