tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5588228380282275730.post8626600245303999225..comments2024-01-26T06:20:28.369-06:00Comments on Cupboards Kitchen and Bath: When Trends Attack! Shipping Pallet EditionNick Loveladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08559118263073230914noreply@blogger.comBlogger80125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5588228380282275730.post-79295697960968692272017-02-17T00:39:00.926-06:002017-02-17T00:39:00.926-06:00I just want to how inhaling dust created from pall...I just want to how inhaling dust created from pallets sawed and sanded affects your health, not to mention stained, then elmmors glued, then polyurethane, dried with a blow dryer, all in doors! This is really happening in my home! No one will listen! Totally dangerous, right?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14761288577111488184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5588228380282275730.post-73713673024523315922016-10-09T18:19:47.853-05:002016-10-09T18:19:47.853-05:00Instead of denigrating the hygiene of a hard-worki...Instead of denigrating the hygiene of a hard-working individual, why not be more concerned for their safety? If pallets are as dangerous as this post and other research suggests, should we all be using our righteous indignation to advocate for safer conditions for our food and our citizens, rather than making the issue about from whom consumers chose to source their materials. Also, a point that I have not seen discussed, is that many people seek out these DIY options because they don't mind putting their sweat behind a project to have something that they could otherwise never dream of affording (even the materials alone). It is far too easy to criticize others from a financially stable vantage point. I have no argument with your factual assertions about pallet safety, but in general the post and comments lack empathy. If you want to change people's minds and if you care about their safety, be kind. Don't make them feel like idiots or you will lose your a audience!MThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17508207098134309324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5588228380282275730.post-85403766919097763482016-05-19T00:29:07.139-05:002016-05-19T00:29:07.139-05:00Yeah this is rediculous! Bunch of germaphobe snobs...Yeah this is rediculous! Bunch of germaphobe snobs. Oh my trash and oh my, dirt. Dont you know the human body has the same chemical make up (or for you genuses) our bodies are made of and require the exact same elements of earth. The only place to find the real vitamins, minerals, water, all the elements needed for us to function on a daily basis. Youre welcome for lesson #1, lesson number 2 is, they can be sprayed down and soaked with hydrogen peroxide. Peroxide gets down in all those pourous places you spoke of. Let it fizzle for about ten minutes, continuing spraying peroxide in obvious places and rinse with a power washer. Ive got some pretty trash. You city folk scared of dirt and germs is hillarious! Ya might go breaking a nail, oh my! Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15891689419452636823noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5588228380282275730.post-13839588415466793892015-12-15T12:18:30.457-06:002015-12-15T12:18:30.457-06:00Nick, Thanks for the info. If the pallet wood was...Nick, Thanks for the info. If the pallet wood was sealed with polyurethane, would it then be safe to use? I am not interested in using it for a dinning room table, but I do like the wood and have some project interests, if there is a way to seal it safely. Guesthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09955212294297247002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5588228380282275730.post-12006002213444272242015-12-15T12:15:23.066-06:002015-12-15T12:15:23.066-06:00Nick. Thanks for the info. If the wood was seale...Nick. Thanks for the info. If the wood was sealed with polyurethane would it be safe to use? I am not interested in making a dinning room table, but I do like the look of pallet wood and have some projects I wanted to do. Is there a way to seal it so that nothing leaches into the environment? Guesthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09955212294297247002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5588228380282275730.post-74276709576593304822014-12-21T13:39:10.167-06:002014-12-21T13:39:10.167-06:00I assume you're talking about MDF and the like...I assume you're talking about MDF and the like.<br />While these products have, in the past, been shown to off-gas quite a lot of VOC's and formaldehyde, most of the current stuff has been certified to be much safer. I still wouldn't buy furniture that employs these materials, not because of the chemicals, but because MDF sucks.<br />Pallets, on the other hand, are treated no better than a slaughterhouse floor and don't require certifications of any sort. They are frequently tainted with all manner of toxic chemicals and carry disease.<br />You CAN make them safe to use. It's not worth it. Build something NICE instead.