Recycling pallet wood...

[thombat4]

I've been off work this week so since I'm never one to miss an opportunity to be outside I thought I'd recycle some of the heavy duty pallets I've been getting recently. What the factory looks at as waste, I see it as heating fuel and project wood. My dog Sheba who turned 17 this past June just wishes I'd be a bit quieter I'm sure!

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[oppermancjo]

Looks like some nice stuff! Wish the pallets I came across were that good and came apart that easy. Here's one of my Adirodack Chairs that I built from scrap pallets.



<IMG> View attachment 253681 </IMG>

 

[thombat4]

Looks like some nice stuff! Wish the pallets I came across were that good and came apart that easy. Here's one of my Adirodack Chairs that I built from scrap pallets.



Pretty cool piece of handy work opperman:msp_thumbup: If there's a steel company or metal stamping/fabricating place nearby they'll likely have these thick pallets laying around.

 

[husqvarnaguy]

I have tried that but would rather use real trees.

 

[thombat4]

I have tried that but would rather use real trees.

+1 on the use of real trees:msp_thumbup: But I refuse to let perfectly dry solid oak get dumped into a landfill. This stuff is going to supplement the burning of the "real" firewood. :hmm3grin2orange: Besides, these aren't the standard pos shipping pallets that are a bear to take apart...this is mostly oak 2 and a quarter thick by 3 and a half...waaayy to good to pass up!

 

[ponyexpress976]

Id be all over that like white on rice! That place is tossing dollar bills in their dumpster.

 

[thombat4]

Id be all over that like white on rice! That place is tossing dollar bills in their dumpster.

Yessiree ponyexpress...that's what I say! I took a truckload home yesterday...went back the next day and saw that they'd replaced the stack I took with an even taller one, so I took that one too! :redface: It's just to good to pass up.

 

[Steve NW WI]

Those are coil pallets. I work in a metal shop, our maintenance guy scrounges all the good hardwood ones. I just bring home the pine 4x4's that are dunnage between stacks of flat material, 4-5' long and not nailed to anything: http://www.arboristsite.com/firewood-heating-wood-burning-equipment/197330.htm I built a jig for cutting them to firewood size: http://www.arboristsite.com/firewood-heating-wood-burning-equipment/202621.htm My supply has been nonexistent lately though, it seems to be bonfire season, and everyone grabs a handful or two and the bins don't fill like they did when it was 90°. It'll rebound in a month or two though, and I've got space reserved for as many as I can haul off. Heck, I have a load of em in the stove right now.

A couple suggestions from watching your video: Take a couple of those blocks, cut em just short enough to go between the boards, and screw em together so the whole thing is supported at once and you don't have to move the skid around to get both sides. Then get you a long handled maul and just pound with the end of it, straight down. Your back will thank me.

I hate seeing all the wood that goes to waste at work, but unless I can get a good load like I can with the 4x's , it's not worth the extra fuel to drive the truck in to work to get it. (90 mile round trip).

Rep headed your way! (And if the MI guys ever get a GTG figured out, be sure to check it out. See the MI/OH member thread here in the firewood section.)

 

[thombat4]

Those are coil pallets. I work in a metal shop, our maintenance guy scrounges all the good hardwood ones. I just bring home the pine 4x4's that are dunnage between stacks of flat material, 4-5' long and not nailed to anything: http://www.arboristsite.com/firewood-heating-wood-burning-equipment/197330.htm I built a jig for cutting them to firewood size: http://www.arboristsite.com/firewood-heating-wood-burning-equipment/202621.htm

A couple suggestions from watching your video: Take a couple of those blocks, cut em just short enough to go between the boards, and screw em together so the whole thing is supported at once and you don't have to move the skid around to get both sides. Then get you a long handled maul and just pound with the end of it, straight down. Your back will thank me.

I hate seeing all the wood that goes to waste at work, but unless I can get a good load like I can with the 4x's , it's not worth the extra fuel to drive the truck in to work to get it. (90 mile round trip).

Steve thanks for all the info! I love learning new things here and have absolutely no problem taking suggestions or constructive criticism. I really got a kick outta reading the links and viewing the pics and video. When I posted my vid I was hoping someone who'd been there n done that would offer some suggestions on making work easier...so thanks buddy! As I was busting the pallets apart I was trying to picture in my head a way to make it better. With your suggestion and after watching your video I should have something fabricated pretty soon...when I do I'll be sure to post a pic or a new video! I can't bear the thought of all this excellent wood going to waste either:bang:. I have yet to figure out the "repping" thing but whenver I do I'll rep ya right back! Good stuff!

 

[Steve NW WI]

Sending someone rep is easy. Just click the little star button in the bottom left of the post you want to rep, and insert a witty comment if you'd like. Just be careful that you don't accidentally click the I Disprove button!

 

[ckr74]

I lke how you have them neatly stacked. Alot of BTU's that would have gone to waste. I eyeball them where I work, but most of them are junky.

 

[rmihalek]

I've got my winter's supply of pine pallet kindling all ready to go. My first fire may be tomorrow night when the temps are supposed to dip down into the 40s. I usually scrounge about 8-10 pine pallets during the summer months and break them down for kindling. There are those rare times when I discover a source of oak pallets and I grab as many of those as I can. If they don't go in the stove, they're great for the outdoor fireplace when the kids want to roast marshmallows.

 

[thombat4]

I lke how you have them neatly stacked. Alot of BTU's that would have gone to waste. I eyeball them where I work, but most of them are junky.

I was going to toss them through the basement window like I usually do for the standard firewood but then I realized I could make better use of the space in the enclosed back porch area...plus it'll be a lot easier to get to from there. If ya ever spot some of the better quality ones jump on 'em quick...they're definitely worth it!

 

[thombat4]

Sending someone rep is easy. Just click the little star button in the bottom left of the post you want to rep, and insert a witty comment if you'd like. Just be careful that you don't accidentally click the I Disprove button!

Ahhh now I see said the blind man:alien2:

 

[thombat4]

I've got my winter's supply of pine pallet kindling all ready to go. My first fire may be tomorrow night when the temps are supposed to dip down into the 40s. I usually scrounge about 8-10 pine pallets during the summer months and break them down for kindling. There are those rare times when I discover a source of oak pallets and I grab as many of those as I can. If they don't go in the stove, they're great for the outdoor fireplace when the kids want to roast marshmallows.

It's really something how after you become a wood burner that things you never really gave much thought to like pallets could become an important source of fuel.

 

[mtfallsmikey]

Norm built a coffee table out of cypress pallets on N.Y. Workshop, I believe the episode is on Hulu, NYW wants $24.95 for it...

 

[thombat4]

Norm built a coffee table out of cypress pallets on N.Y. Workshop, I believe the episode is on Hulu, NYW wants $24.95 for it...

Seen some pretty nice things made from pallet wood...furniture, sheds etc. I'm surprised ol' Normie hasn't built a house from 'em yet

 

[Richard_]

here's my recycled pallet builds

 

[thombat4]

here's my recycled pallet builds

Nice lookin' bench/bins Richard...heavy duty