I want to pull nails from wood pallets. Yeah, I probably already
know all the ways you'll suggest already, drilling, cutting, pulling
apart, etc., etc. This is something new for you.
I want to be able to pull pallet nails straight out. A lot of
them break if I try to pull them out with a hammer, wrecking bar, etc.
And, yeah, I've got one of the old-fashioned type of nail puller, with
the sliding hande - see the first paragraph.
I'm thinking along the lines of something that will grip a nail
head, and use a rotating screw, maybe with a wheel for turning, to pull
the nail straight up, hopefully not breaking it on the way. Yes, I know
it would be a bit slow, but at times I've got more time then money,
which is one of the reasons for salvaging pallet wood in the first
place, and I want as small, and as few, holes in the wood as possible.
I was thinkng something along the general look of this steering wheel
lock-plate remover:
http://www.drivewerks.com/catalog/shopcart/TOOL/POR_TOOL_CAT387_pg13.htm
It does seem to me that somewhere in the past I've seen a similar tool
made for pulling nails, as I want to do. Or, maybe it was something
that could be adapted. I don't recall. Has anyone seen anything along
these lines, for pulling nails out? If so, will you point me to whoever
sells them, so I can check one out? Otherwise, I'll have to consider
making something along those lines.
But, before I reinvented the wheel, I checked google to see what's
new that other people had come up with. Not much. But, did come up
with this. http://www.collins-tools.com/nailpuller.htm From the
description, it would work, owever, it's the seller describing it. But,
before I buy something like this, I want to know if anyone here has
actually used one of these, and if so, how well does it do the job?
JOAT
Don't e-mail me while I'm breathing.
In article <[email protected]>, J T
<[email protected]> wrote:
> But, before I reinvented the wheel, I checked google to see what's
> new that other people had come up with. Not much. But, did come up
> with this. http://www.collins-tools.com/nailpuller.htm From the
> description, it would work, owever, it's the seller describing it. But,
> before I buy something like this, I want to know if anyone here has
> actually used one of these, and if so, how well does it do the job?
It's a mini version of the venerable puller a la
<http://www.acehardware.com%2fentry.point%3ftarget%3d13ae0a%26source%3dM
SN_DF%3a1289738%3aACE>
It ain't gonna work well on the ardox spikes that hold pallets together.
Good luck on your quest. If you find a solution I'd love to hear about
it. Until then I'll stay with "drilling, cutting, pulling
apart, etc., etc."
djb
--
Okay, so this is my new sig line, eh?
Tom Kohlman wrote:
> There is actually a tool designed to remove nails...sliding
> cast-iron hammer on a bar thing with claws and pry lever built
> in. Stick the front claw in under the nail, give the hammer a
> few whacks to drive in the claws, then engage the lever part
> and pull back like a crow-bar. My dad had a few (being the
> good frugal German he was, he would actually recover the nails
> for later use). After he died they disappeared (my uncle
> probably grabbed them...money-wise he made dad look like Santa
> Claus...if you stuck a piece of coal up Uncle Jack's ass you
> would have a diamond in a few hours). Anyway, it took a long
> time to find one but I did in some little old hardware store.
> I use it from time to time for removing decking boards and the
> like. I don't save the nails.
Tom...
I've used one of those [can't remember when or where )-:] but do
so little nail pulling that I never bought one of my own. [Come
to think of it, I hardly ever use nails at all.] Anyway, these
slide hammer pullers tend to chew up the wood around the nail as
they're hammered in.
I think I'd rather pop the nail head in a less damaging way, at
which point the slide hammer device isn't needed anymore, and
then pull the nail the rest of the way using a claw hammer and
wood block for padding and leverage.
I did my first woodworking in a place where both wood and
hardware were difficult to come by - there were no trees to speak
of and nails took three months to arrive by ship. After I'd
dismantled one pallet and pretty well disintegrated the other, I
hunkered down and hammered all the pulled nails straight.
Fairly senseless. Nails are neither scarce nor expensive in Iowa
/and/ I'm perfectly aware that the straightened nails are about
ten times as likely to bend. If anyone had stopped in and asked:
"Why?" I'd only have been able to answer: "The devil made me do it!"
