Subject: Recycle pallets?

From: [email-masked] (ADowellcpa)
Date: 31 Mar 1997 18:07:07 GMT

I am thinking about reusing wood pallets to make a wood ceiling for my
basement. I do not own a planner; however, I am looking at a few 12"
types.  What are the pros and cons?  I know the wood will contain quite a
bit of dirt and I must pull all staples/nails.  Anyone know of any other
problems I might run into.  I alos know this would be tons of work. 
Thanks for any advise.  E-mail to:  [email-masked]

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From: Jim Dalton <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 31 Mar 1997 15:46:12 -0500

I have used recycled pallets for lots of stuff and they are OK.  Making
all the boards straight, and flat, will be a problem, but if it was
easy, everyone would be doing it.

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From: "Michael T. Breen" <[email-masked]>
Date: 1 Apr 1997 19:46:50 GMT

Jim Dalton <[email-masked]> wrote in article
<[email-masked]>...
> easy, everyone would be doing it.
I use old pallets for paddles for fraternities, (and my kids). You would be
surprised at the red and white oak you can get from them.  Trick is to get
the glued, twist nails out of the boards.  I found that a thin hack saw and
a pry bar do the trick quite well.  Then you get a scrap and plug the nail
holes with a plug / dowell cutter.  Put the boards away for a year to get
the moisture out and then thickness plane them to the same thickness.  Nice
wood for desktop caddys and other such projects.

If only I could get the nails out of the 2x4 rails...

Michael

[email-masked]

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From: [email-masked]
Date: Wed, 02 Apr 1997 15:42:46 GMT

>Thanks for any advise.  E-mail to:  [email-masked]  

If you've never tried to disassemble a pallet before, try it first.
Those things are built to LAST, at least the good ones. Forget about
trying to pull the nails as most are ring-shank or spiral nails and
are damn near impossible to pull. Take a chainsaw or circular saw to
it.

I used to work in a lumberyard and we'd get in dozens of pallets every
week of every imaginable type. The best were the ones that came from a
countertop manufacturer. They were 16 feet long and built out of 12/4
and 8/4 oak. We were supposed to send them back to the manufacturer
but that rarely happened. If you're serious about it, I highly
recommend checking the local lumber yard. Its amazing how much decent
hardwood you can come away with if you find the right yardman and slip
him a few bucks.

FWIW,

Josh

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