Planter from pallets, no nail pull method

Step 8: Add all slats

Just go right down the line and add the slats to the support wood. I personally used screws along with a squirt of wood glue. The wood glue helps because these cheap pallet boards love to crack, so if it does crack the glue will help old it in places.

Comments

[pfiddle]

Hi guys - I'm SO impressed that you Americans are using screws. In the construction trade in Europe we used to make fun of Americans and called nails "American screws". Well done. Really. Pfiddle

[static]

"American screw", that's funny. But I can't understand the implied bias against nails though. Nails are a time honored fastener. In their proper application they do the job at hand well with out the over kill that the use of screws is becoming here in America. My guess is that cut wire nails can be manufactured with less energy and material input than screws. Perhaps screws are for those who can't hit a nail squarely? ;)

[DIY-Guy]

Here in the united states of America, lots of pallets I see have these wire-fed nailgun style twisted (screw like) nails in them. Has Europe started using this incredibly fast and strong method of connecting pallet slats yet? They are nearly impossible to pry out of dry wood.

I've had good results wtih cutting the nails flush with a flexible metal cutting blade in my demolition saw (also called a Sawz-all in some places). For people in the united states, these can be found on sale for $19.99 instead of the usual $40 or $60 USD at Harbor Freight Tools. The motors eventually burn out, but so do the motors on the $160 "professional" brands! For throw away tools once they're worn out, I prefer http://www.harborfreightusa.com very cheap tools from China. But I'd never buy a cheapo table saw! A well built table saw (mine's made in USA) will last for decades with simple maintenance.

[pfiddle]

How right you are. Yes in Europe (and here in Ireland) we get these "wire-nails" clever but a bugger to undo. I saw off the ends - I think it's too dangerous to cut through 'em - and burn the ends in my stove - good kindeling.When the ash is collected I drop a magnet on a string through on a string and collect the metal for recycling. Some of the "nails" can be reused but only in pre-bored holes and I tend to use them to keep up wire and such. Hammer in a bit and as the "nail" bends trist and use to support cable, plants, bird house etc. I agree about buying cheapo tools. We tend to live in a throw-away society and that's not a good-earth policy. Cheapo tends to be dangerous to operator AND watcher-on as many get hurt by flying debri!! Peter

[fthrjack]

It might take much more time, but to reduce the chance of boards cracking on you, drill a pilot hole for each screw, just use a small drill bit than the diameter of your screw. Not only will it make tightening the screws up less likely to crack the wood, but it makes it easier and neater :)