I guess if I ever need a couple of 16d nails (to hang a picture
or something), then I'll have this neatly tied little bundle of
spikes on the shelf. :-P
--
Morris Dovey
DeSoto, Iowa USA
Hmmm, yep, now that I reread about that nail puller, I can see I
had the wrong idea about how it worked. From reading the description,
then just glancing at the pictures, got the wrong idea. Ah well.
I'm still thinking about maiking a nail puller tho. Something that
will pull nails straight out. Sure, it won't be fast, but it would
work. Time is money, d it my case that often means have more time to
spend than money. Besides, it's always fun making things on your own.
That's one of the reasons why people make things out of wood, isn't it?
So, I'll go ahead and design a nail puller. I've got most of it
worked out as is, just one part left that'll take a bit more figuring.
And another part, just need to decide which way I want to go with it.
After that, I'm not sure if I'll go ahead and actually make one or not.
There would be faster, more efficient, ways to accomplish the same
results. Could even make part of it from wood. That's be a hell of a
help, seeing's the kids have my MIG welder somewhere. There's always my
arc welder tho, they don't "borrow" that, even tho it isn't painted
yellow. LOL
OK all, thanks.
By the way, I just got an inspiration for one that will work as the
above idea, except much faster. I'll let you know when I get the patent
on it. LOL
Later.
JOAT
Don't e-mail me while I'm breathing.
They've been around since the earth cooled and work well. But, if
you're going to use one of these to remove many nails from pallets you
must have too much free time.
RB
J T wrote:
> I want to pull nails from wood pallets. Yeah, I probably already
> know all the ways you'll suggest already, drilling, cutting, pulling
> apart, etc., etc. This is something new for you.
>
> I want to be able to pull pallet nails straight out. A lot of
> them break if I try to pull them out with a hammer, wrecking bar, etc.
> And, yeah, I've got one of the old-fashioned type of nail puller, with
> the sliding hande - see the first paragraph.
>
> I'm thinking along the lines of something that will grip a nail
> head, and use a rotating screw, maybe with a wheel for turning, to pull
> the nail straight up, hopefully not breaking it on the way. Yes, I know
> it would be a bit slow, but at times I've got more time then money,
> which is one of the reasons for salvaging pallet wood in the first
> place, and I want as small, and as few, holes in the wood as possible.
> I was thinkng something along the general look of this steering wheel
> lock-plate remover:
> http://www.drivewerks.com/catalog/shopcart/TOOL/POR_TOOL_CAT387_pg13.htm
> It does seem to me that somewhere in the past I've seen a similar tool
> made for pulling nails, as I want to do. Or, maybe it was something
> that could be adapted. I don't recall. Has anyone seen anything along
> these lines, for pulling nails out? If so, will you point me to whoever
> sells them, so I can check one out? Otherwise, I'll have to consider
> making something along those lines.
>
> But, before I reinvented the wheel, I checked google to see what's
> new that other people had come up with. Not much. But, did come up
> with this. http://www.collins-tools.com/nailpuller.htm From the
> description, it would work, owever, it's the seller describing it. But,
> before I buy something like this, I want to know if anyone here has
> actually used one of these, and if so, how well does it do the job?
>
> JOAT
> Don't e-mail me while I'm breathing.
>
John Emmons wrote:
> Next time either cut the slats off with a circular saw where
> they meet the braces and then use a plug cutter to cut the
> nail out. Much simpler. Fewer splinters.
Yuppers. Gloves would've helped, too (-:
I did pull out my trusty little PC panel saw and cut the slats on
one side of my "problem" pallet; and the darned slats kept trying
to bind the saw blade. I thought of it as a worthwhile learning
experience and put the saw away - to try a different approach
with the other side and center.
I was hoping to recover the slats with only small nail holes - so
the plug cutter/hole saw approach didn't even occur to me. Thanks
for the suggestion - I'll keep it in mind for the next time.
As suggested by JohnV, I considered trying to drill out the nail
head - but must have been in "neander mode". Next time I think
I'll give that a try. Hit it with a center punch and follow with
a drill bit about the same size as the nail head.
I probably won't have any more pallets for a while; but I am
interested in Joat's solution(s)...
--
Morris Dovey
DeSoto, Iowa USA
Morris
They do chew up the wood but the alternatives suggested cutting around them
so waste wasn't an issue. Nails used for pallets are a devil to loosen by
conventional means as the are either spiral or epoxy coated or both. As for
saving the bent nails, I never understood the logic either!
