I love pallet projects, but I don’t like to dismantle pallets. I’ve only done it a few times, but with a bad shoulder, the best way to dismantle pallets is with a reciprocating saw. Even that method hurts my shoulder with the vibration of the saw.
Maybe you don’t have a reciprocating saw, or you don’t like power tools. If that’s the case, I have the best way to dismantle pallets!
Not only does this work on pallets, but it also works on fence sections. That’s a win/win for me since I do a lot of reclaimed fence projects.
Easily Dismantle Pallets
Free Pallets
I came across these pallets last year. Had I known about this method of dismantling pallets I would have scooped up as many of these pallets as possible.
*This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission.*
Let’s get right to the video of me dismantling pallets, shall we?
Of course I have sped up the video, but it only took me four minutes to dismantle this pallet. This was soooo easy! The Duckbill Deck Wrecker does all the work. It’s all about leverage. Now, you might think this is a newfangled tool. But, while at dinner with cousin Terry over the weekend, she told me that her dad tried to get her to get a patent on a tool like this. Neither of them understood the process, so it never happened. We’re talking about pre-google days.
Remember, I have a bad shoulder, and this was no problem at all.
This is the Duckbill Deck Wrecker! It works fabulously on pallets AND fence sections.
Order a Duckbill Deck Wrecker for your pallet projects (great for fence and deck sections too) below with my Amazon Affiliate Link-I make a small commission, but it doesn’t cost you any extray money.
This is a picture of when I used the Deck Wrecker to take apart a pallet for my Pallet Coffee Cup Rack
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How to take pallets apart
This is the pile of boards I collected from taking this pallet apart. This was a very strange pallet. It’s as though it had been repurposed or refurbished at some point. There were old boards attached that had nails in them that had previously been cut off.
This method of dismantling pallets leaves the nails in tact, so that has to be dealt with.
I tapped the nails through the boards with my hammer. Because the nails were very long, I used a scrap piece of wood to get good leverage while removing the pallet wood nails. Removing the nails was a little extra work, but since the demolition went so quickly I didn’t mind it at all.
I use an old kitty litter jug to collect my old screws and nails.
So, now I have all these great boards to use for pallet wood projects in the future.
I have asked some of my best friends to share their best pallet projects with you. They are very clever, and have their own unique way of dealing with the removal of pallet boards. I sure hope you find something to inspire you!!
Pin This For Later!
In EPISODE #22 of my podcast, DIY with MRL, I talk about pallets, pallets and pallets.
Outdoor Pallet Projects
EASY portable bar great for weddings, parties, backyard events, tailgating, and even Lemonade stand for the kiddos.
Pallet Potting Table Refresh Restyle
Garden Bench | Pallet Love Seat
Pretty Glazed Pallet Top Table, Coffee Bar, Outdoor Table
Built by Kids shows us How fun it is to be a kid in this Pallet Playhouse
Disguise an outdoor eyesore such as a gas meter with a faux garden gate
Oh my gosh, you seriously won’t believe what this pallet flower box looks like after the flowers filled in. Great job Amy from Her Tool Belt!
We have two projects from Infarrantly Creative—first up is this adorable snow cone stand made from pallets.
Pallet Projects to Inspire You
Pallets can have some chemicals in them, so if you’re unsure, you should check out this post from Donna at Funky Junk Interiors.
Pallet Home Decor Ideas
Easy pallet and scrap wood frames from our final MRL contributor—My Love 2 Create
These pallet signs can be found over at the DIY Village, a tutorial from One Project Closer.
I love this little flower crate made out of pallet boards from Follow Your Heart Woodworking
Pallet Wall Ideas
Unique pallet wall with ledges from Pretty Handy Girl.
Addicted 2 DIY shares her secret for putting up a pallet wall without breaking apart any pallets!
Pallet Organization Projects
Check out this pallet mobile wood storage from Fix This Build That.
Repurposed Pallet Coffee Cup Rack
This pallet wood wall rack with storage is an easy fix to an age old problem—from another one of MRL contributors, Angie from Knick of Time.
Holiday Pallet Projects
This wood slice deer head pallet project really dresses up the mantel for Kim from The Kim Six Fix
Here’s another beautiful pallet project for your mantel from Kim.
Small pallet scraps were used to make this Christmas ornament from Patina Paradise.
Here’s another project from Joan, a great pallet wood Christmas Tree.
