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.
I would love to win a Dremel.. It would be great to help with our Reno projects.
I started following you on Pinterest.
I have several projects that the Dremel Multi-Max would be perfect for! First I would use it to build some chairs and a table for my cousin’s twin 2-year olds for Christmas. Then I would work on something for me.
I loved your collection on Joss and Main :)…… I too could use the Dremel for cutting pallet wood.
Thanks and blessings
Oh I would use it for jewelry, stamp making, and to try soldering for the first time.Thanks for the tut!
Thanks Brittany for all you wonderful ideas! You are a great role model!
I posted to Facebook. I am a pitiful typist. I really would love to win a Dremel, not a Drexel!
I started taking a pallet apart today…..want to piece the pallet together to make a sign for over the fireplace.
Thanks for this opportunity, Brittany. Hope you’re feeling better!
Barbara
I have been following you on Pinterest and subscribed to your blog for a good while.
I would use a Drexel to cut apart pallets, woke on our kitchen and bathroom cabinets, for working on my vintage sofa, and many more things. Give me a chance to use it. Thanks for the giveaway.
I have been looking at a drexel for ages drooling. I woul love to win one.
Brittany,
I would be using the “Dremel Multi-Max” to remove the old calk from my deck railing so I can re-paint. Then I’d bring it inside where I could cut that old pvc pipe under the sink and put a new one on that fits better. Then down the hall we’d go where I would remove the broken floor tiles and replace with new. Somewhere inbetween all of that I’d also like to make the bean toss game for the grandkids. Oh, also need to fix the door’s that stick and we haven’t even gone downstairs yet. I could really make good use of the multi-max…if you give me the chance 🙂
from one “almost” pretty handy girl….Thanks for the chance!
oh! I want a dremel so bad. ~sigh~
& oh my gosh – this would be a real boon
while helping to redo my mom’s kitchen cabinets!
..all those cabinets..
And this is my nice comment! 🙂