"Morris Dovey" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Tom Kohlman wrote:
>
> > There is actually a tool designed to remove nails...sliding
> > cast-iron hammer on a bar thing with claws and pry lever built
> > in. Stick the front claw in under the nail, give the hammer a
> > few whacks to drive in the claws, then engage the lever part
> > and pull back like a crow-bar. My dad had a few (being the
> > good frugal German he was, he would actually recover the nails
> > for later use). After he died they disappeared (my uncle
> > probably grabbed them...money-wise he made dad look like Santa
> > Claus...if you stuck a piece of coal up Uncle Jack's ass you
> > would have a diamond in a few hours). Anyway, it took a long
> > time to find one but I did in some little old hardware store.
> > I use it from time to time for removing decking boards and the
> > like. I don't save the nails.
>
> Tom...
>
> I've used one of those [can't remember when or where )-:] but do
> so little nail pulling that I never bought one of my own. [Come
> to think of it, I hardly ever use nails at all.] Anyway, these
> slide hammer pullers tend to chew up the wood around the nail as
> they're hammered in.
>
> I think I'd rather pop the nail head in a less damaging way, at
> which point the slide hammer device isn't needed anymore, and
> then pull the nail the rest of the way using a claw hammer and
> wood block for padding and leverage.
>
> I did my first woodworking in a place where both wood and
> hardware were difficult to come by - there were no trees to speak
> of and nails took three months to arrive by ship. After I'd
> dismantled one pallet and pretty well disintegrated the other, I
> hunkered down and hammered all the pulled nails straight.
>
> Fairly senseless. Nails are neither scarce nor expensive in Iowa
> /and/ I'm perfectly aware that the straightened nails are about
> ten times as likely to bend. If anyone had stopped in and asked:
> "Why?" I'd only have been able to answer: "The devil made me do it!"
>
> I guess if I ever need a couple of 16d nails (to hang a picture
> or something), then I'll have this neatly tied little bundle of
> spikes on the shelf. :-P
>
> --
> Morris Dovey
> DeSoto, Iowa USA
>
J T wrote:
> I want to pull nails from wood pallets. Yeah, I probably
> already know all the ways you'll suggest already, drilling,
> cutting, pulling apart, etc., etc.
I've pulled a lot of nails (and hammered too many of 'em straight
for re-use) but haven't done much pallet disassembly.
Until a couple of days after your post, I'd had a couple of
unused pallets taking up shop space - so I thought "How hard can
this be?" and decided to do a disassembly.
I found out that it can be bloody difficult; and that it can be a
particularly good method for accumulating splinters. I learned
more than I wanted to know - but by the time the second pallet
was disassembled, I'd made at least one interesting discovery:
A moderately heavy dead-blow hammer is a good friend to have for
starting (un-starting?) a nail. I resisted buying one of these
things for the longest time and now can't imagine why.
Once the nail head had been raised 1/8" - 1/4" the easiest way to
finish the job turned out to be with a claw hammer and a six-inch
long scrap of 2x4 to use as a fulcrum for the hammer head while
pulling.
One of the pallets was built using what looked like cement-coated
16d nails and came apart easily once the glue bond was broken.
The other pallet was built using shorter nails with spiral
ridges. /These/ suckers really did not want to let go. By the
time this pallet was "disassembled" the 1/4" oak slats were all
in splinters. Not only that, but most of the nails were still
buried in the skids. Woulda been great kindling but I fed it (and
the "thorny" skids) to the dumpster.
What I got to keep looks like (5) 2x8x48 and (3) 3x4x48 SYP
boards with nail holes - and lotsa splinters.
I'll be very interested to see what you come up with!
--
Morris Dovey
DeSoto, Iowa USA
Fri, Apr 9, 2004, 11:10am (EDT-1) [email protected] (Morris=A0Dovey)
says:
J T wrote: <snip> I'll be very interested to see what you come up with!
Well, since I posted, I've re-evaluated the whole thing.
Basically, the answer is, it depends.
I'll still be using pallet wood. I'll still be thinking on my
design for a straight-up nail puller (but that is definitely low
priority for not, pending working out a final design problem, access to
my welder from my kids, and coming up with some scrap metal).
So, what I do, depends on what part(s) of the pallet I will be
salvaging.
