How to Assemble Wooden Pallets (Part II)

Let’s take a closer look at two different options for nailing pallet components together.

1. Handheld Nail Guns
   Advancements in handheld nail guns provide companies the ability to mass produce pallets by using a pneumatic nail or staple gun to assemble pallet components. These handheld nail guns give us the flexibility to produce custom-sized wooden pallets that range in size from small display pallets up to very large pallets and crates. While production rates are slower on average than an automated nailing line, many two-people nailing crews can produce about a truckload of wooden pallets per eight hour shift.
   
   
2. Automated Nailing Machines
   Automated nailing machines are restricted to the size of pallets they can assemble. Commons sizes would measure 30 x 30 up to 72 x 72.  Lumber components are fed into a slot where 5-8 boards may be stacked. The machine then places each board as a series of nail guns moves across the pallet connecting each board. The pallet is then flipped over by the machine and the other side is nailed together. The pallet then continues down a conveyor and is placed on an automatic stacker until the operator picks the pallets off the line with a forklift. Many nailing machines can be operated with 2 or 3 person crews that can produce 1000 or more pallets in an eight hour shift. 

 
Which option do you prefer - handheld nail guns or automated nailing machines? Let us know why by commenting below. 

Post by: Jonathan Haynes, Sales Representative