Show Me Your Pallet Projects!

[gtaus]

Congratulations! 35 for us, next May.

Early congratulations to you as well! Hope you have many more happy years together.

 

[gtaus]

The pantry shelves are going under the stairs down to the basement, so even boards that have splits and aren't usable the entire 8 feet will have lots of value.

I have discovered the magic of wood glues. If I have a nice long board, but maybe it has a split in it, I squeeze some glue in the split and use clamps to hold it together. The wood glue is actually stronger than the wood itself, so it's a repair that makes the board better than the original!

 

[gtaus]

Congratulations!

DH and I are about to hit 43 years. My father-in-law said it wouldn't last six months. We proved him wrong.

Thanks for the inspiration. Did your father-in-law ever admit he was wrong? Anyways, congratulations to you as well.

 

[gtaus]

Ok, so, demolition? It's going to become more and more of an eyesore. $20K. We don't have that kind of $$$ sitting around. A neighbor suggested we call the local fire department. They sometimes burn buildings down for the practice of putting them out.

Many years ago, right out of college, I was an EMT for a short period. One night we were on station while the volunteer fire department burned down a trailer home for training. They also burned down old houses for training, but I was not there for that. Good practice for the firefighters and can save the owner lots of money on demoltion.

I do know one local guy who went around and tore down those type of buildings for anything he could salvage. Saved the owner of the cost of the demolition, or at least a good part of it.

Too bad the place got ruined, but it happens.

 

[fuzzi]

Thanks for the inspiration. Did your father-in-law ever admit he was wrong? Anyways, congratulations to you as well.

He didn't mention it again.

And I didn't rub his nose in it.

Thank you!

 

[gtaus]

I might get a pallet shake shingled roof over part of my chicken run yet!

I really like the looks of those pallet shake shingles and siding. Last year I found a good video on how to make pallet shakes really fast. It might be helpful to you...

 

[Sally PB]

Good practice for the firefighters and can save the own lots of money on demoltion.

True, both! Like about 87% less $$ than the demolition. We had to pay for an inspection for asbestos, and then to have the asbestos removed.

When I talked with the fire Chief, I found out there is A LOT!!! of paperwork involved. They have to document the training, explaining what the training will accomplish. Keep in mind,, they have to pay the firemen, use the equipment, and that's taxpayer money. Since we're waaaay out there and there are no hydrants within about 15 miles, this will give the FD "pumper truck" training.

They also get a lot of different experience by setting, say, a small fire in the corner of a room with certain combustibles. What's the best way to put it out? Ok, do it again with something else in another corner. Put a dummy upstairs, and have to rescue it through the smoke.

And then, eventually, the big burn and put it out. The Chief said they'd be done by 2pm. They contact the neighbors (they all know because I told them and they want to watch), as the road will be blocked off with their trucks. It's a dead end road, so we all need to be parked past where they are. Except, we might not be able to walk out to the cars anyway...

They also let 911 know, as they might get a bunch of calls. I asked if they contact the media? No. GOOD!

 

[gtaus]

They have to document the training...

I went to Fire Fighting School for a week when I we had a port of call in Japan. Leaned a lot. Fortunately, never had to put the knowledge to use. Nothing like going to Fire Fighting School to give you a healthy respect for the job firefighters do. It's not a job that I think most people could not do, or would want to do. It was no fun going into a black oil fire blind, even under controlled conditions.

Ranting to come...

My cousin is married to a (former) firefighter for the U.S. Air Force out in California. They were exposed to all kinds of hazardous material fires. Everyone in his company got cancer. They sued the Air Force, but the base sent in big trailer trucks literally at midnight and shipped out all the barrels of toxic waste before they were confiscated. My cousin's husband is the last survivor of all those men. He is wheelchair bound for life and cannot care for himself. He loved his job, but those toxic materials fires essentially killed him and did kill all his friends. No big settlement rewards either. My cousin works low paying jobs to pay the bills for his care. Truely a sad situation. A life full of pain of suffering for both of them until he dies.

Sorry for the sad story, but talking about firefighters triggers some resentment for me on the subject knowing what my cousin's family has been through.

On a positive note, I have lots of respect for firefighters who put their lives on the line to help others.

 

[Sally PB]

I'm so sorry to hear about your cousin's husband. That is a tragedy, and so VERY WRONG in so many ways.

All first responders (police, fire, EMTs, any emergency personnel) get my utmost respect.

 

[Nomadicus]

My wife and I are approaching #59. She might get a pallet project for that in the way of a porch planter. I'm looking for pallets now. I think I can also build some nest boxes out of pallet wood.