If I'm only interested in sections of the slats, and none of the
cross-pieces, I will proablly be just cutting the slats, between the
cross members. This seems the fastest, and easiest, way for that.
If I'm interested in full length slats, and no cross-pieces,
several options. Try to just pop the cross pieces off the nails,
without breaking them. Not too reliable, I don't think. Drill the nail
heads, and pull the slats off. Workable. Try pulling the nails, with a
nail puller. This has possibilities, as it would either pull the nail,
break the nail, or pull the head off the nail. All these would allow
the slat to remain in one piece. Minor bummer could be nails holes.
Or, use a plug cutter, to cut around the nail. First gotta get a plug
cutter. This would leave a hole in the wood, but I figure, no prob,
just use a short piece of dowel glued in, adds "character", or whatever
the artsy types are calling it today.
If I just wanted the cross pieces, but none of the slats, I'd
probably just pull the slats loose, if I could, not worrying if they
broke at the nail holes, and/or pop them with a hammer. Then carefully
pull the nails. Drilling with a plug cutter would be an option on nails
that break, and filling with a short piece of dowel.
If I wanted the whole thing, slats, and all, it'd be more time
consuming. Probably use a combination of all of the above.
But, right now all pallet taking apart is on hold. I'm having to
put up some more storage racks for the wood, and for patterns. Have a
bunch of small plywood chunks that have to be turned into plywood
circles (with my new FH hole saws), to avoid tossing them, and for use
in another project(s). Plus vehicle difficulties. My truck has
apparently broken a small part in the steering column, locking it in
park, also not allowing it to start. Apparently this will involve
replacing the entire column (cheapest, easiest, fastest, route). Then
found out last night, one of the so-called reasons my sons haven't
finished putting my Luv together, they need some parts. Ah well. But,
basically life is good.
At least I do have my new planer sled finished, and it should
handle about 10-15 pallet slats at a time. So, once I do get back to
salvaging more, that will be ready to use. So, all in all, basically,
life is good.
JOAT
Don't e-mail me while I'm breathing.
J T wrote:
> Well, since I posted, I've re-evaluated the whole thing.
> Basically, the answer is, it depends.
'S kinda like a lot of the answers I come up with <g>
> I'll still be using pallet wood. I'll still be thinking on my
> design for a straight-up nail puller (but that is definitely
> low priority for not, pending working out a final design
> problem, access to my welder from my kids, and coming up with
> some scrap metal).
Save your old steering column, and any of the parts your kids
have left over...
> So, what I do, depends on what part(s) of the pallet I will be
> salvaging.
>
> If I'm only interested in sections of the slats, and none of
> the cross-pieces, I will proablly be just cutting the slats,
> between the cross members. This seems the fastest, and
> easiest, way for that.
>
> If I'm interested in full length slats, and no cross-pieces,
> several options. Try to just pop the cross pieces off the
> nails, without breaking them. Not too reliable, I don't
> think. Drill the nail heads, and pull the slats off.
> Workable. Try pulling the nails, with a nail puller. This
> has possibilities, as it would either pull the nail, break the
> nail, or pull the head off the nail. All these would allow
> the slat to remain in one piece. Minor bummer could be nails
> holes. Or, use a plug cutter, to cut around the nail. First
> gotta get a plug cutter. This would leave a hole in the wood,
> but I figure, no prob, just use a short piece of dowel glued
> in, adds "character", or whatever the artsy types are calling
> it today.
>
> If I just wanted the cross pieces, but none of the slats, I'd
> probably just pull the slats loose, if I could, not worrying
> if they broke at the nail holes, and/or pop them with a
> hammer. Then carefully pull the nails. Drilling with a plug
> cutter would be an option on nails that break, and filling
> with a short piece of dowel.
>
> If I wanted the whole thing, slats, and all, it'd be more time
> consuming. Probably use a combination of all of the above.
No matter which part we're trying to salvage, it's the nails that
are the essential problem - and actually, the only difficulty is
getting the darned things to stand about 1/8" proud of the slats.
After that, they're easy to pull the rest of the way.
Wonder if we could get Al Reid's former compadres at Princeton's
Plasma Physics Lab to build us an Oeaser (Oersted amplification
by stimulated emission), same as a laser or maser but magnetics
instead of light or microwaves, designed just to loosen nails in
pallets. (^8
Failing that, a rubber-faced deadblow hammer seems to loosen
those nails that are actually willing to be pulled.
