Wood Suggestion

[Vic99]

This is my first year burning. Like many new guys, I underestimated the amount of wood that I will need for a season, so I have been collecting pallets to supplement my supply.

Is there an easy way to break up pallets that I'm missing. It seems pretty time consuming for so little wood.

Basically, I rip it down the middle with a chainsaw or a sawsall and then either pull the planks off or use a rubber mallet to whack/bend the planks enough so that I can tear them off. I don't try to rip off every last piece . . . obviously it just needs to be small enough to get into the firebox.

Maybe there is no easy way.

Thanks.

 

[ChrisN]

I had to resort to using pallets my first burning season too. Sorry to say I never found a quick way to dismantle them. I was leary about using my chainsaw becuase of all the nails. I used a circular saw sometimes and a sawz-all others. I was glad the next season when I stockpiled enough cordwood and didn't have to mess with pallets again.

 

[Robbie]

Anyone ever try ripping them a couple times in strategic locations and burning them without removing nails ?


Robbie

 

[Jags]

Rip down the side (or both sides if you are at the center 2 X) of the 2 x4 cutting the slat boards off. You are now left with the 2 x 4 with little pieces of slats nailed to them and the slat boards. Cut the 2 x 4 into length. This DOES mean that you are feeding nails into the firebox, so you won't want to throw the ashes where nails are an issue. I can dismantle a pallet in about 60 seconds using this method. I used to have an old steel box stove in the shop that got fed many pallets.

 

[BobTheTomato]

I used some also. I would use a chain saw and rip 3 or so down the middle and then cut them to sizes that would fit in the stove. I burned the nails also. Just throw the ash out or buy a good magnet.

 

[Henz]

wow, arent you getting real desperate to burn pallets??? just kidding./

 

[BrotherBart]

wow, arent you getting real desperate to burn pallets??? just kidding./

Burning pallets is just heating. Burning the furniture some night in March is desperation.

 

[Henz]

haha, good one bart! Where on earth does pallet wood come from?? that is some ultra hard stuff

 

[Lignums]

Have the lowest man on the totem pole at work rip em down for you. It works for me. Working 3rd shift does have it's advantages now and again. A chainsaw, and maybe a saws-all will work alright for you.

 

[jpl1nh]

haha, good one bart! Where on earth does pallet wood come from?? that is some ultra hard stuff

A lot of pallets are oak! yummmm... some are spruce and pine.

 

[Vic99]

Lowest man at work, huh . . . . I'm a school teacher . . . give the 11 year olds power tools and rubber mallets. . . . have the parents sign a waiver.

Actually, pallets are pretty easy for me to get and I can burn them this year . . . I'll try some of the suggestions that are a bit different then what I do.

Thanks

 

[Lignums]

Of course the caveat of common sense applies. After all, if they cannot rip a 4 way pallet down, they do not belong in a manufacturing/assembly plant. At least IMHO.

As Mel Brooks stated...It's good to be the King..

 

[DriftWood]

wow, arent you getting real desperate to burn pallets??? just kidding./

Burning pallets is just heating. Burning the furniture some night in March is desperation.

Burning pianos is depression.

 

[DriftWood]

haha, good one bart! Where on earth does pallet wood come from?? that is some ultra hard stuff

Trees.

 

[JMF1]

I'll tell you what, if you can find larger skids with 4x4's on the bottom..........most of them are hardwood. I cut 'em to length and mix 'em in with the cord wood.