Pallets are used to store and move goods. They can be easily deconstructed by cutting the nails that hold them together with a reciprocating saw.
This guide will help you do it in a matter of minutes. The first step is to remove the nails from one side of your pallet. Then, pry the boards apart using a hammer and crowbar. Then, use your reciprocating saw to cut the remaining nails. Easy!
How To Find Free Pallets?
You can find pallets by looking around your area. Most businesses/warehouses have a lot of pallets to give away. You can also check Craigs List or eBay for freebies.
Safety Precautions
- A reciprocating saw, an electric handsaw with a thin, rigid blade that moves back and forth on a track, can be very dangerous to use. These are safety precautions to take when operating your saw.
- Wear eye protection.
- For smooth performance, keep the blade clean and free of any debris. It should not be wetted or dried with any oil or lubricant.
- To avoid kickback (when the saw blade suddenly binds or jumps back at you or your other hands), cut at the right angle. The best way to avoid this is to push forward and down on the saw while feeding it into the wood slowly. This will keep the blade from binding and kicking back towards you.
- Keep your hands away from the saw blade at all times by keeping them on the handle of the reciprocating saw.
- Pay attention to where your fingers touch the blades. If the blade is moving, don’t touch it. Otherwise you could be seriously injured.
How Do You Break Down A Pallet?
Keep these safety precautions in mind because you will be using your reciprocating saw to cut through nails. You should always wear eye protection when operating or around power tools, but it is especially important with this tool because the blades are moving quickly and you could end up getting hit in the face if something goes wrong. The best way to use your reciprocating saw is to wear a pair of thick leather gloves. To avoid any kickback, ensure you have a firm grip on your reciprocating saw’s handles.
Tips:
- Start by cutting one side of the pallet. Next, use a hammer or crowbar to pry it apart.
- When cutting nails, push the saw down and don’t touch the blades. They will cause severe cuts to your hands.
- Be sure to wear thick leather gloves or a firm grip when operating this tool.
Cutting The Pallet
You will need thick leather gloves to safely remove a pallet using your reciprocating saw. To avoid kickback, if gloves are not available, ensure you have a firm grip on your handles. Making the first cut is the most important step. Start by starting on one side of your pallet. Next, guide the pallet towards the area you want to cut. Make sure it is slightly abovehanging.
Next, press down with the blade and pull towards yourself in quick even strokes. Continue this until you have removed all the nails that connect the board to the others. You should not pull or force the blade too hard as this can cause kickback, which is when the blade suddenly binds to your hand or jumps back at you. After cutting through the first board, use a hammer and pry bar to finish breaking it apart.
Repeat this process on each side of the pallet until it comes apart easily. Next, slide the blade along the slats‘ nails so it falls off easily. The last step is cutting any remaining nails with your reciprocating saw.
Removing The Slats
When you are finished cutting through all of the nails on one side of a slat, it will fall off very easily. There may be slats that are more difficult to cut than others. In this situation, just apply a little more pressure and cut at a steeper angle to get rid of that troublesome slat.
Do not pull the blade quickly if you are having trouble pushing into the pallet. Slowly guide the blade through each nail until it is all separated. Then push each board out before you move on to next.
A reciprocating saw can be a useful and versatile power tool. You can use it in many ways, so don’t be afraid to experiment! You can use it for DIY projects, demolition, or construction. If you wanted to take this tool outside of the realm of woodworking, it could also be used for cutting through a metal pipe or even ice when stuck in the car on a cold winter day. There are countless uses for such a handy device that can really add value to your tool collection.
Conclusion
So there you have it, a guide on how to break down a pallet with a reciprocating saw. Its an easy process that can be done in minutes as long as you have the right tools. Be sure to use caution when cutting and always wear safety gear. Now that you know how to do it, go ahead and try it!
