Project Guide: Building With Pallets

Building With Pallets

1. Where to Find Shipping Pallets

• Flooring and Home Improvement Stores




• Grocery Stores




• Pet Supply Stores




• Wine Stores




• Furniture/Equipment Stores




• Construction Sites

2. Choosing Good Pallets

• Only salvage pallets that are marked with an HT stamp, meaning that they have been heat treated, as opposed to treated with chemicals.




• Look for pallets with healthy, undamaged boards. If the boards appear greasy, stained, or cracked, move on to the next pallet.




• Pallet boards are originally made for transportation, not for home decor, so their planks are often slightly different lengths and widths, even within the same pallet. Be aware of the planks yours has before getting to work.




• Pallet planks tend to warp and can be difficult for precise construction. Make sure to pick pallets with the flattest possible planks.

3. Prepare Your Work Space

• Clear space to work insight a wood shed or outside




• Make sure you have a clean, sturdy surface to lay pallets against when dismantling them




• Work on a solid floor (not over grass or pebbles) as stray nails and splinters can get buried in the ground

4. Prepare Yourself for Working

• Wear all protective gear when working with wood and nails to prevent accidents




• Wear work boots or other sturdy closed shoes




• Clothing may get covered in wood splinters, so wear work clothes

Basic Tools Include:

• Woodworking Gloves




• Mask




• Protective Glasses or Goggles




• Sandpaper




• Sanding Block or Palm Sander




• Sturdy Work Bench




• Wood Clamps




• Sawzall (Optional)




• Hammer




• Crowbar

1. Types of Projects for Pallets

• For heavy duty projects, like a pallet patio or porch chair, you'll need a type that can support more weight.




• Plan out which planks will go where as you work.




• Planks that are straight will be needed for the structural parts of your project, while more curved or uneven planks can be used as decoration or cover, giving the project a rustic look without threatening the structural integrity.

2. Taking Apart Pallets

1. Table saw method: Use the table saw to cut the planks free just inside of the nails. This will leave you with far less nails to remove on each plank, and if you're doing a small project that requires shorter planks, this is a quick and easy method.




2. With a Duckbill Deck Wrecker: This tool makes pulling pallets apart very simple. Just apply leverage to the handle (like a crowbar), pull the boards apart, then pull out the nails with the backend of a hammer.




3. With a Sawzall: Though this is an additional expense, this might be the easiest and quickest removal you'll find. Simply guide the blade of the sawzall straight down each end of the pallet, cutting through the nails as you go. This technique (from Old World Garden Farms) will leave you with nails embedded in the wood, which saves you from wrenching work and creates a characteristic finish.




4. With wooden blocks or boards: If you're looking for a very bare-bones removal method, place a wooden block or plank between the planks of wood and stomp (carefully!) on the edge of the plank, using the pressure to break the plank free. This method may lead to some breaking and splintering.

1. Painting or Staining

2. Clean-up

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