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5588228380282275730.post-7475924643058604172014-12-21T13:26:32.649-06:002014-12-21T13:26:32.649-06:00Irene, could you please tell me where your store i...Irene, could you please tell me where your store is so that I might avoid accidentally shopping there?<br />While I do appreciate old-world construction methods and find that tools that were made for craftsmen (instead of stockholders) are of consistently higher quality, I can not abide the absolute ignorance you have displayed in your commentary.<br />Nick is talking about using recycled garbage as lumber. Your argument is that, because the pallet or barn wood is old, it's inherently better?<br />The people who crafted that barn did not go looking for crap wood to start their project. The barn stood the test of time because of good materials and, more importantly, proven construction methods that I suspect you did not employ when you used that old, distressed and antique-looking wood to build your shelves out of the carcass of a dilapidated (and probably filthy) barn.<br />Re-read the article and separate your business interests from the argument while you actually think about it this time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5588228380282275730.post-14286973085757324352014-12-21T13:17:15.758-06:002014-12-21T13:17:15.758-06:00An aged look in wood is incredibly easy to achieve...An aged look in wood is incredibly easy to achieve!<br />Spray the surface with hydrogen peroxide and leave them in the sun for a couple hours. The wood will grey out very well but retain it's structural integrity.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5588228380282275730.post-50233016242738149372014-07-03T15:44:28.014-05:002014-07-03T15:44:28.014-05:00Check the other post where university scientists, ...Check the other post where university scientists, researchers and extension agents were consulted and read their quotes. We dug pretty deep on this subject.<br /><br />http://www.cupboardsonline.com/2013/01/when-trends-attack-pallet-edition-part-2.htmlNick Loveladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08559118263073230914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5588228380282275730.post-77962936683258826152014-07-03T15:40:02.367-05:002014-07-03T15:40:02.367-05:00Thanks for the comment!
This article was a bit al...Thanks for the comment!<br /><br />This article was a bit alarmist in its nature(YES). Some of your tone was very "well, I'm not bringing that into my home" and was a bit condescending(YES). I have a feeling we could walk through your home and see all sorts of cleaning chemicals, processed woods, synthetic materials, etc. that one could write a similarly toned article(Probably could, but I'm NEVER intentionally bringing in items that are almost assuredly contaminated)<br /><br />The point of counterarguments like mine is to encourage discussion. Thanks for helping.Nick Loveladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08559118263073230914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5588228380282275730.post-49516740040886633762014-07-03T15:37:03.397-05:002014-07-03T15:37:03.397-05:00Great comment- great information.Great comment- great information.Nick Loveladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08559118263073230914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5588228380282275730.post-63470443421112398422014-07-03T15:32:38.400-05:002014-07-03T15:32:38.400-05:00Fortunately Alejandro, as a kitchen designer no on...Fortunately Alejandro, as a kitchen designer no one's irresponsible DIY has any effect at all on my wallet. I don't make or sell anything that would compete. Good try, though.Nick Loveladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08559118263073230914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5588228380282275730.post-50308713458982880822014-07-03T14:59:07.974-05:002014-07-03T14:59:07.974-05:00After reading to most comments doing some research...After reading to most comments doing some research on the matter pretty much the same ones mentioned above and all your previous post (this to you nick) it seems to me your just worried about bussines going out the back door. Great come back Jeremy I was on the same track, glad some one wrote this down. Shame on you Nick your wallet is making you "rant" as you stated.Alejandrohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07294623780481217668noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5588228380282275730.post-40831719376445279302014-05-07T10:12:54.235-05:002014-05-07T10:12:54.235-05:00I have no stance on the issue yet however there li...I have no stance on the issue yet however there lies a contradiction in your argument Nick. You stated E. coli and Listeria were food borne pathogens found in pallets tested (less than 20%). You further state with the opportunity to gather any moisture, these very pallets could also be a breeding ground for salmonella and you would not eat off these surfaces.......However you recommend that they use these same pallets for composting?? If one were to use the compost for planting anything other than non edible plants fine. Unfortunately, most compost is used for edible vegetation in home gardening. Considering this information - why would I directly place edible goods into a container that would breed mold, E coli, and other pathogens? It seems as if you did not fully research the issue.