The faster you disassemble your pallet, the faster you can get to work on your pallet wood projects . This is how to break down a pallet without damaging the boards. The only tool you need is a hammer.
This is the easiest way, I am a woman and I have had so much difficulty trying to break pallets down to make planters. Thanks for this video. I am going to try it now.
I love this... i was about buy a pry bar set and thought i'd have a quick word with "Uncle RU-vid"... I hadn't thought about using physics in this way, its perfect. Thankyou
Quick tip. Get you a longer 2x4 and run it the entire length under the top pieces. Then you don't have to move the 2x every time. It will save you a lot of time and energy.
ya i watched ten seconds and im like "hey, its not the fastest way... get a longer tubafour (say it with a hank hill accent) and you save tons of work. quick tip : pallets are 40"x48"
This is so awesome, thank you for being clear and to the point. I picked up some palettes from a store with the intention of using them for Halloween projects, but I hadn’t thought about how to take them apart 🤦🏾♀️ you’re a life saver!
This is a great method, because it pulls the slats straight out of the stringer, instead of at an angle like a pry bar does, which causes split slats. One change I do, since I'm overweight and my days of comfortably working on my knees are in the rear view, is to prop the pallet up on 2 others, which are positioned just under the 2 end slats, with the slats I'm removing facing down. Then while standing, hammer on a longer 2x4 flat down onto the slats. Alternately, I've tapped down on the slats with the flat top of a sledge hammer, and even a post-hole digging bar with a tamper head (has good weight, and the tamper head is nearly as wide as the slats). For those slats that are opposite another slat on the stringer, and thus hard to hit flat-on with my tools, I'll finish up with these shorter chunks as in the video. With the pallet now much lighter after removing most of the slats, it's easier to pick up and set on a sawhorse bench, allowing me to stand while doing this method. And one thing to bear in mind, especially when the pallet has those hard-to-remove heavy twisted nails, is that those come in a strip together in the nail gun, connected by short wire pieces, which often break off and become embedded in the nail hole. Those little wire bits are murder on an expensive planer. So as a precaution, it's always a good idea to drill out the nail holes with a slightly oversized drill bit, which is much less expensive than a replacement set of planer knives, or even a table saw or miter saw blade.
The guy at the hardware store that I've become friends with because I'm always in there getting pallets told me about this video. It will certainly help me build my pallet empire. Thanks
Tried this. None of the boards even moved a millimeter. Either I have the most well constructed pallet on the earth or his pallet is super old and already worn.
I've been taking pallets from work and from local businesses (with both their permission) for years now, and I've always wondered what the best way to disassemble them without wrecking them completely is, so this was very helpful for me, especially since it's free (for me) wood that I can actually use.
Great amazing breakdown techniques....I knew your video would be great when I saw your shop and the detail you’ve given to it’s organization....thanks for posting
New to woodwork. Messing with pallets for fun. Watched many videos and tried all the different ways. Hammer n pry bar. Sawzall,circular saw down the supports. This truly is the Best way. Qicker, less aggravation, and best way to keep the boards in the condition they are with no cracking around nails and makes it easiest on your next step removing nails. Was even able to sit on low mechanic chair on wheels n move pallet around board to board with no effort or energy. Great video for beginners. Thanks for taking time to make this video and make the project simple but efficient. 👍
This was awesome, thank you! I have been struggling with a couple of pallets. I started prying the joints apart first with a knife, then getting the claw part of the hammer in and hitting the hammer with a mallet until separated enough to pry each joint area apart with the hammer further. After an hour or so, only being half way through one side while sweating and swearing up a storm... I found your video. A million thanks! ❤ Your newest subscriber!
I've got some pallets to break apart, and this is such a smart way of doing it. Simple as well, dunno why I haven't thought of it already. I'll be back to edit my comment with the results!
I love your technique! Your method is the first time I have watched a pallet dissemble where somebody hasn't muscled their way taking a pallet apart OR broken the wood. Although at 64yo I still move 65 pound hay bales for my horses, I like working Smarter, not harder. KUDOS!!
This works great! I didn’t have a crowbar and this works perfect. As seen in the video, be sure to hammer using a wood block, because hammering directly on the pallet will wreck the wood.
Thank you! I've trying prying them apart with a claw hammer and using a reciprocating saw to cut them apart. This method looks easier and safer. I'll have to give it a shot!
I have to say this but finally someone came with an idea to take does wood pallets off...instead of spending money on all does metal bars.. I do the same thing because I have retried and have the time...and I enjoy doing it...got the time and save me money great video....
Just got an Idea Artisan Made...everybody try's to take the pallet from the top first...and not the bottom...get it...if you take off does three pallets first and leave the 2x4 with the pallets...than you can turn it over put a block wood 4x4 (about 3 or 4 feet long next to the 2x4 and just hit the 2x4 with the hammer the pallets will pop out...by the way you can use also a piece of 2x4 to hit the 2x4 on the pallet sides...I did one and try it out and all of them came out great...try it...remember the three bottom pallets or more first...happy wood working... Thanks for the idea...
I'm just starting at wood working as a hobby and with the price of lumber, I've been snagging pallets, been worried about breaking the pallets. But now, I'm going to have so much wood
