Pallets

[Bruno of NH]

Got the mini pallet shop set up ,cut station, nailing jig made.
Made 10 HD softwood pallets for the bridge company to try.

 

 

 

 

[Jim_Rogers]

Nice job.

Jim Rogers

[cutterboy]

Bruno, you just keep selling stuff! If it's made of wood you sell it. Keep it up, I hope this works for you. All the best.
btw, those pallets look good.

[Nebraska]

Those are pretty nice. I hope you are well paid for them.

[WV Sawmiller]

Bruno,

   Good looking pallets. Is this a salvage operation where you plan to use any accumulated low grade wood or are you buying and cutting the logs with pallets as the intended end product from start to finish? Are you just planning on making one size pallet or will you be making any specialty ones too?

   Are you using air or electric nailers? If not is there any drilling of pilot holes involved? As you can see from my questions I know nothing about making pallets.

   Many of my friends first job as teenagers was working at local pallet mills. The sawmill looked like Eustace Conway's on Mountain Men or on the Waltons with belts flopping and no guards on anything and they were pounding 12-16 penny nails into oak and gum boards using 3 lb baby sledge hammers. 

   Good luck. I hope it all works out well for you. Please keep us posted.

[Bruno of NH]

Howard
I'm using air nailers I have from my contracting days. They go together fast after building a nailing jig.
The materials are low quality cuts left over from other orders.
The runners are 2"×3.5"x48" and I have many short 5' to 6' logs I can use for this.
I'm hoping the bridge company likes them, if so the order will be for 100 pallets a month and 100 oak or ash 4x4x8 a month plus custom dunage as needed.

[WV Sawmiller]

   Great. Are they or do they have to be all softwood or could you use any hardwood you have available? Can you mix the soft and hardwood if the need/opportunity comes up?

   I love the idea of having a use and market for off cuts and such. Another great idea.

[Bruno of NH]

They will take what ever hardwood or softwood but they only want to pay softwood price. 
I'm going to use low grade oak deck boards that I saw off the dunage as well.

[Ianab]

Any sawmill operation is going to produce some low grade or short wood, it's just the nature of logs.  Finding a market for it is better than throwing it on the burn pile. 

Buying logs to exclusively build pallets would be a marginal business, it can be done, but you need cheap logs, a VERY efficient operation, and probably end up putting some material into the pallet that's actually worth more. But making some from your lower grade product / short or defect logs etc makes good sense. Even if the $$ are only average, it's another income stream, generated from something that  you didn't have much market for previously. 

[customsawyer]

Great looking pallets. IMHO this only works if you can find the labor to build the pallets. The math doesn't work for me to park a 50K sawmill to run a $300.00 nail gun, unless they are paying a premium. Hired help is harder to find then equipment in my area.

[Bruno of NH]

I'm still running the sawmill and filling orders and sawing inventory. 
I have the help at the moment. 

[B.C.C. Lapp]

Nice work Bruno.   You will get faster as you build more.  This is a good time to have a little extra cash coming in while at the same time using the low grade lumber.    How can you lose?

[Bruno of NH]

One thing I have learned 
The blade needs to be in the wood for me to move forward. 
Everything else is just an add on .
I'm lucky right now I have guys that are my age that retired from their main jobs and the wife doesn't want them drinking beer all day. They work at the mill , which helps me out.

[240b]

Nice!  the semi retired guys are handy to have available.

[trimguy]

Yes, and I'm sure their work ethic is much better.

[Bruno of NH]

They work hard and enjoy it
I try to other things as tailing the mill all day might make them lose interest. 
Then I'm back to useless guys 

[Ianab]

'm lucky right now I have guys that are my age that retired from their main jobs and the wife doesn't want them drinking beer all day. They work at the mill , which helps me out

I'm probably in that group. :D

I'm not stacking wood or making pallets, I'm part time sorting and delivering mail and parcels for an old friend. I could hunt for more ~$100 an hour IT work (and still do some), but do I need more of that crap on my blood pressure?  Jump in a van for a few hours and deliver some mail and parcels? Some days I'd do it for free.  (crap weather tomorrow. but at least I'm getting paid)


I'm out of the country for the next 2 weeks, that will probably decide how "valuable" I am. :D 

[Magicman]

I may not have all of the things that I ever wanted but....

I do have everything that I will ever need. 

[Bruno of NH]

I don't drink so their wives know they won't here  :D

[WV Sawmiller]

  Put them to work on piecework and they can make as much or as little money as they want and you know better how much the pallets are costing you to make.

 I know my classmates back when I was in school used to get a set fee for every pallet they made instead of an hourly rate.

  I think that is a good deal for your help/labor force to hire retired people who just want to socialize a little and earn a little mad money and as someone else mentioned, I suspect they are more dependable than most of the help you get these days. I'd bet if you tell them you are in a bind they will step up and work extra hours they might not normally be interested in working.

[Deese]

Looks good Bruno. 👍 

[Texas Ranger]

Happy Birthday, WV!

[WV Sawmiller]

Thanks TR.