How to Make a Christmas Stocking Shelf out of Pallet Wood Create And Babble
Pallet Furniture Ideas
This pallet coffee table tutorial is perfectly easy to follow by Repurpose Life Blog
Beckie also made this farmhouse pallet bed with rolling trundle for her son.
Mindi also made this oh so cute DIY upholstered pallet bench
Have you done a pallet project? Do you have a secret way to dismantle pallets? Do tell us all about it in a comment below.
robert labradore says
December 27, 2018 at 5:35 amyour just a advertisement for a tool . so if you don’t have this tool your screwed .
Gail Wilson says
December 30, 2018 at 10:40 pmIf you really read the article you will see that there are lots of tips from bloggers that don’t have the tool. The tool is definitely worth the cost, especially for a 61 year old woman who can no longer dismantle pallets the hard way. 🙂
gail
crochet says
October 11, 2016 at 4:57 pmHi there I am so thrilled I found your blog page, I really found you
by mistake, while I was researching on Aol for something else, Nonetheless I am here now
and would just like to say kudos for a remarkable post and a all round entertaining blog (I
also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to reead through it all at
the moment but I have bookmarked it annd also added your RSS feeds,
so when I have time I will be back to read a lot more, Please do keep up the food work.
Connie Petherbridge says
October 9, 2016 at 6:20 pmHi: Can the Deck Wrecker only be per-chested from Amazon?
Gail Wilson says
October 9, 2016 at 8:22 pmI’m sorry, I don’t know the answer to that question Connie. I’ve never seen it anywhere else.
gail
Momsgoneridin says
February 20, 2017 at 12:07 pmHi, i purchased a “deck wrecker” bar from Home Depot. It was called a “Wrecking Claw ( trademark)” Angel-GUARD Products, thru the mail, it was under $50. And shipped for free right to my house. It works great and has a split claw at the end of each pry bar called a catspaw.
Laurie Kearnes says
September 16, 2016 at 5:02 pmoops – can’t find the affilate link in this post – or the shop now button. Can you tell me where it is. I know-duh! But thanks!
Gail Wilson says
September 18, 2016 at 5:32 pmI’m guessing you’re on mobile. The words DUCKBILL DECK WRECKER right under the video are linked to Amazon.
I hope you can find it.
gail
Laurie Kearnes says
September 16, 2016 at 4:59 pmOk – it’s on my list! Thanks!
Nat says
May 13, 2016 at 2:26 pmThank you for the recommendation for the Deck Wrecker. I’m going out to get one soon!
gail@myrepurposedlife.com says
May 13, 2016 at 3:37 pmI truly think you will love the duckbill deck wrecker whether you’re using it for decks, fences or pallets! 🙂
gail
Rhonda says
March 4, 2016 at 2:07 pmAwesome projects
Marie, The Interior Frugalista says
January 14, 2016 at 9:54 amI just popped over from your DIY Pallet Board Tray post for the Power Tool Challenge where I said I took apart a pallet once and vowed never to do it again. I need me a Deck Wrecker!!!
gail@myrepurposedlife.com says
January 14, 2016 at 10:25 amyes! everyone needs a deck wrecker! It is so incredibly easy to dismantle pallets this way. 🙂
Amy says
December 12, 2015 at 10:52 amI need to get one of those tools, you make it look so easy! Thanks for including my cascading planter box.
Katie @ Addicted 2 DIY says
December 11, 2015 at 9:42 amThanks so much for including my pallet wall, Gail! I love this roundup! There’s so many great ideas. I need to check out that Deck Wrecker! I have a stack of pallets at my house just waiting to be broken down.
Patricia says
December 9, 2015 at 10:43 pma great collection of pallet projects! that bed with trundle looks like a challenge…. but many of them look do-able!
I especially like the rack with storage… from Knick of time.
Julie @ follow your heart woodworking says
December 9, 2015 at 6:37 pmI use a lot of pallets but have never seen that tool before. Thanks for sharing and for including my flower crate with all those great pallet projects!
Debbie @ Refresh Restyle says
December 9, 2015 at 4:40 pmGreat tips and projects! pinned it for later when I can work on a pallet!
Debbie
Mindi says
December 9, 2015 at 2:09 pmThis is awesome, why do I not have one of those tools?!! Great video Gail and so many inspiring pallet projects, thanks for including mine!! Pinned!
Joan says
December 9, 2015 at 8:38 amAs many pallets as I’ve dismantled, you would think I would have one of those tools. Maybe I need to put it on my Christmas list. I usually take a circular saw and just saw down the side rails and then I’m only left with the middle. So glad to see you become a pallet convert. 🙂