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.
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!
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
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.
I love this... i was about buy a pry bar set and thought i'd have a quick word with "Uncle RUclips"... I hadn't thought about using physics in this way, its perfect. Thankyou
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.
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.
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. 👍
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!
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
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!!
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...
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.
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!
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'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
Thank you so much! I just picked up some pallets to make shutters for my house. I got permission to take them. This is the only video where I don’t have to go out and purchase $100s of dollars worth of tools.
I do it a similar way. Instead of the sledge hammer I just use my foot - - - size 13. After a few stomps I figure out how to separate the boards in one stomp.
Brilliant! I'm going to try this now. Pulling them apart has been so intense and cracked so many boards. The nails... are so strongly set in the wood it's almost impossible. I was using my saw and cutting the ends leaving the nails and end piece on the supporting board. That would leave the middle nails to pull out... Still so much work. Ugh.
I've done this for quite a while now. Makes me wonder why anyone would want to use a SawzAll to break down pallets. Also, you get so much more usable wood. Only "sucky" part is de-nailing the pallets. Oh well, cant argue much about free wood!
I'd love to see you do a video on Blue paleets I@ve just got a load and want to keep the wood good but in a quick and simple way.Greetings from eastern England
🥰🙏👍 How brilliant, ❤ it. How long do you need to take apart a pallet using this method? Going to build a view planters upcoming weeks. My goal is one planter one pallet and reuse all the nails. I am not an expeienced builder but I get the job always done. Just to get an idea how long it takes me for one planter. My plan is to disasemle the pallets before transportation to get as much wood as possible into my car because it is not as wide as a pallet is. Blessings from Germany
The first video that doesn't use the entire woodworking toolset! Thank you! I needed some simple directions and obtainable tools 👍
No one wants free pallets, and I don't want to waste perfectly good wood. You are a life saver!
Thank you for showing me a way that doesn't involve me purchasing expensive tools I don't have. I love it.
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.
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.
was just thinking this... eliminates a lot of readjustmen; great insight
💥Boom! Mind blown! 💥
You sir, are also awesome and helpful and much appreciated!
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"
Best vid I've seen so far for removing pallet boards. Thanks for the upload 🤘💖🤘
Thank you!
2 years later and this video is still helping people. Thanks for the help.
Totally helped me, I've got dozens of pallets and busted so many trying to use a crowbar or a reciprocating saw. Thanks for this vid!
No Problem! Happy Building!!!
The best way I’ve seen so far if you plan to use all of the wood. Watched tons of videos.
Thanks
Without doubt the best video on pallet dismantling for a woodcraft beginner like myself and I’ve looked at quite a few. Brilliant !
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!
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
I'm curious as to what you've built so far.
This is great not having to buy some random tool for the nails like other videos. Saved my free pallet inspiration!
I love this idea. I split so many boards, when breaking down my pallets, using a prybar, and hammer. This also looks a lot less back breaking.
Get a pallet puller, its a great cheap tool to add to your arsenal.
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.
Never would have thought to do it this way, thanks for paying it forward and will try it next time when I begin another "pallet project"
I love this... i was about buy a pry bar set and thought i'd have a quick word with "Uncle RUclips"... I hadn't thought about using physics in this way, its perfect. Thankyou
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.
Thank you for being clear, concise and to the point. Your excellent method is useful for a beginner or experienced woodworker.
Awesome, no special crowbars, not gouging out the nails, just a hammer. Genius. Thank you
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.
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. 👍
Thank you for taking the time to post such a nice comment.
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 am limited on tools right now so this a perfect video. Thank you very much
Best way I've seen without having to buy expensive tools like Pallet separators, crowbars and chisels. Awesome. Thanks!
Now this is something I came to see. Engineering at its finest. I don’t have a giant saw to take my palette apart. Great vid
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
Thank you for sharing this idea. This great for those of us who don't have a tool box full of power tools.
Makes good sense!! Perhaps, I could make a special jig from this. Great video!!
I have not tried this yet but it's the best idea I've seen yet. Thanks
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!!
I want to be like you. If you keep moving, age struggles to keep pace.
Im reusing boards to mount plants on for my job and we have a million pallets laying around. Thanks for uploading, super helpful :)
Great video, dartboard too ...and ROMA hoodie ! I've almost busted fingers taking these apart before. This solves how tough it is to get them apart.
Love this idea. So much easier than messing with crowbars and saws. Thanks
Wow!!!!!!! The best dismantling pallets idea, I saw too many videos and believe me this is the BEST!!! Thanks for sharing
Now this technique I like, simple, efficient and very low cost. Great vid 👍 thanks !
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...
You sir has impressed my husband and I!!!! Thank you SO MUCH.
Wow soo easy, wish I’d seen this before buying 2 breaker bars. Genius!!
