I have access to an unlimited amount of wooden pallets.  There is all
different kinds of alternative house construction such as strawbale,
cordwood, rammed earth, etc... Anyone know of a way to use wooden
pallets (made of all different types of wood) in the construction of a
home? I realize trying to patch together the boards from multiple
pallets to make a traditional "stick framed" house is out of the
question because of the quality of wood, inconsistency, etc... I am
looking for an answer and links to information that a small group of
friends could do themselves (without the use of very expensive
equipment) to build a structurally sound living environment that passes
code. It also needs to be a method that is easy to cover with stucco, 
drywall, anything to give the appearance of a normal or semi-normal home. 
Basically I don't want it to have to look cheap.  I believe you can
make pressboard or something similar but I am unaware if this is
strong enough or even possible without major equipment.  Please help
and thank you for your time!

I'm just a goyle, and not a professional builder, but I've been
interested in, and have participated in, the building of straw bale
structures, yurts and other strange housing.  I know quite a few
people who would enjoy talking with you about this, but I think the
first things they would ask, is: what part of the planet do you live
in?  What's the climate?  Micro-climate?  Do you have the piece of
land where it will go?  Do you have to conform to building codes where
you live?  Do you want to if you don't have to?  (some say homes are
easier to sell if they are up to code)  Specifically in regards to
wall thickness, what would you want?  Are all the pallets exactly the
same dimension?  By 'semi-normal home' do you mean no weird shapes
like octogons, etc?  Many questions attached to you interesting
challenge . . .

ts

Thanks for your input and help!  I live in Ohio and we get a nasty mix
of weather. Snow in the winter, lots of rain in the spring, we see a
good bit of every season.  I have land of my own and I would need it
to pass code.  The pallets are not all the same size, also not all the
same wood.  Actually the the shape of the house is of no real concern
to me, my comment of "semi-normal" house should be disregarded, since
it makes no sense and I don't even know what I mean.  I am very open
to shape of the house, and it doesn't need to be 2 story.  Wall
thickness, I am not very familiar with what would be needed, but
anything that could give me decent insulation.  I am looking for an
answer that would save me a good amount of money (since the pallets
are free) and something I am able to do myself or with a small group. 
Any more questions please ask and I will do my best to answer
everything!

You must have a good frame to start with. Anything less then a well
made frame would be dangerous, the structure could collapse on you.
The pallet wood could be used for roof and wall planking.

Please note, pallets travel from one industry to another, often
becoming contaminated with chemicals toxic to humans. I personally
wouldn't use pallet wood for anything, sorry. People who use them as
firewood are really' risking their health.

Another side note is straw bale, rammed earth ect, are the residence
of choice for all kinds of organisims, from molds to rats. I wouldn't
do that either. It's not healthy.

The cheapest permanent home is a single wide trailer and they are
better than the stygma would suggest. If you're desirous to build your
own house, get an old trailer, tear off the house and rebuild on the
steel uncarriage. It doesn't have the "groovy' factor but it's a good
clean, inexpensive home.