Wow. And that's pretty close to where I work? Me and you HAVE to hook up man. We could make short work together. Even if I just cut for you? I don't really need any extra. Or the other side, we buy a log load, and cut it at my house? It cost money ($500), but you get a lot of wood. And with a partner, we could make it disappear quick (6-8 cord for $500). So for $250 you get 3-4 cord. Log loads are what I have done the last 2 years. Take logs and turn them into masterpieces.
I've tried to pull apart pallets and just can't get the nails to pull free before the wood breaks. Is there a trick I don't know about?
Looks like you don't take home the slats? Pop 'em off and cut the stringers for firewood? Cutting cordwood is much more productive as far as BTU's earned vs. time spent but tough to turn down those pallets! Easy to handle (much lighter/easier on the back), pre-seasoned, and FREE!
My dad get's a load of the same size/type of skids every once in a while from a friend of his. Some we repurpose but many just get cut up and we both mix em in with our splits. Most of the stringers are oak but some are poplar. Nice work rookie!
Im not going to argue that point but will just say I dont cut "regular" pallets.The skids I cut are made with 4x4 or similar sizable wood. I feel that the return is worth it.
I've never burned pallets, but that looks like fun. It seems like stove loading would be like using really large Legos as fuel. I could pack one hell of a tight firebox with those things.
Nice set-up rookie1! Wondering if you pick out the nails or just burn the pieces straight up and deal w/the nails afterwards?
nothing wrong with using pallet wood.......just be careful to not overfire the stove! Also, are you burning the nails in the wood? The reason I ask is that if you have a catalytic stove, sometimes the coating on some nails and screws (cadmium and zinc) is hard on the CAT........
One winter that's all I had to burn, skids. This was eons ago when NG was big bucks. I tried all manner of disassembly but ended up just using an electric chain saw and/or a sawzall to cut the deckboards at the runners. No board or nail pulling. I burned all the pieces. It was the quickest way to fill up the back and front passenger side seat of my K-car station wagon. I NEVER got more than a week ahead for a supply on the deck. More nails than ashes at the end of the week though, LOL.
Thanks for the reply. I burn with the nails in the wood. I shovel out the ash into a coal hod then put in the trash. Im not into using ash for garden or yard so nails dont matter on that end. Also I have an older Sierra so no cat. I do have to watch when loading,I have got it plenty hot before.
I recently scored a 2300 pound skid of 3"x4"x3' oak cribbing from an aluminum extrusion plant. No slats/not pallets, no nails. My chore for the day is to cut them in half and stacked in the wood shed, they are supposed to be "kiln" dried.. I guess the plant gives them away and will even load 'em for you. My buddy gave me the whole skid and told me to try 'em out!!
I like the idea that the pallets for the most part are 'ready to burn', just not a fan of the labor involved with the slats and nails. There are so many places around where I live that actually advertise either on CL or by the street with signage to get rid of pallets, people take them.
I dont really burn the standard "pallets". I cut up the skids that heavy steel comes on. Most pieces are 3 1/2x2 1/2 and I throw the thin slats away. You are right about the labor,thats why I dont mess with pallets.