Thank you. Used this today. Took down 2 pallets in minutes and saved a ton of money in the swear jar! LOL
Thanks for posting this, really useful demonstration of how to dismantling without damaging
Has anyone else tried this???? This looks amazing.
Nice tip! And Thank You!!! for not explaining the reverse side of the same move.
Thank you! About to make my girls a lemonade stand this weekend. 🙌
Once again showing that the simplest solution is usually the best solution.
Great explanation, demonstration, great tune for the montage, exactly as long as it should be. We love to see it
Living in the rainy UK but as soon as I can I'm going to try this method. Thanks!
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.
This might be the cleverest thing I've ever seen!
Thank you sir! Saved me a headache and tons of boards.
You're a certified genius have about 25 pallets your video will definitely help us out👍
thank you. this is the kind of clever, simple solution i was looking for.
This video has really helped....thanks bro! American in South Africa.....
Brilliant, real simple, going to try this method, less waste/split timber.
So simple! But I would've never though of it lol. Thank you so much!
Genius, no special crowbars, awesome
I was prying the boards slightly then with a reciprocating saw cut the nails. Your way looks easier, I’ll try it. Thanks !
Um what?! This is the best thing I've seen in a long time! I can't believe this isn't common knowledge!
So simple, yet so effective, thank you!
so simple yet such a nifty trick, thanks!
Thank You!
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 have tried most ways of stripping a palett and this is the best way by far.
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!
The best way especially as you don't need any power tools and you don't lose any wood. Smart.
Best method ever! Especially if you don't have a sawzall.
Marvelous technique, low tech, you just saved me money.
Best method I’ve seen yet!
Thanks, that's very clever. I need to disassemble a pallet to make a base for pallets that will display photos, this was very useful
I totally love this. Straight to the point
Thank you for a solution that doesn't require me to buy expensive power tools!!
Looks too good to pass up. Picked up 5 nice pallets today and will use your method.
Thank you!
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
Wow, great video and super quick and easy to understand. Thank you!!
You saved me lot of time and wood too.
excellent. We broke our last pallet trying to pull it apart. This looks fantastic and will be using. Thanks
Great! Thanks. I'm going after my pallet wood now!
Thanks for the tip! Will use this to get the wood I need for my garden borders.
Hi. Simple and nice. I will test it tomorrow. Regards from Poland.
Almost effortless and so effective, thanks.
Simple, effective and great idea! Thank you
Yeah dude!! That suoer legit!! Love the fact you needs very few tools! Ingenious!
spent 10 minutes with 2 hammers and got one plank off. took a break and found this video. thanks for idea!!!
Been tryin to take some apart for a while now to build my wife a vanity. I have tried everything and this is the perfect idea. Thanks!
I’m going back out to try this method 👍👍 thanks!
Thank you so much! I just picked up some pallets to make shutters for my house. I got permission to take them.
This is the only video where I don’t have to go out and purchase $100s of dollars worth of tools.
This is such a smart technique. Thank you.
I do it a similar way. Instead of the sledge hammer I just use my foot - - - size 13. After a few stomps I figure out how to separate the boards in one stomp.
Brilliant! I'm going to try this now. Pulling them apart has been so intense and cracked so many boards. The nails... are so strongly set in the wood it's almost impossible. I was using my saw and cutting the ends leaving the nails and end piece on the supporting board. That would leave the middle nails to pull out... Still so much work. Ugh.
Wow that will save me so much time,wood and fingers.no more crow bars thanks for your help and vid
I've done this for quite a while now. Makes me wonder why anyone would want to use a SawzAll to break down pallets. Also, you get so much more usable wood. Only "sucky" part is de-nailing the pallets. Oh well, cant argue much about free wood!
This is waaaay better than my method of just trying to prise it apart with the claw part of a claw hammer 😅 Thanks!
I'm going to use this method tomorrow! Thanks man :-)
You sir, are a super genius
So extremely helpful!!! Thank you
I'd love to see you do a video on Blue paleets I@ve just got a load and want to keep the wood good but in a quick and simple way.Greetings from eastern England
Excellent. Just what I'm looking for in a video.love it.
OMG MAN, YOU ARE A LIFE-SAVER !
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!
🥰🙏👍 How brilliant, ❤ it. How long do you need to take apart a pallet using this method? Going to build a view planters upcoming weeks. My goal is one planter one pallet and reuse all the nails. I am not an expeienced builder but I get the job always done. Just to get an idea how long it takes me for one planter. My plan is to disasemle the pallets before transportation to get as much wood as possible into my car because it is not as wide as a pallet is. Blessings from Germany
Damn, so simple and effective, thank you!
If you do the MIDDLE and then the sodes the top board often pulls right off nicely even with the middle board partially still nailed in.
Thank you! I am building a dog house and this will help!!! A LOT!
So helpful! Thank you so much! I'm so grateful for you. 😊