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04717284304338212403noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5588228380282275730.post-56510570846680989242014-05-05T08:04:38.756-05:002014-05-05T08:04:38.756-05:00Plenty of misinformation in here and the whole art...Plenty of misinformation in here and the whole article was a bit alarmist. First of all, most pallets are not heat treated - the vast majority are made while the wood is "green", generally with a few days of being cut down. As far as why they are kiln dried - it is seldom that they are kiln dried just to reduce moisture content. They are kiln dried to remove/kill native pest for pallets that are being shipped overseas and those that are kiln dried require an HT stamp in order to be usable for overseas shipping.<br />Tylenol Story - if you had done your research, you would have found out that Tylenol was never able to prove that the pallets were the cause. Secondly, the chemical that they claimed caused it isn't even used in pallet manufacturing has been banned for years.<br />The only all-wood pallets that will have been made with chemicals will have a stamp on them as well as some industries require it. The chances of you finding one of these pallets without a stamp are slim. Why? Because there is very little use of this chemical, and second, it is expensive to make. A pallet manufacturer will want to make sure that it is clearly stamped so that they can get the premium price for this pallet. Its the same as a car manufacturer not telling a car buyer about upgrades on a vehicle they are looking at.<br />Yes, taking wood pallets from an old pile of garbage may not be the most sanitary thing to do, but that just takes common sense. But that goes for any DIY project. <br />This article was a bit alarmist in its nature. Some of your tone was very "well, I'm not bringing that into my home" and was a bit condescending. I have a feeling we could walk through your home and see all sorts of cleaning chemicals, processed woods, synthetic materials, etc. that one could write a similarly toned article.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5588228380282275730.post-84539750218687458182014-04-29T20:30:35.800-05:002014-04-29T20:30:35.800-05:00I know this is an old article, however I was looki...I know this is an old article, however I was looking for an article to send to a friend who is building pallet furniture for her home. I glanced through the comments and didn't really see anyone that has worked in the pallet business comment. So allow me. I managed a very large pallet plant that rebuilt old pallets and also built new ones. We had most of the large corporations business in our state. Picking up their used pallets or dropping off rebuilt ones. We picked up from a chicken farm. That pallet you picked up off the side of the road, the one that held fertilizer treated grass sod, I guarantee you it had raw chicken parts on it at some point in its life. Sure we pressure washed them with a special cleanser before rebuilding them to send to a grass farm...But they were just going to a grass farm. Why would they be heat treated? That's an extra $0.50 per pallet. What I'm trying to say is, you really don't want these things in your home. Spend the $5-$7 to have a reputable pallet yard build you a brand new one. They will do it... with brand new pine wood. Just don't get pallets off the side of the road. Just don't.rpowers24https://www.blogger.com/profile/09661946060820968975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5588228380282275730.post-34849463221977064402013-05-16T11:00:25.991-05:002013-05-16T11:00:25.991-05:00Thanks for the comments and being smart about your...Thanks for the comments and being smart about your DIY choices... Hopefully your project turns out great!Nick Loveladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08559118263073230914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5588228380282275730.post-47461534553338850322013-05-12T04:18:17.788-05:002013-05-12T04:18:17.788-05:00Nick,
You can scrap my earlier post. Yours was th...Nick,<br /><br />You can scrap my earlier post. Yours was the first anti-pallet blog I came across and as such, I blurted out pretty easy to answer questions. I have done my research now and understand a bit more (only a bit, but hey) about how wood gets to lumber yards and the differences between the different woods available. More importantly, I understand even more about the life of a pallet and yowzers, I would never have one in my home. <br /><br />Thankyou for your post as it started my research into this. Pallets are so trendy right now that there is no end to the Youtube video supply (and even reputable magazine photo spreads). When you see a person with 20-30 videos of their sound construction and beautiful paintwork, and pallets feature in products from coffee tables to headboards to kids dressers, then you just never guess that there are potential hazards. I