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View Full Version : Using Pallets for building materials


trebor
03-09-2014, 02:39 PM
This is a picture I got from facebook. It shows that little decal on the wood indicating its ok to use. Usually found on food service pallets
Yes this is from Richards thread "New house, New chapter" I did not want to invade his great thread with pallet info...

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55753&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=55753&ppuser=7970)

Kat2
03-09-2014, 03:15 PM
I wonder why you shouldn't use ones that have been rained on. Sure, if they're been stored outside they're probably rotten or starting to rot but otherwise wouldn't they be okay? BTW, thanks for the label/info. I've used pallets before but have become leery of doing so as of late; nice to know it's possible to safely reuse perfectly good wood.

trebor
03-09-2014, 04:50 PM
Kat2
I'm going to agree with you about the wet wood. Its not going to matter wet or dry..
Wood coated with preservatives smells and should have a green tint to it.
Pallets used in the food industry are not going to have poision on them or any toxic anything.
Yes there is always a possibility something getting on a pallet that is bad
I have made chicken coups using pallets that have been in use for years. Also boarders in lawns. I've cooked with them .. So if anything I'm going to not cook with them any more .. Just to be cautious.. And yes I'm glad this has been brought to my attention. I can get pallets at any time :-) they just seem pop up in front of me from time to time...

Checker55
03-09-2014, 05:23 PM
The pallets with those markings mean they have been heat treated at at least 132.8 F for at least 30 minutes. That marking is an ISPM 15 stamp. It means nothing about being safe for use around food . Pallet companies that recycle can use chemically treated treated lumber to make pallets . They than have them heat treated in a heat chamber and can place that marking on the pallet.

Scuba_Dave
03-09-2014, 05:42 PM
The pallets with those markings mean they have been heat treated at at least 132.8 F for at least 30 minutes. That marking is an ISPM 15 stamp. It means nothing about being safe for use around food . Pallet companies that recycle can use chemically treated treated lumber to make pallets . They than have them heat treated in a heat chamber and can place that marking on the pallet.

Actually pallets that are chemically treated require a different stamping - MB
They can be heat treated, then chemically treated
But most companies will not chemically treat & then heat treat as this can cause the release of the chemicals
In addition the HT stamp is only "good" for the initial Mfg, no telling what the Pallet was used for after that

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/91/IPPC_standard.png/693px-IPPC_standard.png

cincinnana
03-09-2014, 07:30 PM
If they are free they are for me....:ha:
That is my motto for free wooden skids
I handle all kinds of skids each day that I work, Plastic postal, full oak, mixed pine, pressed wood, and the best, recycled plastic.
WE ship also international .
We follow ALL REGULATIONS.
I can tell you ..they(the skids) are only certified ONCE.
After it leaves the manufacturer anything goes.
NOT every business follows the law..
I can tell you first hand it is not what you want it to be or think it is.

I have found birds, possums, snakes, snails, spiders, frogs, not from the Ohio Valley Region... all from the deep south.

Latest free skid wood projects.
Pine, resawn ,Superdeck brand stain redwood color

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/110357684@N02/13047002995/" title="Skid wood resaw by Hostafarian, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3639/13047002995_a2ff353a9b_c.jpg" width="800" height="598" alt="Skid wood resaw"></a>

Kat2
03-09-2014, 07:42 PM
Love your saw! And the birdhouses are really cute.

cincinnana
03-09-2014, 08:12 PM
Love your saw! And the birdhouses are really cute.

Thanks Kat, I was stepping up the cuteness level for the birdhouses with the two toned stain. Glad you liked them.

cincinnana
03-09-2014, 08:26 PM
I also burn them.
There goes my carbon footprint.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/110357684@N02/13048625903/" title="Untitled by Hostafarian, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2794/13048625903_fe4b072aee_c.jpg" width="800" height="450" alt="Untitled"></a>

cincinnana
03-11-2014, 10:06 AM
I wonder why you shouldn't use ones that have been rained on. Sure, if they're been stored outside they're probably rotten or starting to rot but otherwise wouldn't they be okay? BTW, thanks for the label/info. I've used pallets before but have become leery of doing so as of late; nice to know it's possible to safely reuse perfectly good wood.

Actually many skids that are made with pine have a "mill glaze" applied to them to make them repellant to chemicals and moisture.
And leaving them out in the elements for a bit the glaze will wash out and open up the wood.

For me this lets wood stain to penetrate , if I did not do this the stain will just lay on top of the finish and not soak in.


If you look at my first pic in the garage you see a band across a bird house ....that is caused by the glaze not being removed all the way.

Just tossing this out there for those who work with kind of stuff.

trebor
03-11-2014, 09:35 PM
Hope you dont mind my mail box idea just thought it was another little something ya might make

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd306/hgils/4910.jpg (http://s226.photobucket.com/user/hgils/media/4910.jpg.html)

cincinnana
03-12-2014, 12:22 AM
Hope you dont mind my mail box idea just thought it was another little something ya might make

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd306/hgils/4910.jpg (http://s226.photobucket.com/user/hgils/media/4910.jpg.html)

That is way cool!!

Richard
03-12-2014, 12:28 AM
Since my suppliers are merchants that frequently ship overseas, and pallets for ocean shipments must be treated with all kinds of pest deterrents, I've never seen or received a pallet with any kind of "re-use" label. As of March 2014, I'm required to pay a $24/pallet deposit fee which is refunded upon return of the pallet.

trebor
03-13-2014, 04:37 PM
So ..Today wile in a drug store just up the street from my house . I stumble on a bunch of pallets inside the store . Where they are being used as a display base. Yes they have all sorts of products on them. I got busted for photographing the decal or stamping. I explained to the very grumpy store employee I was interested in the type of treatment they have. She was not impressed with my interests at ALL! She demanded I erase the pictures :-) I complied so as not to upset her. But... YES! I had emailed a few to my mail account so I got the pictures I wanted without upsetting the "Control Freak" who manages the store..
Heat treated rite here in the good old USA :woohoonaner:

PS: I dont know why the camera or the software makes the picture on its side .. In my phone its as it should be in my computer as well.. But Android pictures seem to do this.. So dont yell at me .. Im thinking Snooky knows why this happens

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55761&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=55761)