> But, right now all pallet taking apart is on hold. I'm having
> to put up some more storage racks for the wood, and for
> patterns. Have a bunch of small plywood chunks that have to
> be turned into plywood circles (with my new FH hole saws), to
> avoid tossing them, and for use in another project(s). Plus
> vehicle difficulties. My truck has apparently broken a small
> part in the steering column, locking it in park, also not
> allowing it to start. Apparently this will involve replacing
> the entire column (cheapest, easiest, fastest, route). Then
> found out last night, one of the so-called reasons my sons
> haven't finished putting my Luv together, they need some
> parts. Ah well. But, basically life is good.
>
> At least I do have my new planer sled finished, and it should
> handle about 10-15 pallet slats at a time. So, once I do get
> back to salvaging more, that will be ready to use. So, all in
> all, basically, life is good.
A truly enviable state! B'sides, it's springtime.
--
Morris Dovey
DeSoto, Iowa USA
Yes, they are still available. Best thing I ever used for pulling nails.
http://tools.aubuchonhardware.com/hand_tools/nail_pullers/nail_puller-302265.asp
"Tom Kohlman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> There is actually a tool designed to remove nails...sliding cast-iron
hammer
> on a bar thing with claws and pry lever built in. Stick the front claw in
> under the nail, give the hammer a few whacks to drive in the claws, then
> engage the lever part and pull back like a crow-bar. My dad had a few
> (being the good frugal German he was, he would actually recover the nails
> for later use). After he died they disappeared (my uncle probably grabbed
> them...money-wise he made dad look like Santa Claus...if you stuck a piece
> of coal up Uncle Jack's ass you would have a diamond in a few hours).
> Anyway, it took a long time to find one but I did in some little old
> hardware store. I use it from time to time for removing decking boards
and
> the like. I don't save the nails.
>
>
>
Sat, Apr 10, 2004, 11:12am (EDT-3) [email protected] (CW) says:
Yes, they are still available. Best thing I ever used for pulling
nails.<snip>
Yep. But, got mine some time back, off of eBay. Somewhere around
$20, including shipping. Probably 50+ years old, and works like new.
One of these days, I'm gonna remember to check the brand.
JOAT
Don't e-mail me while I'm breathing.
J T wrote:
> So, I'll go ahead and design a nail puller.
I grew up on a farm/ranch in South Dakota and got a lot of experience
disassembling buildings and putting them up elsewhere. If I want to save
the wood I can still disassemble pretty much anything without splitting the
wood. I use several hammers, a crowbar, pliers, needle nose pliers, and
sometimes screwdrivers. I pound on pieces of scrap to not put marks on wood
I'm trying to salvage, and it evens out the force.
Oftentimes you can separate the boards a bit, then pound on the wood and
leave the nails sticking up.
For your nail puller, I suggest you design something to just pull it 1/4" or
so out. Then you can use a claw hammer & pull it out. Have several pieces
of scrap handy you can put under the hammer to keep pulling the nail
straight up.
-- Mark
Sun, Apr 4, 2004, 9:31pm (EDT+4) [email protected]
(Mark=A0Jerde) scribes:
I grew up <snip> .
For your nail puller, I suggest you design something to just pull it
1/4" or so out. Then you can use a claw hammer & pull it out. Have
several pieces of scrap handy you can put under the hammer to keep
pulling the nail straight up.
Nah. If I'm just going to pull them, I'll stick with my antiquey
nail puller. I can use a block of wood with it, if need be, and give me
better results. But, in my design (I'm thinking, too time consuming to
use for daily use), I'll have something grip the nail (easy enough to
design, but be tricky making this part), with a screw-type lift for it.
If needed, could always grip down further on the nail, making several
pulls out of it, but time-consuming. It would pull straight up tho.
I kinda doubt I'll make one of these. However, I was checking some
of my "supplies" in the shop, and do have some stuff my dad had made
(metal screw clamps, etc.), and some of that could be adapted.
Something like might could have a use in specialized conditions, but I'm
thinking not for everyday use. Be more of a Rube Goldberg type of
thingy. Fun figuring out how to do it tho. Hmm, maye I could figure
out how to figure in some M-80, water baloons, etc. Definite
possiblities. LMAO
I think I'll just go back to sawing the slats off, when that's all
I want of a pallet. Or, if I want the cross pieces too, or the slats
long, drilling the heads on the nails.
