How to Salvage Wood from Shipping Pallets
Pallet upcycling is all the rage today. But, if you’ve ever tried to actually remove wood planks from a pallet, you know that it is not an easy task. The nails that are used are typically spiral nails and are designed to really grip that wood. And if that’s not enough, they usually shoot 4-5 nails per joint. Sheesh, you’d think they were building a foundation for a 10 ton elephant. Okay, actually it is the foundation that has to hold tons of product as it is lifted by a fork lift. Which explains why harvesting pallet wood can be a labor intensive task.
I figured you’d appreciate it if I shared with you the quickest and easiest way I’ve found to salvage this beautifully rustic pallet wood.
Materials:
- Circular Saw (or jig saw)
- Pry bar
- Hammer
- Dremel Multi-Max (or hacksaw)
- Dremel Multi-Max metal/wood cutting blade
Instructions:
Lay the pallet on a flat surface.
Set your circular saw depth to about 1/4″ beyond the pallet wood.
Saw through the pallet board close to the joint. However, make sure that you are far enough away from any nails. (It is a good idea to look underneath before you begin to cut.)
Cut along the opposite side of the board where it meets the other side board. You should have two cuts now, but the board is still nailed in the middle.
This is a good time to break out the Dremel Multi-Max. (Side note: Dremel sent this tool for me to try — and I have to say — it was a huge help for cutting through all those excess pallet nails. I really liked the tool and it fit nice in my (small female) hand. I haven’t tried any of the other attachments yet, but will be using it to cut the baseboard trim in the bonus room soon.)
The Dremel Multi-Max comes with a few attachments, but you can buy other attachments as needed. Check out the Dremel accessory finder to figure out which bit or blade you need for your specific project.
To install the cutting blade, remove the collet nut on the Multi-max with an allen wrench (1). Loosen the nut until you can slip the wood & metal blade underneath.Line the pins up with the holes in the blade (2). Tighten the collet nut on the Multi-Max.
Insert the Multi-max blade flush with the bottom of the pallet wood. Let the blade saw through the nails. Don’t force or rock the Multi-Max.  (I was able to cut through the outer nails, but couldn’t reach the inner ones.)
Hammer a pry bar under the edge of the loosened board. Pry up the edge a little.
Slip a hammer underneath the pried up side and slide the crow bar into the opposite side of the board. Gently rock the hammer and crow bar outward to lift the board free.
To remove nails still in the pallet board, turn the board upside down (1). Hammer the nail through the board (2). Flip the board right side up and use the claw on the hammer to pry up the nail (3).
After a few hours I had amassed quite a collection of pallet boards and scrap wood from the shop. I used ALL of it in this project.
Stay tuned!
Read more tips on harvesting  pallet wood on Instructables.
Disclosure: Dremel sent me the Multi-Max to try out in a product review. I was not compensated to write this post, nor was I told what to write or how to use the tool. All opinions and instructions are my own.
Since I love birds and I have many gourds perfect for it. I would love to make some gourd birdhouses to add to the ones I already have in my yard. This dremel would be perfect. My husband would also like it to for some of his wood projects.
I follow you on pinterest too…..http://pinterest.com/labellaluna/
What a fantastic giveaway. Best one I’ve seen in a long time.Thanks.
I already follow you on fb.
Brittany – praying you get better quickly. I can’t wait to see your bonus room makeover. I’d love to win the Dremel especially for when we are working on our Grand Prix cars(like Pinewood derby).
Hi,
I follow you on Pintrest and like you on FB. I have very few DIY tools that are not manual except for the electric drill and screwdriver and other small tools that I borrow from my husband . I’ve always been a crafter and refinisher but now wish to build some items and turn a small room into a real craft room. I pass pallets every day on my way to the beach and would love to be able to pick some up and actually be able to use them. Thanks for all your free projects.
Sincerely,
Alice G.
Hello, Brittany “Pretty Handy Girl” Bailey, Thank you for your encouragement and your SUPERB tutorials. I speak for many when I say, Thank you for having real, true tutorials, that don’t skip anything that is necessary, and that have clear, step-by-step photos. You really care! You really want to run a top-notch website! I speak in gratitude for all of us that you will never actually meet – but inspire? YES! delight? YES! teach? YES!
Sincerely,
Jayjie
If I had a Dremel MultiMax I would finish my kitchen and bathrooms “repair and update” much faster, with more confidence, and happily.
I am now following your Pretty Handy Tutorials board on Pinterest. I am just starting with that one. I look forward to seeing more!
I am now following all your boards. I recently got into DYI and I am obsessing over it. I wish I could just spend $1000 right off the bat to get everything I need. But no dice! I am a fine artist and graphic designer and I love designer furniture but I can;t afford them. I know I would be really great at making furniture if I just had some basic tools. My birthday is on September 28th, check my facebook I speak the truth. I would love to win this giveaway. Thanks for the consideration. I’ll continue to dream big!
I have never considered myself a DIY kinda gal, but in the last year or so, I’ve been irresistibly drawn to DIY sites featuring women, like this one. If I had this tool, I might actually be emboldened to try laying new tile in the guest bathroom instead of just thinking about it!
I just disassembled 26 pallets for a project without one – would love one for the next 26!
My husband is deployed so I’ve finally had to start learning to use power tools. Oh my! What fun! Still have a lot to learn though. I took apart pallets with a hack saw, what a pain..i would definitely start on more pallets if I had an amazing tool. I follow your blog and on pinterest, thanks for the inspiration to continue on this new, exciting journey.
I would start by carving pumpkins. Then it would be handy to pull up linoleum in two bathroom I am going to tile. It looks like it could cut door jams, which is tricky without the right saw. I have trashed so many pallets before, now I can collect them and attempt to make a desk from them.
Hi. Love your blog. We’ve gotten sooo much info. Thanks sooo much!