[Bruno of NH]

Update 
The check got mailed on time.
They are committed 
They are buying a trailer to leave at the mill to load up the pallets and dunage .

[WV Sawmiller]

   BTW - I see your stringers are all cut square. Are you going to add a pair of notches in the future for the forklift forks to use if picking up from the sides?

[Bruno of NH]

Howard 
They only needed single entry
I will have to save for a notched if I get calls for double entry 
Could make a jig for an radial arm saw with a wobbler cutter.

[jimbarry]

We're on similar paths Bruno. Once the parts are cut, the boss and I can fully assemble a pallet with the other parts to make a crate in 3-1/2 minutes, while on the concrete floor of the workshop. This Hitachi air nailers are one of the best inventions ever. What type nails are you using? Only choices to buy locally are 2-3/8" spirals, common wire, plastic collated. About $65 a box of 2,500 after taxes. The galv ones are double the price.



 

 

[Bruno of NH]

Jim I use the same nails 
Just got a new box today $65 my gun is a Bostich 
Left over from my days as a builder.

[B.C.C. Lapp]

We're glad its working Bruno.  But you know what they say, "You make your own luck."    Lots of truth to that.

[Bruno of NH]

I needed an other nail gun for the pallet shop. I had lent this N63cp working to a friend with a bottle of gun oil. It got returned after a year and he said it didn't work anymore. I suspect the oil never got used.
I couldn't find a rebuild kit for this model . It's not supported by Bostitich anymore. 
Got a kit for a 65 .
I used to do this a lot when I was contacting. 
Opened the gun up it looks like he used dirt as a substitute for oil  :D
Changed all the o-rings that matched up a couple didn't. Cleaned them and let sit in oil for a spell.
Will see how long it lasts.


 

[Southside]

I picked up a Milwaukee cordless framing nailer a couple of years ago and honestly I have not touched my Bosch since then.  She runs as fast as you can go, drives with zero issue, no exhaust knocking your hat off when working at weird angles on a ladder, does not need oil, and not dragging the hose around and fetching it up is icing on the cake.  

[barbender]

One of these days👍

[Jeff]

Bruno, I'd love to work a couple days a week fir you, but the commute might not compute. ;)

[Ventryjr]

x2 agreed with @Southside  on the Milwaukee cordless nailer. I shot 3.25" nails thru it daily.  I won't go back to air. 

[2308500]

millwaukee all the way. we have over 100k 3 1/4 through ours and it hasnt skipped a beat yet
pallets can be a great market for wood that may otherwise get chipped or burned

[btulloh]

How's the weight and balance on the Milwaukee?

Been thinking about getting a cordless, but was looking at the paslode gas version. Milwaukee sounds like a better way to go and I've already got plenty of Milwaukee batteries. No exhaust, no oil, no gas fumes - winner, winner, winner.

I assume it's got all the usual features? Rafter hook? How about jams?  Easy to clear?

[Daburner87]

My main concern is the battery life.   All of my stuff is Makita, but Makita surprisingly doesn't make one.   How many shots of 3.25" nails do you get on a full battery?

[Southside]

Weight and balance is excellent, yes on the hooks, no idea on the number of nails, never counted but with a 5AH battery it's a lot. I have yet to have it jam so can't say how it is to clear.

They are a really nice unit. 

[btulloh]

Well no jam is better than clearing a jam. Actually, most of my jams on my air framer are self-inflicted. I have developed a bad habit when bump shooting that leads to a quick double tap and a jam.  So not a nailer problem, just a mental disorder.  :-\

[Bruno of NH]

Bruno, I'd love to work a couple days a week fir you, but the commute might not compute. ;)

You have an open invitation Sir 

[Walnut Beast]

Once you go Paslode or electric you won't go back to dragging a air hose around. All sizes of nails from galvanized to ring shank will work. Had the older Paslodes now the newer ones

 

[Bruno of NH]

I have 3 Paslodes 
They are next on this list for a cleaning and rebuild. 
The guy building the pallets doesn't like the Paslodes . He says they are to heavy for his shoulders  :D

[customsawyer]

Thanks a lot guys. Now I'll have to go buy one.

[cutterboy]

Bruno, I've learned over the years to never lend out my equipment. It often doesn't come back or comes back broken.  I don't borrow stuff either. In the past I'd borrow something and break it. Then I'd have to buy a new one to replace it.

[taylorsmissbeehaven]

Im with you cutter, buying a brand new one to replace someones used one kinda hurts. I was once told there are three things you dont loan out.
1. Your best gal
2. Your best bird dog
3. Whatever it is the person in front of you is wanting to borrow

[Old Greenhorn]

In this world
There are two things dear to life
A man's tools, and a man's wife
You don't ask to borrow my tools
And I won't ask to borrow your wife

[jpassardi]

I was eyeballing the Dewalt as I have all Dewalt tools. My Senco works but the hose is a pain and the feed does jam at times. Anyone have a Dewalt?

