Pallets are used to stack, store, protect and move items, in a stable way, that are transported using equipment like forklifts and pallet jacks. Most pallets are made of wood, but there is also plastic, steel, paper, and composite options depending upon use. There is no “standard size” of pallets and the dimensions vary widely, especially internationally. They do tend to be reusable which is a cost-saver. However, if you work with a lot of pallets, they may end up taking up a lot of space and you will want to dispose of them.
The easiest option is to find a pallet recycler that will take the pallets whole, and in large quantities, and recirculate them back into use. However, if you don’t have this option, you’ll want to break them down before asking your waste hauler to take them away. Haulers charge a high price to take pallets, and it’s a much lower expense for a pile of boards to be removed.
Here we’ll discuss wooden pallets as these are the most common. They are generally assembled using a pneumatic nail gun together with spiral twisted nails, or Helical nails, that are preheated with glue. They are assembled to be used for long periods and not come apart. This makes disassembly more difficult. While most pallets, broken down, will yield a few 2 x 4’s and slat boards, those designed for heavier loads may leave 4 x 4’s as well. To break these down, we offer two solutions.
Shipping pallets in the US generally have 2-1/4” Helical nails to keep the wood in place. Trying to take them apart with most tools will cause damage. The reciprocating saw allows you to cut the nails to separate them. You will need to use a metal cutting demolition blade that will cut through the nails. You are better off with Bi-metal blades. Regular blades, that come with the saw, will likely end up breaking. We also recommend a 12” length to allow you to reach in awkward angles.
If you prefer to go for a more low-tech option, a crowbar is your tool. This method involves more work than the saw method. You need to be prepared to get dirty and use some elbow grease.
For either method, you will need to remove the nails when possible.
Other considerations: You, or anyone local in your area, might want to reuse the wood for building a variety of items, from coffee tables, shelves, lights, or pathways. Be sure to only share pallets that were not used to transport food or chemicals as those may live on in the wood. Taking the pallets apart to reclaim the wood involves good planning not to damage the wood, so use extra caution to maximize the result.
If you’re in the shipping business and you want your pallets to last, you can trust BECK to provide the crating SCRAIL® and pneumatic tools you’ll need. Crating SCRAIL® fasteners are popular because of their coarse threads that ensure easier and more consistent removal for dismantling. Additionally, the coarse thread gives it more surface area, which allows the fastener to grip to the wood better, an essential feature when palletizing valuable items. Learn more about crating SCRAIL® in our whitepaper by clicking the button below.