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Forum topic by mbrunson | posted 09-10-2015 05:41 PM | 1967 views | 0 times favorited | 20 replies | ![]() |
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09-10-2015 05:41 PM |
Hi Everyone, I am new to the site and it looks to contain a wealth of information. I recently lost my job and am trying to do woodworking projects for an income. I have a steady supply of pallets, but need a good tool to dismantle them. I have seen several homemade ones on this site. I was wondering if anyone might have a plan that I can make one of these tools myself. I don’t have any money at the moment to pay for a plan, I ask that someone may take pity on me and “donate” a plane to me. I would pass the favor on and would GREATLY appreciate it! Sincerely, -- M Brunson-Pass On The Knowledge!- Kosse,TX |
20 replies so far
#1 posted 09-10-2015 05:52 PM |
They are pretty simple (basically just a large fork!), so I’m not sure a plan is really needed. Do a google search for “Pallet Buster” for various ideas on how to make one. You can get fancy and buy the materials from a metal supplier, or keep it cheap by using bed frame angle iron and a chain link fence post for the handle: Pretty simple… start by making the “U” shape, put a piece on the bottom/back as reinforcement and to act as a pivot point, and then attach the handle at a comfortable angle. Cheers, PS: You will need access to a welder for a metal one, as I doubt you could make it robust enough using mechanical fasteners. I’ve also seen some made out of wood which might be a viable alternative if a welder isn’t available. -- Brad in FL - In Dog I trust... everything else is questionable |
#2 posted 09-10-2015 06:06 PM |
That looks similar to one I built. I have a friend, that has a welding machine…and some scrap metal…so we built one. Whew! It turned out to be heavy, but it will tear up a pallet in a heartbeat (lots of heartbeats in my case!). I have seen guys use reciprocating saws, circular saw, jig saws, even a simple 2×4 turned on edge!!! If you are wanting to save the planks, use the recip saw to cut through the nails. If you want to save the runners, cut the planks away and pull the nails. Remember, there is no such thing as a free lunch! Free lumber is not actually free. There is a labor factor involved – you and your time. And lots of folks don’t use pallets because of possible contamination from who-knows-what-or-where. Good luck. Here is an item I made for a fundraiser from parts of two pallets. It doesn’t resemble a pallet at all. That’s the way I like it. -- Handcrafted by Mike Henderson - Channelview, Texas |
#3 posted 09-10-2015 06:24 PM |
I used to take pallets part, I no longer do, I just cut the good parts out and burn everything else. -- Bert |
#4 posted 09-10-2015 06:42 PM |
Mike and Bert bring up a good point… It is much easier to cut the planks off using a circular saw or reciprocating saw, leaving the nails behind so you don’t have to deal with them. They are either ring shank or twist nails that are a real bugger to get out. You wind up with wood that doesn’t have nail holes, but are smaller than full length planks. If you are using the wood for shop jigs, fixtures, sleds, or other ‘rustic’ type projects, then it doesn’t really matter though. And a metal detector is a must IMHO. Even if you think you got every single bit of metal out of the wood, there could still be some hiding in there waiting to mess you up. A cheap handheld one from HF works well – and also makes a great pin-pointer for use with a regular metal detector when out hunting for treasure :) Cheers -- Brad in FL - In Dog I trust... everything else is questionable |
#5 posted 09-10-2015 06:59 PM |
Thank you all for your great advice. You have given me several ideas to try. -- M Brunson-Pass On The Knowledge!- Kosse,TX |
#6 posted 09-10-2015 07:15 PM |
I know that you wrote that you have no money but if you could find just little bit, buy this saw from Harbor Freight for 28.99 on sale minus 25% off , sometime it is on sale for 19.99. I bought one year ago and it still is going strong. Now go to work!!!!!!!!!!!! -- Bert |
#7 posted 09-10-2015 08:22 PM |
Mbrunson….. I am 27 miles from you, or thereabouts. I have an extra plane if you want it and maybe some other stuff. With your help we can build you a pallet buster. Just message me and I’ll give you an address. (I would give you a phone number, but talking on the phone is an exercise in futility for me). Dallas -- Improvise.... Adapt...... Overcome! |
#8 posted 09-10-2015 08:47 PM |
Izzy Swan provides instructions on how to make a wooden one on his youtube site. He sells the plans for $7.95, which seems about right to me. But you can probably figure it out from his videos (normally I’d just suggest paying the money, especially since Izzy provides a lot of free content to us all, but given your situation…) -- Jeremy, in the Acadian forests |
#9 posted 09-10-2015 10:12 PM |
“I bought one year ago and it still is going strong. ” -- Bert |
#10 posted 09-10-2015 11:43 PM |
I have one also. It works OK for me. -- Handcrafted by Mike Henderson - Channelview, Texas |
#11 posted 09-10-2015 11:59 PM |
I use it almost exclusively to cut pallets apart and for 19.99 you cannot beat the price -- Bert |
#12 posted 09-11-2015 12:13 AM |
Dallas- Thank you VERY much!!! I will be messaging you soon! -- M Brunson-Pass On The Knowledge!- Kosse,TX |
#13 posted 09-18-2015 06:30 PM |
I guess the guy wasn’t serious. I haven’t heard from him in over a week. For a 27 mile one way trip to get some much needed wood working stuff for free I would have walked. Oh well. -- Improvise.... Adapt...... Overcome! |
#14 posted 09-18-2015 10:14 PM |
Dallas- I am still VERY interested! I have sent you a message. Please respond so I will know if tonight is good for you or not. -- M Brunson-Pass On The Knowledge!- Kosse,TX |
#15 posted 09-18-2015 10:27 PM |
It can’t be at night as after taking my evening meds I am not able to function much and the wife wouldn’t know a tape measure from a table saw. Any daytime except Sunday is good. -- Improvise.... Adapt...... Overcome! |
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