Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 15 of 26

Thread: Any use for pallet wood?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    New Jersey
    Posts
    1,347
    Blog Entries
    1

    Question Any use for pallet wood?

    I drove by a facility today that had a sign outside saying "free pallets". Anyone ever use any pallet wood?
    Thanks
    Dennis

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Dickinson, Texas
    Posts
    7,655
    Blog Entries
    1
    It's good wood for some things that don't require new s4s wood. I would pick up 3 or 4 and take them apart and throw away the bad stuff and nails.
    I've used pallets before.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Burlington, Washington
    Posts
    72
    I've also used pallet wood in the past. They do take some work to take apart and you'll need to work around the nail holes, but you can sometimes find some exotic woods.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2016
    Posts
    1,561
    Blog Entries
    1
    Much of the are Oak. A relative of my son-in-law planes them down and makes doll houses/furiture.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    New Jersey
    Posts
    1,347
    Blog Entries
    1
    Thanks for the information. I make a lot of toys, maybe I'll be able to use them.
    Dennis

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    NW Indiana
    Posts
    3,078
    I would only use them if I knew exactly the history and what was on them or how they were treated.

    Personally, I would never use them for toys.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    So Cal
    Posts
    3,737
    Pallets are good for moving heavy stuff with a fork lift. Pallets are very low grade poorly dried wood that's sometimes treated with insecticide. The worst part is all the dirt and rocks that they collect.
    Aj

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    SE PA - Central Bucks County
    Posts
    65,685
    They can be a good source for craft wood as long as you are willing to deal with the nails, dirt, etc., that is part of the package. Some folks have found pallets that originated in other parts of the world to sometimes be made of what "we" consider exotics. What you want to use the wood for is of consideration...size comes into play as does whether or not nail holes will work or not. Some folks use them as inexpensive wood to make and sell rustic signs, for example, and the end result is pretty nice.
    --

    The most expensive tool is the one you buy "cheaply" and often...

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Location
    Silicon Valley, CA
    Posts
    1,048
    Quote Originally Posted by dennis thompson View Post
    ... Anyone ever use any pallet wood? ...
    Bob Taylor is another guy who has: Pallet Guitar

    I guess it depends on how motivated you are! (Make a bet recently?)

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    New Westminster BC
    Posts
    2,981
    Pallets and other shipping wood for international shipments must be treated to avoid importing insects. They can be treated either chemically or heat treated. Look for the letters HT on the wood to indicate it has been heat treated, then it should be safe for use.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Location
    Jacksonville, FL
    Posts
    859
    Quote Originally Posted by Doug Garson View Post
    Pallets and other shipping wood for international shipments must be treated to avoid importing insects. They can be treated either chemically or heat treated. Look for the letters HT on the wood to indicate it has been heat treated, then it should be safe for use.
    Good first step. But I would also be concerned with what was transported on them. Leaking chemicals transported on a pallet would make the wood bad for toys and some other usages. Make sure they are not used for anything toxic. But there in lies the problem; you never know their full history. About all you can do is eyeball them.
    Marshall
    ---------------------------
    A Stickley fan boy.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    New Jersey
    Posts
    1,347
    Blog Entries
    1
    Quote Originally Posted by Marshall Harrison View Post
    Good first step. But I would also be concerned with what was transported on them. Leaking chemicals transported on a pallet would make the wood bad for toys and some other usages. Make sure they are not used for anything toxic. But there in lies the problem; you never know their full history. About all you can do is eyeball them.
    Marshall
    Good information, I guess I'll pass on them
    Thanks
    Dennis

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Lewiston, Idaho
    Posts
    28,504
    I've seen some photos of small furniture made of wood from pallets. They were end tables and coffee tables. With a little creativity, they were pretty.
    Ken

    So much to learn, so little time.....

  14. #14
    One good thing you can depend on: you know it has not been judged "unpalatable ".

  15. #15
    The potential for creating dust even more hazardous than usual when cutting or machining pallet wood is enough of a deterrent for me. But even if you're pretty sure the wood is safe, just getting them apart with minimal destruction is a real hassle if the nails have rusted even a little.

    As many laws about hazardous waste as there are, it's surprising that there isn't a law about marking any chemically treated pallets as they're created with clear indicators.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •