New To Lumberjocks

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,
Brad

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

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,
Brad

- MrUnix

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.
Consider looking for shipping crates, especially those of equipment where they are a one time deal.

Good luck.
Mike

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.
http://lumberjocks.com/projects/169658

-- Handcrafted by Mike Henderson - Channelview, Texas

I used to take pallets part, I no longer do, I just cut the good parts out and burn everything else.
In addition of being easier and faster this also greatly limit the possibility to forget nails in the wood.
In addition use a metal detector before I use this wood.
In the past a piece of steel in a piece of wood that I was pushing through a wood-shaper cost me two fingers

-- Bert

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

-- Brad in FL - In Dog I trust... everything else is questionable

Thank you all for your great advice. You have given me several ideas to try.

-- M Brunson-Pass On The Knowledge!- Kosse,TX

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.

http://www.harborfreight.com/6-amp-heavy-duty-variable-speed-rotating-handle-reciprocating-saw-61884.html

I bought one year ago and it still is going strong.
The HF blades are pure junk, buy some blades at the Home Depot:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Diablo-Nail-Embedded-Wood-and-Metal-Cutting-Bi-Metal-Reciprocating-Saw-Blade-Set-6-Piece-DS006S/203464894

Now go to work!!!!!!!!!!!!

-- Bert

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!

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

“I bought one year ago and it still is going strong. ”
I mean to say” I bought one, yearS ago and it still is going strong.

-- Bert

“I bought one year ago and it still is going strong. ”
I mean to say” I bought one, yearS ago and it still is going strong.

- b2rtch

I have one also. It works OK for me.

-- Handcrafted by Mike Henderson - Channelview, Texas

I use it almost exclusively to cut pallets apart and for 19.99 you cannot beat the price

-- Bert

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

- Dallas

Dallas-

Thank you VERY much!!! I will be messaging you soon!

-- M Brunson-Pass On The Knowledge!- Kosse,TX

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.
I think I am done offering anyone anything. At this point I would rather burn it or scrap it, cause I sure as hell ain’t gonna go out of my way. This is about the sixth or seventh time I have offered someone close by a bunch of the shop stuff.

-- Improvise.... Adapt...... Overcome!

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.
I think I am done offering anyone anything. At this point I would rather burn it or scrap it, cause I sure as hell ain t gonna go out of my way. This is about the sixth or seventh time I have offered someone close by a bunch of the shop stuff.

- Dallas

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

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!