Wood Flooring Yield and Waste Factor How much rough lumber should I order for milling into a given quantity of tongue and groove wood flooring? June 8, 2011
Rough lumber dimensions Understanding basic lumber dimensions and how to calculate board footage. April 20, 2001
-What is a Board Foot? Explanation and glossary of lumber terms by Professor Eugene Wengert. May 2, 2001
Fine-Tuning Log Scale Estimates Log scales are a tried and true standard for estimating board feet. But here's a discussion on improving the accuracy of specific estimates for particular jobs at the bandsaw mill. August 3, 2009
Sawmill recovery rate Does one sawmill's recovery rate make it a better choice over another mill? (From WOODWEB's Sawing and Drying Forum) February 18, 2003
Calculating the weight of lumber Formulas, detailed instructions and species-specific charts from Professor Gene Wengert. May 3, 2001
Log scale and overrun Different types of scales, formulas and methods of figuring overrun. January 28, 2002
Estimating board footage Most accurate and most accepted methods of figuring BF for lumber. December 17, 2002
Calculating longitudinal shrinkage There's no firm factor for calculating longitudinal shrinkage in maple, but here's a place to begin. 1998.
Doyle scale basics A primer for those unfamiliar with the Doyle scale. March 28, 2001
Measuring Logs and Lumber Lumber measurement - Professor Gene Wengert clears up questions regarding proper measurement techniques. May 28, 2001
I've Got that Shrinking Feeling Specific information on lumber shrinkage during the drying process. Includes 'typical shrinkage' tables for red and white oak. 1998.
Wood weight and highway transport How to accurately estimate the weight of a truckload of air-dried lumber to assure compliance with trucking regulations. Includes access info for resources. August 1, 2000
Yield from Small Logs Rough rules of thumb for estimating the expected yield from sawing small logs. March 14, 2006
Choosing a Log Scale A sawmiller harvesting various tree species gets advice on which log scale will give him the most accurate estimates of his inventory. June 20, 2005
Board-Foot Scales Compared Different log scaling systems predict different lumber output because they include different assumptions about waste. October 12, 2007
Log Volume Charts for International 1/4-inch and Scribner log volume. May 4, 2001
Log Scales, Log Size, Kerf Thickness, Lumber Yield, and Profit The estimated yield using one or another log scale may differ from the actual board footage of lumber sawn from a load of logs, for a variety of reasons. Here's a close look at how different scales, different logs, and different saws affect the yield, the price, and the profit. April 20, 2011
Accuracy of Different Log Scales How many chunks in a dang whack? That depends on how you measure it. (And if you're talking beer, we use hogsheads per hectare.) March 10, 2008
Log weight Locating a chart and doing the calculations. September 2, 2002
Ways to Estimate or Calculate Board Feet Rule of thumb gets you pretty close, and even methods involving careful measurement are susceptible to basic arithmetic errors. January 11, 2007
Lumber measurement Demystifying the rules and scales for measuring lumber. July 24, 2001
Gross tally vs. net tally The difference between "gross" and "net" tallies in lumber processing is explained. July 18, 2000
What makes a trailer load? Determining how many board feet of lumber comprise a "trailer load." November 15, 2000
Board-Foot Lumber Measurement Confusion A woodworker tries to figure out how to make sure he's ordering and getting the amount of wood he actually needs. January 20, 2010
Converting log volume scales When sellers and buyers want numbers in different scales, how do you come up with the calculations? July 22, 2003
Log Scale Versus Weight: Estimating Value The board footage (and the grade quality) produced from a ton of logs can vary widely, based on several factors. October 4, 2011
Yield Loss in Ripped-One-Edge Lumber A woodworker who has ordered a delivery of random length and width wood ripped on one edge and surfaced on two sides wants to know how much wood he can really expect to get. April 27, 2007
Optimal Size to Rough Cut for Flooring Start with a uniform finish thickness, then add allowances for planing, drying shrinkage, and cupping. October 26, 2011
Five Points for Efficient Sawmilling