How can I pull the nails out of a pallet without ruining the wood?

Question

I would like to break down a pallet and reuse the wood. I tried but those nails that are "threaded" are a bugger to pull from the wood. I uesed a hammer, flat head screwdriver, and even went and got a small pry bar with not much luck. I have heard you can saws-all through the nails but would prefer not buying one just for this. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Answer 1

I have done this a lot and you have to have a good crowbar. The nails will sometimes break and you will have to dig them out. The first thing is to set your mind to doing it because discouragement is right there. Those nails are called twist nails and the purpose is to hold the wood and that it does!
Those boards are mighty nice wood to salvage. It is also slow work...Good luck

Answer 2

I'd like to expand on an answer by Stephen W. I used to use the wood from pallets to make Birdfeeders. To get them off the runners I used a Reciprocating Saw "Sawzall" to cut the nails from underneath and then just punch them out from below. This is a little more difficult for the middle runner, but you can get long blades for these saws and actually bend the blade to get under the wood to the nails. (This is easier done than said!...but be careful and use eye protection) Do the outside nails first and then the middle.
If you don't need full lengths, I used to use a chain saw to cut the boards in between the runners and these were perfect lengths for my birdfeeders. This gives you shorter boards but no nailholes. Good Luck.

Go to www.Harborfreight.com and you can buy a reciprocating for about $20.00 Not the best but adequate for this job.

Answer 3

You'll have to use any combinations of methods listed above. I once made a great looking bathroom vanity out of used pallet wood. It was a rewarding project. The reason I used it was that I wanted to experiment with hardwood and I didn't want to buy new stuff. So going through all of the work to get the boards pulled apart made me enjoy the job a whole heck of a lot more than merely buying the stuff at a lumber yard (as one with the wood and the trees and all that noise). Good luck to you. I hope it comes out as well as you imagine your project.

Answer 4

Without knowing the planned use for the wood after the fact and with respect to the other answers above mine who offer valid suggestions, the task will be tedious as well as unrewarding possibly.

A "Wonder Bar" can help, with some effort and leverage, but consider this... A pallet isn't meant to be disassembled.

Without knowing where you are located, or the extent of this adventure, You can RENT a Recip Saw, and attack the task.

I guess I'd be curious as to your reason for wanting the wood, because it certainly is less than #1 of any wood used, often "scrap" Oak, etc.

Steven Wolf

Answer 5

Those nails are made to hold and not come out, chances a slim you can take them out with damaging the wood. I always just cut them up and use them for fire wood, they burn a long time and the wood isn't worth using for anything else that's why they use it for pallets.

Answer 6

ring-shank nails? handy. 1) dry wood shrinks, wet steel rusts - just wait. 2) don't pull nails - use a punch and drive through 3) recycle pallet, invest in some lumber. 4) your call.

Answer 7

Depends what you need the lumber for. You could just saw the ends off, just avoiding the nails. Throw away the parts with the nail in it. Your boards are now a bit shorter but you don't even have nail holes anymore.

Answer 8

Forget the screwdrivers
Go buy whats called a cats claw or cats foot nail remover/pry bar, cost about 8.00 at all good hardware stores
You are right those nails are shot in with a power nailer and many hae a little hot glue on them too

Answer 9

Dude...its a pallet, beat to crap and made out of shitty grade wood. Let it go, life is short enough.

Answer 10

reverse ur thinking! Try a punch + hammer to drive nails in until board releases.good luck.