Those two systems seem most practical, at this time.
JOAT
Don't e-mail me while I'm breathing.
"J T" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I want to pull nails from wood pallets. Yeah, I probably already
> know all the ways you'll suggest already, drilling, cutting, pulling
> apart, etc., etc. This is something new for you.
>
> I want to be able to pull pallet nails straight out. A lot of
> them break if I try to pull them out with a hammer, wrecking bar, etc.
> And, yeah, I've got one of the old-fashioned type of nail puller, with
> the sliding hande - see the first paragraph.
>
> But, before I reinvented the wheel, I checked google to see what's
> new that other people had come up with. Not much. But, did come up
> with this. http://www.collins-tools.com/nailpuller.htm
Joat,
Looks to me like a variation on thwe old one with the sliding handle!
--
Nahmie
"Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving
safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside,
thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, 'WOW! What A
Ride!'"
---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.639 / Virus Database: 408 - Release Date: 3/22/2004
I posted this some time back and am still using this method. The drill and
cats paw really works well.
I have seen a lot of posts asking about pallet wood in here and my brother
gave me an excellent tip today for removing the cross members.
To take out the nails drill a hole directly into the the center of the nail
head. Use a bit roughly the size you think the nail is. I just used a 2/16
bit but it will depend size on the nails in your pallet of course. This
causes the head to pop off. The ones that dont are easy to remove with an
old set of tile nippers. Works like a hot damn, as my dad would say. I
just turned the pallet on its side and gently tapped off the cross members.
To remove the remaining nail from the beams I just used a cats paw with a
scrap block underneath. Had an 8' long pallet disassembled in about 45
minutes and all the wood is very useable. Poplar and oak. I am very pleased
to say the least :) Hope this tip helps out some of you.
John V
"J T" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I want to pull nails from wood pallets. Yeah, I probably already
> know all the ways you'll suggest already, drilling, cutting, pulling
> apart, etc., etc. This is something new for you.
>
> I want to be able to pull pallet nails straight out. A lot of
> them break if I try to pull them out with a hammer, wrecking bar, etc.
> And, yeah, I've got one of the old-fashioned type of nail puller, with
> the sliding hande - see the first paragraph.
>
> I'm thinking along the lines of something that will grip a nail
> head, and use a rotating screw, maybe with a wheel for turning, to pull
> the nail straight up, hopefully not breaking it on the way. Yes, I know
> it would be a bit slow, but at times I've got more time then money,
> which is one of the reasons for salvaging pallet wood in the first
> place, and I want as small, and as few, holes in the wood as possible.
> I was thinkng something along the general look of this steering wheel
> lock-plate remover:
> http://www.drivewerks.com/catalog/shopcart/TOOL/POR_TOOL_CAT387_pg13.htm
> It does seem to me that somewhere in the past I've seen a similar tool
> made for pulling nails, as I want to do. Or, maybe it was something
> that could be adapted. I don't recall. Has anyone seen anything along
> these lines, for pulling nails out? If so, will you point me to whoever
> sells them, so I can check one out? Otherwise, I'll have to consider
> making something along those lines.
>
> But, before I reinvented the wheel, I checked google to see what's
> new that other people had come up with. Not much. But, did come up
> with this. http://www.collins-tools.com/nailpuller.htm From the
> description, it would work, owever, it's the seller describing it. But,
> before I buy something like this, I want to know if anyone here has
> actually used one of these, and if so, how well does it do the job?
>
> JOAT
> Don't e-mail me while I'm breathing.
>
When they put the pallets together they are green after they dry trying to
get those nails out is hard, I'd rather pull my teeth out
Searcher1
"Dave Balderstone" <dave@N_O_T_T_H_I_S.balderstone.ca> wrote in message
news:030420042024508163%dave@N_O_T_T_H_I_S.balderstone.ca...
> In article <[email protected]>, J T
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> > But, before I reinvented the wheel, I checked google to see what's
> > new that other people had come up with. Not much. But, did come up
> > with this. http://www.collins-tools.com/nailpuller.htm From the
> > description, it would work, owever, it's the seller describing it. But,
> > before I buy something like this, I want to know if anyone here has
> > actually used one of these, and if so, how well does it do the job?