have watched umpteen videos online and never heard a word of caution about cleaning and preparing pallets, not to mention the chemicals they may be leaking. You might not expect that from a DIYer with a couple of home-made videos but I was watching the ones that seemed a bit more professional. <br /><br />My son and I are going to get some pieces of lumber (well, cheap 1 inch thick boards) cut down for us and make his bed from them. I am sure it will look *terrible* but that's not really the point. Thanks again,<br /><br />LeahLeahMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14124019187766526633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5588228380282275730.post-1044135786208008122013-05-11T02:19:31.397-05:002013-05-11T02:19:31.397-05:00Thankyou all for the information - for and against...Thankyou all for the information - for and against - pallets on this thread. As a mother who has only recently discovered the pallet furniture concept, I can say that I am confused. <br /><br />I was considering making that very bed you referenced for my little boy! I can appreciate that many of the woodworkers who have commented don't like the look of it, but I am not after craftsmanship. I am after a project we can do together. My Dad built our bunk beds, our playhouse, our little chairs and table, even my cradle, from (purchased) lumber and recycled barnwood in his very basic, rustic way (with our 'help'), and I wanted to be able to do something similar for my kids - except I lack his carpentry skills. With pallets, if you keep the construction simple and aren't concerned with perfection, it seems you can make a kids bed or toy storage unit with very few skills. The kids can even help - how great for them! So, not everyone is building from pallets just because the wood is cheap or free. I bought my own (beautiful) bed and our dining table from a proper woodworking outfit and couldn't be more pleased with them.<br /><br />The bacterial content and even the potential pest content aren't too worrisome, for reasons pointed out (and because we own bleach and a sander and can inspect the wood). I am very concerned about chemicals and the safety of using pallets indoors. Even with kiln dried pallets, you can never know the history, what they may have been gassed with because of what they were carrying. But what about lumber from the hardware store...? <br /><br />Nick is there some regulating body, or even universal standard, for wood bought at the hardware store, that will allow me to be sure that these are not present in it if I build from that instead? If buying from a chain store, is there any way to know how my wood was sourced, in what conditions it travelled, with what it may have been treated? I was under the impression that wood sourced from these shops was bought as cheaply as possible from a variety of places and even countries. <br /><br />Finally, I have noticed several people suggesting that painting or staining and sealing the wood will prevent chemical leakage. Is there any truth in that? <br /><br />Thanks!<br /><br /> LeahMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14124019187766526633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5588228380282275730.post-63961186562395994342013-04-22T11:08:24.906-05:002013-04-22T11:08:24.906-05:00Used pallets have a higher risk of containing cont...Used pallets have a higher risk of containing contaminants than new pallets. Those are facts. <br /><br />I didn't compare them to shopping carts or water coolers because I haven't seen people making beds out of those things. <br /><br />There was no misquoting on my part about statistics- I appreciate that you are passionate about using pallets, but I am as enthusiastic about people knowing that there are potential dangers.<br /><br />If you were offended by the notion that people steal pallets, that's just the truth too. In all the years of having our showroom, ONE individual asked for permission to take some that we had behind our shop... I stopped calling the city to pick them up because I know people will pick them up.<br /><br />Thanks for the comments!Nick Loveladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08559118263073230914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5588228380282275730.post-73014905923238653082013-04-18T03:58:11.684-05:002013-04-18T03:58:11.684-05:00"Used pallets have a higher risk of containin..."Used pallets have a higher risk of containing contaminants, it's just the facts". Higher risk than what? The door to the office? The office water cooler? The grocery store shopping cart? I love the shopping cart comparison because, well, it handles your food like a pallet does. So let us do a quick comparison of two studies shall we? One, a study that you (mis)quote concerning pallets and one I found with a simple google search about E. Coli on shopping cart handles.<br /><br />70 wooden pallets were tested. 10%, or 7, were found to have strains of E. Coli on them.<br />36 shopping cart handles are tested. 50%, or 18, were found to have strains of E. Coli on them.<br /><br />Those are facts. You saying pallets have a higher risk of containing contaminants isn't a fact, it is conjecture, and a poorly conceived one at that.