HARDWOOD LUMBER

CROSS SECTION OF A TREE

GRADING HARDWOODS Hardwood lumber is graded on the basis of the size and # of cuttings which can be obtained from a board. What things might limit the number and size of cuttings? Splits Knots Bark Rot

GRADING HARDWOODS Better grades yield larger proportions of the board in a few large cuttings Lower grades yield smaller proportions of the board in a large number of small cuttings

How Lumber Is Sold Rough S2S (Surfaced two sides) S4S (Surfaced four sides) Rough lumber starts at 1” thick Lumber thickness is expressed in quarters

Lumber Expressed in Quarters Thickne ss RoughSurfacedAWI 1”4/413/16”3/4” 1 1/4”5/41 1/16”1” 11/2”6/41 5/16”1 1/4” 1 3/4”7/41 1/2”1 3/8” 2”8/41 3/4”1 1/2”

Physical Characteristics Of Wood Sapwood – The light colored living wood near the outside of the tree Heartwood – The central part of the tree *An unlimited amount of each allowed in the clear face Stains – Allowed if removable by surfacing Mineral Streaks – Allowed in the clear face

Physical Characteristics Of Wood Sticker Stain – Not permitted Season Checks – Checks in wood not deep enough to be visible in the finished product Burl – A swirl or twist in grain usually near a knot. Allowable as long as it has a sound center

Physical Characteristics of Wood Warp – Any variation of the true plane of the board Types of warps Bow Crook Cup Twist Kink The Dreaded Combo

Physical Characteristics of Wood Boards must be flat enough to be surfaced two sides

Physical Characteristics of Wood Boards must be flat enough to be surfaced two sides

Physical Characteristics of Wood Shake – Lengthwise separation of wood along the growth rings (Not permitted on the clear face) Pith – Spongy core at the center of the tree (Not permitted on the clear face)

Physical Characteristics of Wood Wane – Bark or lack of wood (Not permitted on the clear face) Splits – Lengthwise separations (Not permitted on the clear face) Decay- Also called rot or dote (Not permitted on the clear face)

Grading Hardwood Lumber Standard Grades FAS (Firsts and seconds) FAS 1F (Firsts and seconds one face) #1 common on poor face Selects #1 Common #2 Common #3 common

Grading Hardwood Lumber Yields needed to make grade FAS – 83 1/3% #1Common – 66 2/3% #2 Common – 50% #3 Common – 33 1/3%

Grading Hardwood Lumber How do you determine yield? 1. Determine the species 2. Determine the surface measure (width” x length’)/12 3. Determine the poor side of the board 4. Assign a “trial” grade to the poor face, based on your estimate of clear wood 5. Determine the number of cuttings permitted in the trial grade 6. Determine the clear face cuttings needed (SM x the multiplier for the grade)

Grading Hardwood Lumber 7. Calculate the total area of clear-face cutting units on the poor face 8. If the board does not yield sufficiently, try the next grade down.

Grading Hardwood Lumber Example: Trial Grade FAS 1. Determine Surface Measure (12 x12)/12 = 12

Grading Hardwood Lumber 2. Determine the number of cutting permitted. 12/4 = 3 cuttings 3. Determine the minimum size of cuttings 4”x 5’ 3”x 7’ 4. Determine the clear face cutting units needed. 12 x 10 = 120 units

Grading Hardwood Lumber Cutting #1 6” x 7’ = 42 cutting units Cutting #2 6” x 6 ½ = 39 cutting units Cutting #3 8” x 5’ = 40 cutting units Total 121> 120 ok

Grading Hardwood Lumber Determine SM for board Determine the clear-face cuttings needed Determine the minimum size of cuttings Determine the number of cuttings allowed Calculate the total area of clear-face cutting units Compare answer to cutting needed

How Lumber & Veneer Is Cut ROTARY $ PLAIN SLICE$$ RIFT CUT$$$ QUARTER SAWN$$$$

HOW LUMBER IS CUT

PANEL PRODUCTS

Veneer Grade – Describes the natural and other characteristics allowed in the veneer. Appearance defines grade  Face Grade  Back Grade  Veneer Grade

PANEL PRODUCTS AA GRADE – The best quality face grade for high end use A GRADE – Where AA is not required but excellent appearance is important B GRADE – Where the natural characteristics and appearance of the species are desirable C, D & E GRADES – Provide sound surfaces but allow unlimited color variation

PANEL PRODUCTS BACK GRADES Back grades are designated by numbers:1, 2, 3 & 4 Requirements of grade 1 are the most restrictive, with grades 2, 3 and 4 being progressively less restrictive.

PANEL PRODUCTS VENEER INNER PLY GRADES Four inner ply grades are within the following letter designations : J, K, L & M J is the most restrictive allowing minimal size openings. K, L and M are progressively less restrictive.

HOW VENEER IS CUT

PANEL PRODUCTS MATCHING

PANEL PRODUCTS

MATCHING WITHIN INDIVIDUAL PANEL FACES

PANEL PRODUCTS

OTHER PANEL PRODUCTS INDUSTRIAL PARTICLE BOARD Low Density Medium Density High Density MDF – Medium density fiberboard MELAMINE – High density particle board or mdf with water based resin sheet covering fused with heat, adhesive and pressure POLYESTER –Same as melamine except oil based sheet covering

OTHER PANEL PRODUCTS Core Types  Fir Core  Pine Core  Wheat Core  Soy Core (New)

OTHER PANEL PRODUCTS VINYL PAINTED HARDWOOD MASONITE

OTHER PANEL PRODUCTS THICKNESS 1/4” 3/8” 1/2” 5/8” 3/4” 1”

OTHER PANEL PRODUCTS WIDTH AND LENGTH 4’X8’ 8’X4’ 4’X10’ 4’X12’