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Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

OT - Board feet lumber calculation

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Charles Jackson

01-28-2004 11:42:34




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How do you calculate the boad feet of lumber in
a log? I have an 8ft. log that is 27 inches
diameter at small end. What is the bd. ft. of
it? Thanks for any help




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Tom in TN

01-28-2004 22:08:54




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 Re: OT - Board feet lumber calculation in reply to Charles Jackson, 01-28-2004 11:42:34  

I guess I ain't too hot at ciphering, cause the results that I get from these formulae are vastly different, not just a little bit different. Maybe it's a problem of units. Diameter in inches and length in feet? Etc.

In any event, it's interesting to think about.

Tom



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49 Cubber!

01-28-2004 18:40:13




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 Re: OT - Board feet lumber calculation in reply to Charles Jackson, 01-28-2004 11:42:34  
$2.49 X 20 boards= Lowes!Just a joke!



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Charles Jackson

01-28-2004 13:41:00




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 Re: OT - Board feet lumber calculation in reply to Charles Jackson, 01-28-2004 11:42:34  
Thanks for all your help. I always know more
after consulting this board.



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kyhayman

01-28-2004 13:20:41




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 Re: OT - Board feet lumber calculation in reply to Charles Jackson, 01-28-2004 11:42:34  
There are actually 3 different log rule formulas (Doyle, International, and Scribner). Each gives slightly different results. They vary based on assumptions about kerf width and what you areactually cutting the log into (if you cut into all 1" stuff you will have a lot more waste to sawdust)

Doyle: BDFT=((diameter-4)/4)*length

International (1906) BDFT= ((.022*diameter squared)-(.071*diameter))* (length/4)

Clear as mud :-) Oh, BTW, always measure from the inside of the bark.

Doyle tends to underestimate. Most folks here use it though (better for the mill).

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snitkawl

01-28-2004 16:04:50




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 Re: Re: OT - Board feet lumber calculation in reply to kyhayman, 01-28-2004 13:20:41  
Your formula for Doyle scale is the first I have heard that there is a formula for that scale. My understanding is that Doyle scale is based on yield of 4/4 lumber. I was told that a number of logs of each size were sawn and the yield averaged.
Since grade lumber is sawn thick on account of shrinkage, the yield is lower than it would be if you were to saw the same log into nominal thickness,(TwoXs that are actually 1 3/4")so the logger ends up with less money in his pocket.

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kyhayman

01-28-2004 16:35:18




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 Re: Re: Re: OT - Board feet lumber calculation in reply to snitkawl, 01-28-2004 16:04:50  
There is actually another formula for Doyle which is easier on the eyes BDFT=((D-4)(squared)* L)/16. That is the one UT publishes. Mine came from my class notes (many years ago) at UK.

Credit for it goes to Edward Doyle way back in the 1820's (no I wasnt is school then :-)). It over-estimates stab and kerf based on modern sawing. But it underestimates sawdust.

Guess tonight is my night for trivia. For what it's worth I took a class titled "Theory and Practice of Harvesting Timber Crops" (way back in 1987). Needed 3 hours of a plant science elective and there was this certain young lady signed up for it..... ..... ..

Warmest regards,

David

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bob

01-28-2004 21:42:41




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: OT - Board feet lumber calculati in reply to kyhayman, 01-28-2004 16:35:18  
Well, finish the story. Did you get her?



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Bus Driver

01-28-2004 15:02:43




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 Re: Re: OT - Board feet lumber calculation in reply to kyhayman, 01-28-2004 13:20:41  
Right you are. The phrase is "Doyled out of your logs".



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Shane

01-28-2004 14:18:05




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 Re: Re: OT - Board feet lumber calculation in reply to kyhayman, 01-28-2004 13:20:41  
Sounds like you know your stuff about logs so will ask you; When estimating a Black Walnut log do you still measure right inside the bark or go to the heartwood and measure there, same with Cherry? Just curious.



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kyhayman

01-28-2004 15:29:20




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 Re: Re: Re: OT - Board feet lumber calculation in reply to Shane, 01-28-2004 14:18:05  
For simply calculating board feet you measure it all. There is more than just board feet figured into price. The log buyer also has to rate the log to yield of value of the wood and discounts for suspected defects (knots, etc). For example, the mill spread at one particular mill here on black walnut in May of last year was a low of $.17/bdft International to a high of $1.35/ bdft International. I sold them a whole semi load and 'negotiated' with the grader. Made him a challenge and sold on yield. Came out a grand total of $13.22 to the good and I had to stand there all day (pretty low hourly wage).

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VaTom

01-28-2004 14:45:39




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 Re: Re: Re: OT - Board feet lumber calculation in reply to Shane, 01-28-2004 14:18:05  
Shane,

The sapwood of both walnut and cherry is considered part of the board for grading purposes.



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The search engine

01-28-2004 12:23:24




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 Re: OT - Board feet lumber calculation in reply to Charles Jackson, 01-28-2004 11:42:34  
Did a search for you and came up with this.
Hope this helps. looks like 260 BD FT



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Walter

01-28-2004 11:56:38




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 Re: OT - Board feet lumber calculation in reply to Charles Jackson, 01-28-2004 11:42:34  
I believe you take an inch from the small end and multiply by the length 26X8 = 208 board feet.



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