Role of characteristics in in lumber grading

I UMBER grading usLrall) i\ n()t hunderstood bv the averace cl-i-r customcr. lo lrclp hrrrr era.p the trri portance ol purchasing thc correel grade for his protect and the cljtferences in price, a salcspcrsotr Ilr Lr\t be able to explain the reasonin-c behind gradin-s, that grading stan dards arc established Io prrriclc a basi: trrr thc manutact uIC rrlrl Ll.-' r,j Iunrhcr, Cradr" 1-rl \\'c:tt-'rn luntirer. l'()r a \ atttp1... ore tic'tc'rtttineJ br r i.Llii in rpcction and nrc iLrdgc.i prirrrlrnlr ,-n irffc.rr.ill!( Tirlit('r llt:trt .'r.:1.': .T udgrrtg is ba.cd r)n lhc nrilL. llrl chantctc-risticr trl' tfte Lr)c \\ hi.h .11' l\t'.rr irt rt 111..a.rrtJ lt.tr("rn (l'L'- :

September,1982 grade and to visually judge the total effect of them accordine to limita-

Story at a Glance

Visual inspection determines western lumber grades natural characteristics of log considered knots most fre. quent characteristic manufacturing imperfections also a factor.

tions set forth in the grading rules for each grade and species.

Knots are the most frequently encountered characteristic and they are classified by form, size, quality and occurence. It is generally the quality of the knots rather than form, size or occurence that affects the grade. Quality of knots is based on soundness, firmness and tightness. In form, knots are defined as round. oval or spike knots. Round knots are cut at right angles to the limb, oval knots at slightly more than right angles and spike knots are cut lengthwise or diagonally. In occurence, knots may be well spaced, well scattered or clustered.

Defects, imperfections, blemishes or defacing of lumber caused by the rnanufacturing process include torn grain, skips, burns, holes or other rnanufacturing irregularities.

The growth characteristics and manufacturing imperfections illustrated on these pages are reproduced from the new Western Wood Products Association Species Book, Vol. 2, SelectsFinish/Commons-Boards, available for $2 from WWPA, l50O Yeon Bldg., Portland, Or. 972M. Quantity rates are available.

All photos courlcst of tlrc \\

An Idea To Consider

We, members of the housing and shelter industry must take the initiative in creating more affordable mortgage loans. Although corporations are prohibited from having checking accounts at savings and loan institutions, our industry could certainly do more deposits at savings and loans than has been the case'

The price tag for putting deposits into passbook accounts is one of inconvenience and lower return than money market or CD's. That price tag is a very minimum sacrifice for the potential to be gained. We need to financially recognize how importants&lsaretous.

Imagine how much cheaPer mortgage rates could be if every corporation

(manufacturer, wholesaler or retailer) in the whole shelter industr)'had one half of one percent of its assets in a passbook account at savings and loan institutions. 81' unified effort within the industrl', ue can achieve self help for housing.

Philip Dooly' Haywood Builders Suppll' Co. Waynesville, N.C.

Good Exposure

Needless to say, we apprecrate Your publicizing our Hard',rood Institute in your Hardwood Series (August issue, page 39).

\\'e are quite proud of the u ork that the Hardwood Institute is doing as far as consumer a\r'areness and information is concerned and we appreciate )our recognltion oi this program.

S. Carroll White Executive Manager National Harduood

Lumber Association Memphis, Tn.

INFORMA\T MISSI\G

We have either lost, misplaced, had stolen, discarded, or never received our and find it informative, so we want to keep our library complete. Please send us the back issue. Dsle riqht) are John Garten. execulive direct0r, Fl-orida Lumber and Building Materra Dealers Association, Jack Phillips. club pres.: Phil Cocks, vicegerant snark, and Bud Ryan. deputy suPreme 9 member. OLD GROWTH DOUG FIR SPECIALIZING TN TTMBERS 39 YEARS OF QUALITY P.O. Box 27 Riddle, Oregon 97469

April '82 edition of Building Products Digest.

PRODUCTS AND SERVICE Delbert Niebaum, Sales Manager (503) 874-224r