Pallet Buster – A Must Have Tool For Those Who Love To Repurpose
Repurposing old pallets is a wonderful idea, especially if you’re into home improvement or DIY projects. However, we don’t always need to use pallets just the way they are, and tearing them apart can be troublesome if you don’t have the right tool.
And it is that precise tool that will be our topic of discussion of the day. Without further ado, let’s look at what pallet busters can do, how you can use them, and what are some of the products that are well worth the money.
Tips for Using Old Pallets
If you’ve been into crafts and home improvement projects for a while, you can probably make use out of anything because repurposing is one of the many amazing things that you learn when you have such hobbies. When it comes to pallets, there is literally a world of possibilities in terms of how you can put them to good use once again:
- You can make really cool pallet crates that can be used for storing fruits and vegetables in a unique way. These crates can also be gifted. Just imagine making a beautiful wooden crate and filling it with pastry items and bottles of wine.
- It’s quite easy to make nice vintage furniture cabinets out of old pallets. If you’re looking for cheap rustic furniture, especially for an outdoor or balcony setup, it’s pretty easy to turn those old wooden planks into rustic storage cabinets.
- It is not uncommon for people to use pallets to make outdoor seating or coffee tables.
- You can create storage shelves for your garage or shed by taking pallets apart or simply turning them around and mounting them to a wall.
- They can also be used as prop for games, such as corn toss.
- Pallets can also be used to make flower containers. Store them on top of each other and you have the premises for a vertical garden.
- When you think about it, you can probably make just about any type of wooden furniture after busting old pallets. There are plenty of online tutorials that will teach you how.
FAQ
How does a pallet buster work?
A pallet buster is a very simple to use the tool. You simply place it at the end of one of the planks on the pallet and slowly lift it up using a little bit of elbow grease. The buster should pull up the blanket and the nails from the base. Once you’re done with one end, it’s recommended that you take care of the other end and kind of work your way to the middle of the plank.
What is the easiest way to strip pallets?
There are actually plenty of ways to strip pallets, including a method that doesn’t require any special tools. However, taking apart a pallet without tools is quite a challenge, so let’s look at some of the other methods. One could argue that the easiest way is by using a hammer. You would have to hit the chocks to start dismantling the base and then remove the top planks. Some people like to use a brick chisel together with a hammer. However, the pallet buster is still the easiest way to take pallets apart.
How do you disassemble a pallet without a Sawzall?
Sawzall is a term used to describe a reciprocating saw. In fact, it is the trademark name that the Milwaukee Electric Tool Company gave to its reciprocating saw, which people started using to describe all similar tools. If you don’t have a Sawzall, you can disassemble a pallet using either a pallet buster or prying the nails from it using a hammer.
Project Ideas for Pallet Buster Use
Old pallets have long been repurposed to create seating pieces and coffee tables, but you can never have enough ideas when it comes to how to make them.
Storage
In this example, you can see how old pallets were repurposed to create tables using hairpin legs. Some of the other items needed for this project include a hammer, a saw, paint brush, clear varnish, and a drill.
Another project idea implies creating your own craft paper storage shelf. When turned to the side, pallets are quite narrow and can easily find their way into a small corner where you need all the storage space you can get.
Planters
The best part about this project is that it’s very simple, since there are only a few modifications to make to the original pallet. Aside from the pallet, you’re going to need a spare piece of wood, some tape measure, saw, paint, nails, a hammer, and some decorative stickers if you want to adorn your new storage space.
Making a pallet planter is easier than you can imagine. It can be used for indoor and outdoor purposes and it offers a cost-effective way to showcase your plants and have a planter that can be painted in the color of your choice.
Unlike some of the other projects, making a pallet planter requires more tools, such as a saw to cut the pieces to size and a nail gun that helps you put the wooden pieces together to create the frame.
Outdoor Furniture
As we mentioned earlier, it’s super easy to use old pallets to make cool outdoor furniture, so here is a project that teaches you just how to do it.
