Pallet wood - anyone use it?

Rodney said:

I've used pallet wood but be warned. Even a relatively clean looking pallet will have dirt and grit embedded in it and will dull your tools quickly. You also have the nail holes to deal with. Clean sections without nail holes can get small quickly. These days I might grab a pallet for rough work or firewood but mostly I don't mess with them anymore. The cost of sharpening my saw blades can quickly exceed the cost of clean wood.

Oak is easy to spot but mostly you have to be familiar with the various species of wood to know what you have. Sometimes you can get lucky and get some tropical hardwoods in pallets or shipping crates but not often around here.

Rodney

Click to expand...

Rodney said:

I don't know how your area in England is. Around here there are enough hardwoods growing that I can find suitable material for handles without touching a pallet. I keep my eyes open for downed wood from storms, people pruning trees, brush clearing along roads, stuff like that to get wood.

Look for tree trimming services and people selling firewood or turning stock as sources for interesting wood. Check online ads for people getting rid of wood. We have Craig's List and Freecycle here in my area that offers free online advertising. Facebook also has a local buy and sell section here. Britain most likely has something similar.

Rodney

Click to expand...