Recycle a Pallet

Do not turn your nose up at pallet wood. ESPECIALLY the hardwood variety! Dismantling a pallet is a pain in the backside but it can be worth the effort. Hardwood pallets can be an unusual combination of woods, oak is common, cherry occasionally, and maple along with some others I am not sure of. I have a hard time turning down a pallet when I know it will offer up some really good wood if I am willing to work for it.

I either crowbar the thing apart or lately, since I have gotten lazy, I just cut the boards right at the stringers to separate them. This gives me small but usable hardwood boards. If I need the longer boards, I take the extra time to pull it all apart. Most of the time, I cut the stringers down into small turning stock, so I don't waste a whole lot when I am salvaging pallets.

I used to get pallets fairly often but not so much anymore. Many people are out there looking for pallets to sell to the pallet houses so they are a little tougher to get now. If you take your time with them, the wood is usually worth it. Pallets are normally built with the lesser quality wood. As woodworkers, we can translate "lesser quality" to high figure. Highly figured wood can be very difficult to work with since it has unruly grain and a mind of its own. Using sharp tools will speed things along and if you are using nails or screws, always drill a pilot hole or the wood will split, 9 times out of 10.

The boards are prime for scroll saw projects and pretty much anything that requires thinner boards. Really nice small wooden boxes, clock cases, and other small projects can be built from your salvaged lumber. If you get a chance to pick up a pallet, try it!

• Raised planter beds
• Now this is recycling wood!
• Recession woodworking
• How "GREEN" is your wood?
• Salvage for dollars

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Last update : 16-05-2008 13:19

Keywords : Woodworking How to's, Woodworking How To, Recycle a pallet, recycled wood, recycle wood

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