Pallet is an English term accepted by the Royal Spanish Academy ( RAE ), which in any case also recognizes its version as palé . The platform formed with boards that is used for the storage and transfer of merchandise is called a pallet or pallet.
Pallets are structures used to move cargo . When a load is on a pallet, it is easy to lift and transport it using hydraulic cranes such as pallet trucks or forklifts .
It is estimated that pallets emerged during the Second World War . During the development of said war, armies began to use this resource to facilitate the arrival of supplies to the troops.
To facilitate loading and unloading operations, there are different types of pallets that have been standardized and always have the same measurements. The so-called universal pallet , for example , measures 1200 x 1000 millimeters , while the European pallet measures 1200 x 800 millimeters .
It should be noted that most pallets are made of wood. In fact, it is estimated that at least 90% of the market corresponds to wooden pallets , which are treated with antibacterial products. Anyway, there are also metal pallets , cardboard pallets and plastic pallets .
The process for arranging goods on a pallet is called palletizing or palletizing . Thanks to this procedure, the load is placed in boxes or other types of packaging and is ready for handling and transportation using pallets, thereby saving time .
Beyond its industrial use, in recent times the pallet has begun to be part of the basic DIY materials. Although at first glance it may seem difficult to believe, with a pallet it is possible to manufacture all types of furniture with a very attractive and modern appearance , which gives a rural touch to any environment and results in significant monetary savings.
As is often the case with other types of products that we can make at home, pallets give us the opportunity to create simple furniture, which requires basic manipulation of materials , or embark on more complex processes, which require many measurements, cuts and hands. of paint to literally transform these wooden bases into frames, shelves or even baskets.
Within the immense variety of furniture that we can make with pallets, perhaps the simplest of all is the bed: if our desire is simply to get a base so that our mattress does not rest directly on the floor, then the manufacturing process can consist in grouping and stacking a few pallets. Of course, we can add a series of steps to this so that the results are more satisfactory.
For example, one of the fundamental resources to personalize designs made with pallets is to sand, paint and varnish them. In this way we can give them the color or colors we want so that they adapt to the rest of the elements in the room and soften their surface to avoid injuries when rubbing against it. The finish of the wood is necessary beyond aesthetics, especially if we pick up the pallet from the street.
Since the extension and width of the pallets does not always fit the characteristics of the product we want to create, with a little patience and skill we can cut them. In the case of a bed, the ideal is that the dimensions are the same as the mattress, but there are those who leave an excess at the headboard or at the foot to place lamps, pillows or other complementary products such as decorations, which enhance the impact of the design. end.