MichaelHaney

What are the risks envolved in using used lumber such as oak pallets or even old discarded furniture for small projects and to practice cuts on. I do know they have to be free of fasteners, but I do not know if they will gum up a good bit, or dull or damage a bit. If it is not low risk, what should I look for in a wood that would put the odds in my favor?

Most respectfully

Michael

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bobj3

Hi Michael
I have used oak pallets for toys and some of them are great because of the junk oak they use for pallets. (fire wood down south USA)
But the odds are in favor of the oak or to say they will and offen do take out blades and bits.
Most of the screw nails break off and you can't see them until you hear that nasty click of a planner blade or router bit.
I have used a magnet and a mates metal wand and still got nailed with hard little rocks inside the wood.
Used furniture can be just as bad because the mfg. have a way of hiding fasteners and the glued parts always rip the stock when you try and reuse it.

If you can get by the junk in the wood the gum is no big deal, oak is clean so to speak but junk pine, well that will gum the bits up.

Again they use fresh cut pine lumber for pallets the norm, not dryed the normal way just racked and stacked. (green)

Hope this helps

Bj

reible

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Mike

Ed makes an excellent point about the dangers you can run into with used pallets. I feel that by avoiding stained or dirty pallets the risk is reduced to the point where I would be comfortable using them, for practice use. A metal detector is a must when using any reclaimed wood. Keep in mind that pallets are often made from wood not suited for other purposes. Expect a great deal of movement as this wood dries. This type of wood is ok to get used to your power tools. If you are going to the trouble of building something why not use better materials with the knowledge that the results will be much better?

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Hamlin

Where I work, (shipping an recieving type company), we have pallets coming an going, believe what Ed said. They have all sorts of things spilled on them. We've even encountered many that have been painted, mainly used for food shipping but even those pallets end up being used at other places.
The ones that I look for are: color of the wood, (visible stains, etc.), how many times they've been repaired. As stated above, you don't want to hit an unseen nail or screw. Check for an odd odor, if you smell other than wood, stay clear of it!
I personally look for ones that are fairly new. You work with pallets long enough you can tell the difference. Another note, as Ed stated, pallets tend to sit outside in the weather... I've seen birds attempt to build nests in them within a few days of sitting.

Just to say, there are pro's an con's using pallets for a cheap wood source. Since you mentioned possibly using them for practice cuts, this wouldn't be a problem, provided that you wear atleast a dust respirator. I'd wouldn't use them for anything except an out-door type project... bird house, planter, that type of thing.
Also, as Mike mentioned, use a metal detector to check, double check an recheck again for any unseen metal.

Ken

bobj3

Here's a snapshop of just some of the oak pallets stock I have saved from the fireplace.

It's great for jigs and toys but I do check it b/4 I take the pallet from the stack of junk pallets.
The ones I like best are the ones they ship Hvy.Equipment on (4 x 4 and up) they have less nails in them but some big bolt holes some times.
Plus some other snapshots of the shop.

Bj

Attached Thumbnails

       

Hamlin

Yes, I totally agree with you here. Those bolt holes can be somewhat a pain at times. However, you can also use them to your advantage as well.

I'm currently working with some pallets that have come from Brazil... the pallets have 2 different colors to them. The lighter color ones seem to be a "soft" wood. However that darker wood, pullin a nail out of dat is like pullin hens teeth.
If I can I will try to get a photo of that lumber, maybe someone here will know it. Meanwhile, I'll be doin some web searching.

Ken

bobj3

Ken
Here's a tool I use when I run into one of the nails you can't get out or it snaps off.

tenons cutters & plug cutters
The tenon cutter will cut a 3 " Plug, then I can snap it off and pull it out,it will save my saw blades,planner blades, router bits.

http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/shops.../plgtenon.html

Bj

Glenmore

Hi Michael I intend to use a lot of pallet wood when the time comes. I bought a little wizzard metal detector. It works great found a nail in a 2x6 that was snapped off. I got that piece out of the my parents barn on a freshly stacked pile of lumber. I guess someone used it and didn't get the nail out. So I was luck enough to this before I plane I check all my wood. Because 2 years ago I was planning some black walnut and seen metal on the out feed side and on the board. Thank god it was a lead ball I was sh ing bullets myself when I saw this it is a good investment.

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jerrymayfield

I'm sure "Goonman" could add to this discussion. he has made some nice pieces from pallet wood.

Regards

Jerry