48 × 40 block pallet: drawing, specs and parts list
A standard 48 × 40 in block pallet has 7 top deckboards on 3 stringerboards and 9 blocks, with a perimeter base. It stands 5-3/4 in tall, takes 75 nails and 21.92 board feet of lumber, and weighs about 96 lb in mixed hardwood, green. Entry: full 4-way.
Reviewed
- All dimensions in inches, actual size.
- Nails per Uniform Standard Table 5: two per joint on boards up to 5-1/4 in, three up to 7-1/4 in.
- 2.25 in helical nails.
- Top gap 3.250 in, 59% deck coverage.
| 1 | 2 | Top lead board 3/4 × 5-1/2 × 40 |
| 2 | 5 | Top interior board 3/4 × 3-1/2 × 40 |
| 3 | 3 | Stringerboard 3/4 × 5-1/2 × 48 |
| 4 | 9 | Block 5-1/2 × 3-1/2 × 5-1/2 |
| 5 | 2 | Bottom lead board 3/4 × 5-1/2 × 29 |
| 6 | 1 | Bottom centre board 3/4 × 5-1/2 × 29 |
| 7 | 2 | Bottom side board 3/4 × 5-1/2 × 48 |
The engine's standard design for this size, drawn from the same parts list as every number on this page. Your mill's build may differ.
Specifications
| Size (L × W × H) | 48 × 40 × 5.75 in |
|---|---|
| Type | Block |
| Entry | Full 4-way |
| Pallet weight | ≈ 96 lb |
| Top deck | 7 boards, 3/4 in thick |
| Blocks | 9 × 5-1/2 × 5-1/2 × 3-1/2 in |
| Bottom deck | Perimeter, 3/4 in thick |
| Lumber | Mixed hardwood |
| Fasteners | 75 × 2-1/4 in helical |
| Board feet | 21.92 |
| Classification | 48 x 40 in, Block, Double-Face Non-Reversible, Perimeter Base, Full 4-Way, Reusable |
Parts list and cut sizes
| Part | Qty | Cut size, in | Board feet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top lead board | 2 | 3/4 × 5-1/2 × 40 | 2.29 |
| Top interior board | 5 | 3/4 × 3-1/2 × 40 | 3.65 |
| Stringerboard | 3 | 3/4 × 5-1/2 × 48 | 4.13 |
| Block | 9 | 5-1/2 × 3-1/2 × 5-1/2 | 6.62 |
| Bottom lead board | 2 | 3/4 × 5-1/2 × 29 | 1.66 |
| Bottom centre board | 1 | 3/4 × 5-1/2 × 29 | 0.83 |
| Bottom side board | 2 | 3/4 × 5-1/2 × 48 | 2.75 |
| Total | 24 | 21.92 |
Boards are thickness × width × length; stringers and blocks are width × height × length. Actual sizes.
How it's built
The 7 top deckboards (3/4 in thick) are nailed through 3 stringerboards into 9 blocks, 5-1/2 in × 5-1/2 in × 3-1/2 in.
The base is a perimeter frame: bottom boards on all four sides, 3/4 in thick. The openings between the blocks take forklift tines from all four sides (full 4-way entry). Pallet-jack wheels need an opening in the base, so a perimeter base takes jacks from the ends only.
Nails follow the Uniform Standard for Wood Pallets minimum per joint by board width: 48 in the top deck and 27 in the bottom deck, 75 in total, 2-1/4 in helical.
More on this construction: block pallets, deck board spacing and nail schedules.
Weight by species
| Species | Green | Kiln dried |
|---|---|---|
| Mixed hardwood | 96 lb | 64 lb |
| Oak | 115 lb | 85 lb |
| Southern yellow pine | 98 lb | 75 lb |
| SPF | 71 lb | 50 lb |
| Douglas fir | 85 lb | 66 lb |
21.92 board feet × pounds per board foot for the species, nails included. Kiln dried is to 19% moisture; see moisture content.
Questions
- How much does a 48 × 40 block pallet weigh?
- About 96 lb (44 kg) in mixed hardwood, green. The same design ranges from about 50 lb in kiln-dried SPF to 115 lb in green oak.
- How many nails are in a 48 × 40 block pallet?
- 75: 48 in the top deck and 27 in the bottom deck. That's the Uniform Standard minimum: two nails per joint on boards up to 5-1/4 in wide and three on wider boards. See the nail schedule guide.
- How many board feet are in a 48 × 40 block pallet?
- 21.92 board feet, from actual part sizes (thickness × width × length ÷ 144) with notches not deducted. Buy more than that to cover trim and kerf; see board feet.
- How tall is a 48 × 40 block pallet?
- 5-3/4 in overall (146 mm), from the floor to the top of the deck.