This year, we are proud to partner with Bull City Woodshop, an organization dedicated to fostering individual development, community connection, and creativity through woodworking. Bull City Woodshop provides a safe space for people of all ages to learn woodworking within the local community. Both Pallet Alliance and Bull City Woodshop understand the value of building solid foundations, whether through pallets or community engagement, to create awareness of the wood industry and the opportunities within.
Tool Talk Event
As part of our exciting partnership, we conducted a “Tool Talk” session for the kids during their weekly classes. This session was designed to showcase how different materials and assembly techniques impact the strength and cost-effectiveness of pallets. The lessons from this session are relevant to our work and reflect the skills and knowledge the kids apply to their woodworking projects.
We began the session by explaining the differences between hardwoods and softwoods. Hardwoods come from deciduous trees and are generally denser and stronger, making them ideal for high-stress applications. In contrast, softwoods come from coniferous trees and are lighter and less dense, making them easier to work with but less durable. To illustrate this, we presented two identically sized boards: one hardwood and one softwood. Participants could physically feel the weight difference, highlighting the hardwood board’s greater density and strength.
Demonstrating Pallet Strength
Our demonstration focused on how material choice and assembly techniques affect pallet strength. We showed that hardwoods are stronger and deflect less under load compared to softwoods by placing a heavy weight on both types of boards. We also illustrated how moving the stringers closer together, creating what is known as a “wing,” significantly improved the deflection of the softwood board. Finally, placing the stringers directly under the weight eliminated deflection entirely. This emphasized that assembly techniques are as crucial as material selection in ensuring pallet strength and durability.
Customized Solutions
The sessions showcased the basics of pallet strength and assembly and the importance of customized pallet designs. We understand that each customer has unique requirements, whether it’s for handling heavier loads, reducing costs, or optimizing logistics. By applying the principles demonstrated in our session, we customize pallet designs that cater to specific needs while lowering costs and improving supply chain operations.
Building Better Pallets
Through these demonstrations, we gave key lessons in improving pallet strength by selecting the right materials and assembling them effectively. At Pallet Alliance, we apply these principles to help our customers reduce costs and enhance the durability of their pallet programs. By making informed choices about materials and assembly techniques, we ensure that pallets are both cost-effective and strong.