>
> It's a mini version of the venerable puller a la
>
> <http://www.acehardware.com%2fentry.point%3ftarget%3d13ae0a%26source%3dM
> SN_DF%3a1289738%3aACE>
>
> It ain't gonna work well on the ardox spikes that hold pallets together.
>
> Good luck on your quest. If you find a solution I'd love to hear about
> it. Until then I'll stay with "drilling, cutting, pulling
> apart, etc., etc."
>
> djb
>
> --
> Okay, so this is my new sig line, eh?
There is actually a tool designed to remove nails...sliding cast-iron hammer
on a bar thing with claws and pry lever built in. Stick the front claw in
under the nail, give the hammer a few whacks to drive in the claws, then
engage the lever part and pull back like a crow-bar. My dad had a few
(being the good frugal German he was, he would actually recover the nails
for later use). After he died they disappeared (my uncle probably grabbed
them...money-wise he made dad look like Santa Claus...if you stuck a piece
of coal up Uncle Jack's ass you would have a diamond in a few hours).
Anyway, it took a long time to find one but I did in some little old
hardware store. I use it from time to time for removing decking boards and
the like. I don't save the nails.
"Morris Dovey" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> John Emmons wrote:
>
> > Next time either cut the slats off with a circular saw where
> > they meet the braces and then use a plug cutter to cut the
> > nail out. Much simpler. Fewer splinters.
>
> Yuppers. Gloves would've helped, too (-:
>
> I did pull out my trusty little PC panel saw and cut the slats on
> one side of my "problem" pallet; and the darned slats kept trying
> to bind the saw blade. I thought of it as a worthwhile learning
> experience and put the saw away - to try a different approach
> with the other side and center.
>
> I was hoping to recover the slats with only small nail holes - so
> the plug cutter/hole saw approach didn't even occur to me. Thanks
> for the suggestion - I'll keep it in mind for the next time.
>
> As suggested by JohnV, I considered trying to drill out the nail
> head - but must have been in "neander mode". Next time I think
> I'll give that a try. Hit it with a center punch and follow with
> a drill bit about the same size as the nail head.
>
> I probably won't have any more pallets for a while; but I am
> interested in Joat's solution(s)...
>
> --
> Morris Dovey
> DeSoto, Iowa USA
>
Next time either cut the slats off with a circular saw where they meet the
braces and then use a plug cutter to cut the nail out. Much simpler. Fewer
splinters.
John Emmons
"Morris Dovey" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> J T wrote:
>
> > I want to pull nails from wood pallets. Yeah, I probably
> > already know all the ways you'll suggest already, drilling,
> > cutting, pulling apart, etc., etc.
>
> I've pulled a lot of nails (and hammered too many of 'em straight
> for re-use) but haven't done much pallet disassembly.
>
> Until a couple of days after your post, I'd had a couple of
> unused pallets taking up shop space - so I thought "How hard can
> this be?" and decided to do a disassembly.
>
> I found out that it can be bloody difficult; and that it can be a
> particularly good method for accumulating splinters. I learned
> more than I wanted to know - but by the time the second pallet
> was disassembled, I'd made at least one interesting discovery:
>
> A moderately heavy dead-blow hammer is a good friend to have for
> starting (un-starting?) a nail. I resisted buying one of these
> things for the longest time and now can't imagine why.
>
> Once the nail head had been raised 1/8" - 1/4" the easiest way to
> finish the job turned out to be with a claw hammer and a six-inch
> long scrap of 2x4 to use as a fulcrum for the hammer head while
> pulling.
>
> One of the pallets was built using what looked like cement-coated
> 16d nails and came apart easily once the glue bond was broken.
>
> The other pallet was built using shorter nails with spiral
> ridges. /These/ suckers really did not want to let go. By the
> time this pallet was "disassembled" the 1/4" oak slats were all
> in splinters. Not only that, but most of the nails were still
> buried in the skids. Woulda been great kindling but I fed it (and
> the "thorny" skids) to the dumpster.
>
> What I got to keep looks like (5) 2x8x48 and (3) 3x4x48 SYP
> boards with nail holes - and lotsa splinters.
>
> I'll be very interested to see what you come up with!
>
> --
> Morris Dovey
> DeSoto, Iowa USA
>