<br /><br />Now take into consideration all of the things you touch after a shopping cart handle, say...your food while you shop? Your wallet or purse? Your kids? I don't see how a pallet is any worse than this.<br /><br />As for your misquote, here is the actual information:<br />"In addition to the presence of E. coli, 2.9 percent of the wood pallets tested positive for Listeria, and half of these, when further tested, contained Listeria monocytogenes, one of the most virulent foodborne pathogens. This strain of Listeria is linked to a 20 to 30 percent rate of clinical infections resulting in death and causes approximately 2,500 illnesses and 500 deaths in the United States every year".<br /><br />So 2.9% had strains of Listeria on them. Half of 2.9% contained this wicked strain of Listeria responsible for a 20-30% mortality rate. Half of 2.9% is 1.45%. 1.45% of 70 is 1.015 pallets. So a single pallet in a group of 70 had this really bad bug on it. Do you see how my presentation of the information might be a little clearer, and honest?<br /><br />I regret not being able to find any concrete source quoting a specific percentage of shopping cart handles infected with the same strain of Listeria for comparison, but I am willing to bet it is much higher than 1 in 70 due to the prevalence of food borne bacteria in general.<br /><br />I have one more thing to point out. As a woodworker using reclaimed wood like I do, I take into consideration not only the condition of the wood I use but also the finishes I apply. I would take a sanded unfinished pallet table over one covered in stain and lacquer any day of the week. I am also offended by the assumption that anyone working with pallets steals then and are therefore thieves. Every pallet I have ever used was either taken with permission or purchased from the owner. <br />Finally, references for those of you that are interested in knowing where I got my information:<br /><br />http://www.nclnet.org/newsroom/press-releases/404-ncl-calls-on-fda-to-regulate-industry-after-tests-reveal-hidden-pathogens-on-pallets-used-to-transport-food<br /><br />http://www.nbcnews.com/id/41838546/ns/health-childrens_health/t/e-coli-found-percent-shopping-carts/<br /><br />http://www.cdc.gov/listeria/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5588228380282275730.post-88014174436521441622013-04-07T19:29:14.270-05:002013-04-07T19:29:14.270-05:00The point of these posts is that making a knock-of...The point of these posts is that making a knock-off version of a restored, reclaimed wood piece of furniture out of pallets is not just being cheap, but potentially dangerous. <br /><br />I'm all for upcycling and recycling, but the reason that I don't offer tips or tricks on working with pallets is because I don't think they belong in my customers homes. These posts, and the advice from the chemists, horticulturalists, university faculty, etc. all point to the fact that using used pallets in your home is irresponsible. I am a professional in the kitchen and bath industry- that's why I sought information from people who have more insight than I would.<br /><br />The argument can rage on forever. Used pallets have a higher risk of containing contaminants, it's just the facts.<br /><br />I didn't post these posts to unintentionally fear monger... It's very much what I meant to do. These are things you should be scared to bring in your home. Nick Loveladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08559118263073230914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5588228380282275730.post-2674524283975816722013-04-07T19:28:50.701-05:002013-04-07T19:28:50.701-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Nick Loveladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08559118263073230914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5588228380282275730.post-85768056391014540082013-04-07T19:04:46.642-05:002013-04-07T19:04:46.642-05:00Then what exactly was the point of either of these...Then what exactly was the point of either of these posts. If your worried about what people are bringing into there home why not offer to help restore the wood or at least offer professional tips on choosing, handling, and working with such things. You give us long lists of potential hazards and barley mention the likely hood of your of such hazards, because let's be serious you are no more likely to get ecoli from a pallet than your food and your house probably has mold in it than a pallet is even capable of containing. What you've done is a form of fear mongering, unintentional as it may be it is still fear mongering.itsnotnourhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11601740054005547084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5588228380282275730.post-21378962292526272332013-04-07T18:35:47.297-05:002013-04-07T18:35:47.297-05:00Unfortunately, our shop would be highly unlikely t...Unfortunately, our shop would be highly unlikely to take on a project that revolved primarily around used pallets. Nick Loveladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08559118263073230914noreply@blogger.com