[MattM]

@jpassardi I bought the DeWalt framing nailer about 6 years ago now, built my house with it along with a fair bit of other stuff. It's not as fast as an air nailer but faster than hand nailing (which is what I've gone back to) and when you hold down the trigger it stays spooled up and you can nail fairly quick. I'd buy whatever brand I already had.... If you have other DeWalt tools get DeWalt, no sense in having 2 or 3 different brand of batteries to charge..... Been there, done that.... 

[jpassardi]

Thanks Matt, good to know it has treated you well.

[MattM]

It's a great little machine.. I'm sure all the other brands are as well. The only reason I've gone back to hand nailing now is the price of paslode nails up here has gotten ridiculous the past few years. Also the regular 3.25in paslodes rust really bad in green pine. I now buy all my nails galvanized and by the 50lb box and usually stick with spirals. 
If I was doing something that needs to be built quick or was making me money. I would pay the extra for the nail gun nails in a heartbeat though. 

[Bruno of NH]

After I built pallets for the bridge company, I put an add on Facebook Market place with pallets for sale.
I got lots of trolls from a New England state saying you'll never sell them they are free on every corner.
Got a order today from Facebook Market place for 100 .
The customer said he could get used for $5 each but going to buy from me because they are built much better.
My point never give up. Things can be marketed and sold.
I like proving trolls wrong.
I done it all my life
He can't play sports too fat
He can't climb on that roof too fat
He can't white water canoe too fat
He can't start 3 business too fat
Never quit or give up 

[Bruno of NH]

Did a test on building pallets with a Paslode cordless nail vs Bostitch air coil nailer.
Bostitch wins when pallet building.
Bump firing is the key for speed

[barbender]

You are an inspiration Bruno! I was just thinking of you yesterday, I had lots of lumber and firewood orders to get out, but I did something to a knee and it was hurting bad. I wanted to just go lay on the couch, but I thought, "Bruno is out there every day on TWO bad knees!". So I pushed through. 

[Walnut Beast]

Right on Bruno 💪💪💪💪

[trimguy]

Good for you Bruno !

[Peter Drouin]

Keep at it, Or lay down and die.  ;) 

[jimbarry]

Never quit or give up

... until your wallet is too fat. 

[Bruno of NH]

If I was to die in the mill yard working,I would be going out doing something I enjoyed. 
My Dad past of lung cancer and that's no way to go.
I enjoy working always have.

[230Dforme]

Good evening Bruno, I look at FF several times a day and really enjoy it, although I  rarely participate.
Your posts are enjoyable and informative, and other
members are eager to to reply
Don't ever doubt your self, or listen to others nonsense 
If we were closer, I am am sure we would be good
friends and working together 

Go get em
Dave
Lake George, NY

[Magicman]

If we were closer, I am am sure we would be good friends and working together

Don't let the distance hold you back. 


 
I drove over 1500 miles to meet Jim.  

[Bruno of NH]

100 ready for pick-up 

 

[JoshNZ]

What's your jig look like Bruno, mind me asking?

Ive decided to palletise our sawing operation, sick of double handling.



 

I've only made a handful so far, not been too fussy about gaps and overhang. Soon realise how heavy a Paslode is when you've put a dozen rows through it in ten minutes, need a nail farm to keep this up!

[Bruno of NH]

The jig is very simple 
I will get some pictures of it .

[cutterboy]

Looks good Bruno. What kind of wood?..pine?..hemlock?

[Bruno of NH]

Pine, hemlock, oak, ash, poplar 

[Bruno of NH]

Update 
The pallet building is going well. The bridge company just added another 100 a month so 100 every 2 weeks plus the donnage. I will be in the market for a resaw in the future. 

[stavebuyer]

The Wood-Mizer HR series is a lot saw for the money. It has enormous cant capacity for an entry level resaw, I even used mine for reclaiming lumber from slabs.

[cutterboy]

That's good news Bruno. They must like your pallets.
Why does a bridge company need so many pallets? Do they sell a product?

[Bruno of NH]

This company make big steel beams for the making of bridges.
They hire special trucks and trailers to move them all over the east cost.
The beams are 5' to 6' tall and many feet long .
I think they ship bolts and other hardware on them .

[Resonator]

That would be my guess too, I hauled some loads out of a company in Wausau (near me) that builds interstate highway bridges. They prefabricate as much as possible, and then ship the pieces to the jobsite. The welded steel I beams themselves can be 100'+ long, and are hauled on specialized steerable trailers. The steel "X" braces I hauled are loaded on flatbeds, and shipped with hardware, brackets, or any other parts for the bridge. Every piece of the bridge has be inspected to meet specs, and then certified by the highway department of the state they are going to.

[Bruno of NH]

That would be my guess too, I hauled some loads out of a company in Wausau (near me) that builds interstate highway bridges. They prefabricate as much as possible, and then ship the pieces to the jobsite. The welded steel I beams themselves can be 100'+ long, and are hauled on specialized steerable trailers. The steel "X" braces I hauled are loaded on flatbeds, and shipped with hardware, brackets, or any other parts for the bridge. Every piece of the bridge has be inspected to meet specs, and then certified by the highway department of the state they are going to.

Yes that's what they do