All about Wood Pallet Lumber

If you’re someone who likes wood pelting, you may wonder how they’re made. It’s actually far more complicated than just grabbing a few scraps and throwing them together. It starts with what’s called pallet lumber, which plays a role in how the items all come together. 

How they’re Made 

They’re made from various types of wood and use different types of wood. There are two different types of wood that can be used, hardwood and softwood.  Hardwood is from angiosperm trees, which are those trees that produce flowers and fruit.  This is the deciduous trees you see that lose their leaves during the fall. Some evergreens also fall into this category. 

The largest difference between hardwood and softwood is the presence of the pores that are there. Hardwood is much more complex, and their pores tend to be a lot smaller, hence why they cost more. Softwood comes from gymnosperms, which are those that make fruit and flowers, and usually comes with seeds. 

They don’t have pores, but instead something called resin canals.  Conifers are the most common type. While hardwood is stronger, they are both very hardy items, and some like balsa trees which are hardwood, tend to be weaker than softwood. 

So when choosing pallet lumber, they combine both of these, since a lot of times, it works best. It’s also why, if you ask someone what type of lumber they’re using in their pallets, they may not give you a straight answer. It’s because they may not even know! 

Types of Hardwoods Utilized in Pallets 

Oak is the first type, and usually is used because it’s available a lot more than other types, so it’s perfect. It also is ideal for heavy and fragile items. 

Popular is the other one.  Popular is utilized in a lot of lumbar that’s construction grade.  Cabinets, trim work, even hardwood toys are made from this.  It is also very easy to work with, since it functions like a softwood, despite being a hardwood, so it’s one of the best for that alone. 

Softwood Types 

Softwood types vary, but the most popular is one called the southern yellow pine. 

These are trees that grow in the mid-Atlantic and the southern parts of the US. 

They’re a type of pine that includes: 

• Shortleaf and longleaf pines 

• Slash pine 

• Loblolly pines 

Along with pallets, it’s used in construction of roller coasters made of wood, since they have the highest dentistry value, which is about 50 to 55 pounds for each cubic foot. 

It’s also very easy to dry and is also workable for shipping anything from food to pharmaceutical products. 

Fir trees are another one that’s used a lot.  They’re used in a lot of instances to make plywood, and are utilized in drywall inside, or framing. It also prevents insects and is not susceptible to decay. 

It does only last about 12 months outside, especially in outdoor places, which is why you’ll see these trees in interior projects 

Benefits of Pallets 

Pallets are great for a lot of people for different reasons. 

They’re easy on your wallet, since timber tends to be pretty affordable compared to other pallet materials, such as steel and plastic. 

They are also very easy to repair.  You can’t really repair a plastic pallet, but wood is much easier to repair with the nails and wood that’s there. 

Finally, they’re sustainable. You can recycle these, and they work well. 

Wood pallets are great, and they are something every business should consider for their construction needs too. 

Moving for the first time?

I have to say the first time I went to move was actually really scary.  I was not really sure waht I was doing and it put a whole lot of anxeity on me.  I know that sounds silly, but it was a truth that made the experience very stresfull and I want to help others not go through the same feelings as I did.  Now I tried to look up how to move on the internet but back then the articles were all for sales and not for actually helping people.  Instead of good advice I got uhaul articles.  Now I will say that in the years since my first move I have rented many uhauls so I guess the advice was not the worst, but many of the old way to move are simply not the best, and time has simply given us more options and spending a few bucks can save thousands in the long run.

 

What I mean by this was the first advice I was given was to go out and get free boxes.  I went to all teh local big box stores and got used cheap moving boxes that they were about the throw out.  Now I thought this was amazing.  But I also had to buy lots of tape to put them back together and they were used and flemsy.  What really happened was that many boxes fell apart and they also flexed when lifting.  So many of my boxes that got filled with heavy weight flexed while lifting and the people dropped them.  I lost a lot of items due to bad boxes.  The cheap moving boxes that I picked up cost me thousands of dollars in damage and most of my dishes. 

 

I have moved many people and my own family several times since then and I have seen many injuries caused by flexible cardboard boxes.  It really is a  bad problem which can be easily resolved by spending about 30 bucks.  I learned a few years ago that companies exist to fill this expensive gap.  The packaging supply companeis sell moving packages that come with all types of heavy duty boxes, tape, and markers.  It really is a dream for moving and you would never know if you hadn't done it before.  It cost a few dollars more in prep work but can save you injuries and simply broken goods.  The small things in life really are a joy and this is one area to think about.

 

The next thing to do is if you do not have a vehicle to move it may cost more in gas to use cars and trucks then to rent a big truck for the day.  It cost in reality about 100 dollars to rent a uhaul for a single day.  If you have 5 friends driving cars and trucks back and fourth 3 to 4 times and you add all of that and the possible damage to their vehicles and maybe even you getting all those items in it may smply be cheaper to rent a truck or a trailer. I am usually a cheap person, but sometimes it really is less expensive in the long run by renting  truck.  So think about your items very specificalyl and see if you may need one. Hope these tips help!