Beginner's Guide to Pallets

Image by Hands off my tags! Michael Gaida from Pixabay

Pallets are everywhere! While pallets are a necessary tool in both domestic and international commerce, they tend to be often replaced and given away, often for practically nothing! Besides this, pallets are great for DIY projects. Since pallets are so easy to get, they are great for reusing or upcycling. This instructable will cover some of the different types of pallets, what you will get from them, and how to take them apart.

For more great ideas on how to use pallets, check out these instructables:

• Elegant Pallet Shoebench
• Diy Workbench From Scraps and Pallets
• Elegant Pallet Box
• Easy Pallet Phone Holder
• Easy Storage Carpet Ball Table (coming soon!)

Also, please leave a comment below!

Supplies:

• Pallets

Tools:

• Hammer
• Prybar
• Hackzall (optional)
• Extra long blade for hackzall (optional)

First image by claudio losa from Pixabay

Finding pallets is quite easy. Once you start looking for them, they seem to be all over the place. From time to time, you may even come across pallets from residential homes just waiting to be taken. I f you want several pallets, or you need more of a variety, many businesses have dozens or even scores of pallets laying around. Often, the manager is more than happy to give them away. Another way to collect pallets is to check popular marketing sites like facebook or ebay. It is very common to have several pallets listed for a very low price. Also, it wouldn't hurt to ask friends and acquaintances if they know of any pallets that might be worth looking at.

Image by Alexander Fox | PlaNet Fox from Pixabay

While pallets are awesome, if they have been used for international transport, they were treated to prevent insects and other things from travelling in the wood. The type of the treatment used determines whether the pallet is safe for reuse and/or burning. Usually, for North America, if the pallet is unpainted/unoiled and unbranded, then the pallet is safe for use. This is because unbranded pallets are for use only domestically. If a pallet is branded, that means it has either been approved for use internationally, or it has been used internationally. If branded with MB, do not use. MB is a chemical treatment. If branded HT, it is perfectly fine to use. HT is a heat treatment. If branded, but no IPPC logo is seen, the pallet is not recommended for reuse. In the picture above, the brand on the right contains a symbol that looks like a piece of wheat. The piece of wheat is the IPPC logo. If you see a brand including EPAL it is safe four use. EPAL is a european pallet that has passed the requirements for international transport. EUR is an older version of EPAL.

First image by Dylan Hunter on Unsplash

The two stringer pallets in the pictures above are the type of pallets I generally use.

There are two main types of pallets: Block pallets and Stringer Pallets. Other types of pallets include: solid-deck and double wing.

Block pallets may be the most common type of pallet. Block pallets generally have between four and twelve supports or "blocks" in between the first deck and the second deck.

Stringer pallets have a piece of wood, about the size of a 2x4 running the length of the pallet. This piece of wood is called a stringer. Stringer pallets generally have three stringers.

I primarily work with high-strength stringer pallets, as they are more common for me.

I usually get four 48 inch 2x4s, three slats that are five inches wide and 3/4 of an inch thick by thirty-eight inches long, and eight slats that are 2 1/2 inches wide by 3/4 of an inch thick by thirty-eight inches long from high-strength stringer pallets (my most common size).

While it is possible (and even common) to take apart a pallet using a prybar and a hammer, I find that it is much more efficient to simply cut the nails holding the pallet together with a hackzall. To do this, I turn the pallet so that the stringers are running up and down, and begin cutting from the top to the bottom of the pallet. If I come to a plank that is too closely fastened for me to be able to fit my blade in with ease, I take my prybar and hammer and wedge the plank out one or two eights of an inch. I then continue cutting. I try to only cut the nails and do as little damage to the wood as possible. Once all the nails on one side of the pallet have been cut, I move to the other side. I cut the middle last. Remember, It is most difficult to do this if your blade is shorter than eight inches. Longer is much better in this case. If you don't have an extra long blade, you can still use it to cut the most of either side. Also, I find that it is easier to use a metal rated blade, because the nails do lots of damage. It generally takes me about twenty minutes to fully deconstruct a pallet.

If you have any additional information on this subject (in the weather/insect treatment of pallets or international codes) or if some of my information is faulty, please leave a comment below. Additionally, check the comments for more information.

Don't forget to leave a comment!)