palletdesign.ai

Glossary

Chamfer

Also called: bevel, jack chamfer, chamfered board

Reviewed

Definition

A chamfer is a bevel cut along the edge of a bottom deckboard so pallet-jack wheels can roll up and over the board instead of striking it. The Uniform Standard calls for a 35 to 45 degree bevel at least 12 in long that stays out of the nail connections.

How chamfers are specified

Parameter Uniform Standard (2012) Example
Angle 35 to 45 degrees
Length at least 12 in 16.69 in (PDS stringer example)
Position 1/4 in (plus or minus 1/8 in) from the bottom of the board
Connections must not extend into the nailed joints
Depth set by design 5/16 in (0.313 in)

PDS records a chamfer style ("Stop" chamfers run only between the supports), a depth, a location and a length. Chamfers go on the bottom lead boards, on both outside faces, and on interior edges next to wheel openings. EPAL Euro pallets also chamfer their bottom boards.

Why chamfers matter

A pallet jack lowers its wheels behind the bottom lead board. Without a chamfer, the wheels hit the square board edge on entry and exit, which splits boards and makes the jack hard to push. palletdesign.ai flags an unchamfered stringer pallet with a bottom deck as a pallet-jack fit issue. See pallet jack compatibility.

Questions

Which pallet boards are chamfered?
The bottom lead boards, on their outside faces, and any interior bottom boards that border a pallet-jack wheel opening.
Do I need chamfers if I only use forklifts?
Not strictly, but most buyers specify them because pallet jacks show up at some point in the supply chain.

Sources