Pallet reclaiming & use

[PushyMonk]

I recently purchased a BT 3100 for a coffee shop job in Brooklyn. I'm going back and forth on whether to use my Ryobi AP1301 planer to shave all the boards the same thickness before skinning the cabinets with a straight/random pattern.
This requires only the same width in each row and that's easy to rip with a BT or other.

Although I am a builder, my original background is flooring.
The little voice or big depending on the day, tells me to make the cabinet surfaces just one plane like a finished oak floor. The architect wants it rustic but since these boards are from reclaimed pallets they going to need some kind of surface preparation.
We're not at the end of the world just looking to throw out the topic of conversation.

thanks and shout to Izzy Swan for the Pallet Pal plans and ideas catch this pallet guy on YouTube.... Worth the look!

[Bill in Buena Park]

If rustic includes texturing, you might consider using a wire wheel finish (wire wheel on angle grinder). Here's one example, you can search for others based on "using a wire wheel on wood". I believe its supposed to remove the softer grain, leaving the harder grain as raised.

[capncarl]

Pallets can have some pretty nice wood. One of our weekend contractors worked at a local crate company and was the "go-to" guy for the local woodworkers looking for nice specialty wood.
capncarl

[PushyMonk]

so simple wondering why didn't think of it b4... a respirator or simple cotton dust mask mention on this video be the icing on the cake thanks again

[PushyMonk]

Hmmmmm ......!

[poolhound]

Cool Idea I should make myself one of those

[joedad]

I also saw Izzy's video on YouTube. I made the Pallet Pal and use it all the time. Works Great.

[durango dude]

I got my start with pallets.

My best project was a sofa back table.

Made a few other things, as well.

We have a local beer company ---- and I look there for pallets. They don't use cheap pine ---- it won't hold a keg as well.

I've also found some great crate wood at the local motorcycle dealer.

The most interesting find I had ---- was the unfinished furniture store. They had pallets made out of oak and european birch plywood ---- nice 3/4" stuff!

My only advice with pallets is to watch out for nails. They can do nasty things to your planer.

I take pallets apart with a cheap jig saw blade and a crow bar.

Here's a table I made out of pallet wood. Look close, you can see the nail holes.

[ArtworksIII]

I've always used a cordless reciprocating saw on location to dismantle my pallets. Yup never seen a pine pallet poplar and occasionally other hard wood. I don't use the 2x4 spacers that make up the pallet.

[PushyMonk]

I'm lucky to have a heavy industrial area surrounding the New York City Brooklyn Queens. Once you start using this material you notice that they are everywhere, it's amazing how much of it you've driven past it over the years ...still it's a PITA to get these things broken down brought to the shop and ready to use ....this is a hard labor of love I could see it already

Some true 2" x 3.5" oak pallet rails and that's after joining and ripping them down not bad though ....

[wardprobst]

Another pallet geek here, also don't overlook gym floors when they tear them out, great maple in many cases though lots of waste. Recycling lumber can be addictive but it takes you back to when great wood was available.
DALE@WARDPROBST.COM