For this particular project, you are going to use a Sawzall or a pallet buster to remove the planks off the pallet’s base. Some of the other tools and items that are needed for this project include an automatic drill, a marker for tracing spots where cuts need to be made, a table saw, a router or a sanding tool, and paint in the colors of your choice.
Wine lovers
For wine lovers and DIY enthusiasts, we have another project suggestion that’s bound to make you happy. By repurposing old pallets, you can make your own wine racks and have them installed in the kitchen, basement, or wherever you want to showcase your wine collection.
The tutorial also teaches you how to make wine glass holders so that you can have everything in place whenever you’re ready for a glass of Sauvignon Blanc.
Top Pallet Busters
With the ideas that you’ve now gathered on how to make pallets work in your favor, it’s time to look at some of the best tools for taking pallets apart so that you can start working on whatever amazing ideas your mind put together.
1. Vestil SKB-DLX Deluxe Steel Pallet Buster with Handle
If you’re looking for a good pallet buster tool, here is one that’s bound to serve its purpose. It can disassemble a pallet within minutes and it’s designed with an articulated head that prevents the wooden planks from splitting or breaking. It measures 7.13 x 6.5 x 45.13 inches and weighs around 12 pounds. As one of the best-selling products in its category, this pallet buster is available in multipack options, so you can purchase one, two, or three pallet busters at a good price.
2. BISupply Pallet Buster Tool in Yellow with 41in Long Handle
Here is yet another pallet buster that will surely get the job done once you’re ready to invest in it. It works efficiently with boards up to 3.6 inches wide. It has leveling-type heads that sport a rocker design which can easily get between planks to pry them apart. The long handle comes with a rubber end so that you can get a tight grip each time you use it. It’s made from solid steel and features a powder-coated finish so that the buster can resist corrosion and have a longer lifespan overall.
3. Pallet Buster Deluxe with Nail Removal
Let’s assume that you want a little bit more out of your pallet buster and you come across a tool like this one from Molomax, wondering why you would choose this over some of the other options at your disposal. This is a tool that comes with a 3-piece handle that you can take apart and store in a more compact space. The tool is put together using a set of locking pins that won’t fall out (a problem that might be encountered in products that use screws).
4. Pallet Buster Deck Wrecker Tool
Stoic Tools makes a mean pallet buster, designed to help you with all DIY projects that involve taking old pallets and giving them a new purpose. It’s a heavy duty tool designed to eliminate the need for using a hammer to pry wooden boards. As a bonus, you will also receive a pair of gloves that are made with cowhide leather and have a heavy-duty double layer palm to keep your hands protected whether you’re using this pallet buster or some other tool that requires elbow grease.
5. BISupply Pallet Puller Clamp
While this is not a pallet buster per se, it is a tool that can help you with large pallet-related projects because it helps drag them across the floor with ease. It can pull up to 6,000 pounds of cargo thanks to its 6-inch jaw opening and sturdy design. It has a scissor-like design with a wide jaw opening so that you can have a firm grip on the pallets that you’re looking to move. If you work with pallets a lot, this tool is a must-have in your arsenal.
6. BestEquip 3T Pallet Puller
We wanted to show you another cool pallet puller that gets the job one and is available in a fiery red color. It’s made from solid steel and has a powder-coat finish for extra durability. The jaws can open to a width of 6.3 inches and can pull up to 6,600 pounds in weight. It is fixed with four anti-skid nuts that are easily adjustable to make the tool easier to use, depending on what you need it for. There is an 8-inch chain attached to it, so you can rest assured that this baby is up for even more challenging tasks.
Bottom Line
Whenever you see a pallet thrown away behind a convenience store, think of all the clever ways in which you can repurpose it. You are only limited by your imagination, since there are so many things one could do when given such a versatile material as wood. And, if you want your projects to run smoother, consider investing in a pallet buster. It’s a handy tool that can help you dismantle a pallet in minutes.