Pallets

[Cate68]

Hi all,

I just found out I can get all the pallets I want from work. I brought the first one home (what a chore it was getting it into the back of my Civic!) and broke it up, and wondered if anyone can identify the wood. Most are made of pine, but this one is heavy for it's small size and appears to have 2 kinds of wood. MC is between 5 and 8.4%. Any ideas? Pine and maple maybe, or all pine?

(broken link removed to http://picasaweb.google.com/102957219770268222674/Pallet?authkey=Gv1sRgCNapodHtxamGBw#)

 

[bogydave]

looks like oak, probably pretty heavy

 

[SmokinPiney]

Yep that's oak.. Cut it up with a sawzall and toss it in the stove!

 

[Thistle]

Ash or Hickory,4th pic with darker wood rail looks like Cherry.4 yrs ago I got 50' of roughsawn 3" X 4" Cherry dunnage in 8' & 10' lengths at a jobsite one day.Was originally on a flatbed semi load of steel beams from a mill in Pennsylvania.Nice to get these scores,I've found everything from old Douglas Fir,Hickory,Red/White Oak,Hard & Soft Maples,Cottonwood,Hickory,White/Yellow Pine & even low-grade Walnut in various pallets,skids & dunnage.At least 80% gets burned,but occasionally a nice clear knot free piece will get discovered for a table leg or candlestick.

 

[Cate68]

Oak? Well that was unexpected, but explains the weight. Thanks guys! Good news indeed...I'll bring every one of them home!

 

[bogydave]

Time for a roof rack?
Remember if you burn these, they are usually real dry & will burn allot hotter than normal splits. So mix it in
with your splits.

 

[Cate68]

Time for a roof rack?
Remember if you burn these, they are usually real dry & will burn allot hotter than normal splits. So mix it in
with your splits.

Very true. I put a few small pieces in, no larger than kindling, to see how they'd burn. I had a box full of flames - very pretty, but I'm glad I didn't put much more in. I'll be cutting these into small lengths for sure.

Thistle - did you make the candle stick? I'd love to see a picture if you have one.

 

[Thistle]

[quote author="Cate" date="1296799

Thistle - did you make the candle stick? I'd love to see a picture if you have one.[/quote]

Not of that material yet,its still under a heavy tarp (and 12"+ of snow) on spare picnic table in backyard.I have used other woods such as Hickory & White Oak over the years though.I normally bring home stuff when I get the chance (like everyone else here),it might be years before I either use it for myself or make things for sale.Getting close on storage space,one thing we all have in common is we're basically 'hoarders' cause if we dont grab the stuff today,it most likely will be gone tommorow! ;-P Some is air-dried enough to use immediately (10-14%) some is too green so it waits a while.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

Lots of folks have the idea that all pallet wood is pine. Around these parts we have a few places that build and sell pallets. I've never known them to use pine. Back in my sawmilling days we once got a large order for some pallet wood and it was specified that they wanted all.....cottonwood. Another times was popple. At one place I saw them using oak and maple. It no doubt has to do with what they want to ship on the pallets. Some of that has also to do with costs of the lumber.