Goes-with-wood alder answers cost dilemma

A TRADE SECRET of many Imajor furniture manufacturers has been discovered by cabinetmakers, custom furniture firms and woodshop workers.

For many years in commercial use, expensive veneers have been mixed with less expensive lumber parts which are carefully stained to match. In many cases the wood may outperform the veneer species in stability as well as serviceability.

Western alder is a preferred wood for such matching as its consistent color and uniform acceptance of stains make it an ideal complement for veneered panels of walnut, cherry, prima vera, mahogany, and other exotic species.

The high cost and scarcity of acceptable lumber parts of many desirable species is due to the fact that the high quality logs are always converted to veneers or sold in ex- port with the resultant grades limited as well as costly. On the other hand, very little of the abundant22 billion board feet of alder in the northwest is converted to veneer. The finest logs generally are manufactured into lumber which is kiln dried and planed on huge abrasive planers. This control assures uniform quality as well as color.

Ready-to-use alder in all grades and thicknesses is immediately available f rom distribution warehouses. Even the knotty

Story at a Glance

Alder popular wood for furniture in woodshop... matches more expensive veneers machines well retains color in storage.

grades, which rival knotty pine and provide more flexibility in finishes, can be obtained, a plus for woodshop applications.

In the last few years, school shop needs have increased substantially and, in some areas of the west, alder is the largest volume wood. Instructors, mindful that they are training students in the proper finishing as well as staining techniques of the professionals, will specify alder for the solid parts where veneer panels are also being used, according to Dave McCullam, v.p. of Northwest Hardwoods, Inc., Portland, Or.

ALDER use is increasing in school woodshops as craftsmanship programs receive empnastzed importance with certificates of merit and scholarships awarded to students demonstrating outstanding ability. Fred Greiff , a senior at Evergre-en High'School, Vancouver, Wa., receiled a slholarsnio [rom First Federal Savings and Loah Association ol Vancouver, Wa., and Northwest Hardwood, Inc., Poriland, 0r.. cosponsors oI an annual awards program for craf tsmanshio.

Part of the popularity of alder for use in schools is due to its excellent machining properties and the fact that stored stock in school district warehouses does not change color as do many other wood species. Alder can be laminated and surface sanding may be all that is needed before finishing.

ThreeWin ResortTrip

Standard Structures, Santa Rosa, Ca., recently staged an incentive promotion for lumber merchants and home center managers focusing on Quick Lam Beams.

Merchants were invited to participate in a drawing for the three expense-paid weekends for two to Carmel and Monterey Bay, Ca. Lucky winners are Rick Heidebrink, Boise Cascade; Bob Davis, Southgate Lumber; and Bob Council, Diablo Building Materials.

Plywood Market Steady

Getting a boost from the home repair and remodeling market purchases, orders for sanded plywood grades were reportedly up l89o through July compared with the same period in 1980.

Other grades of plywood also have benefited from the relatively stable over-the-counter and contractor sales for remodeling this year.

Much of the credit for the home repair and remodeling market being the panel industry's second largest market behind new residential construction is credited to the concentrated promotional efforts of the American Plywood Association over the past several years.

All-Coast Expansion

All-Coast Forest Products, Inc., Chino, Ca., recently completed a $500,000 expansion project, according to Daryl Bond, pres.

An additional seven acres of pavement brings their total paved area to 20 acres. The new timber storage area is now equipped with a specially designed sprinkler system to keep 5;-* timbers moist to prevent splitting and checking. Landscaping and fencing of this additional area also has been completed, according to Bond.

The firm has also improved the transportation department with the addition of two new Freightliner tractors and trailers purchased for $75,000 each. This makes a total of eight such rigs.

More milling facilities will be added soon, Bond says, to provide All Coast with additional milline capabilities.

Charter Policy Holder

Modesto Lumber Co., a 103 year old firm in Modesto, Ca., is believed to be the only charter policy holder of the State Compensation Insurance Fund in the Central Valley and one of about a dozen throughout the state.

With a record that dates back to l9l4 when the state agency was founded, the company, headed by Francis Christensen, pres. and Clarkson B. Bradford, Jr., v.p., received a letter of recognition hand delivered by the agency pres. E.A. Sandberg.

Bradford commented that

The Merchant Magazlne

Modesto Lumber Co. probably bought workmen's compensation insurance from the state because there were no private carriers in the area offering it. "They've done a good job so there's never been any reason to switch carriers," he concluded.

Way to Top Commissions

Little things can make the difference between top and average commissions for salespeople. Follow these eight tips.

(1) Listen for the real underlying meaning, not the obvious.

(2) Try to find out why a buyer says no.

(3) Respect the customer's right to know the disadvantages as well as the advantages of the product.

(4) Cooperate with departments within your company to facilitate service and solve problems.

(5) Demonstrate the product to all potential markets, not just the most accessible.

(6) Invite questions instead of "telling."

(7) Be grateful for orders, especially repeats.

(t) Never expect entertaining, presents, or favors to make sales.

Fremont specializes in a large inventory of high quality Douglas fir boards, dimension, long lengths and timbers shipped frorn select mrlls in Bntish Columbia, Oregon and California. We are constantly adding to our selection o[ western red cedar, pine, herr-rlock and white 6r. Other species and specialty rten.rs are inventoried and included : in our weeklv flver sent to all Frernont customers.

Radiant Heat: What it is and How it Works

With radiant heat receiving emphasis in consumer publications as a viable alternative to traditional heating systems, your sales staff may find more customers seeking information about "that new kind of people heater."

The following information should prepare them to readily field most of the questions. First, radiant heat is not new, but the recently-developed methods of utilizing radiant warmth are. Actually, radiant heating is the oldest, most comfortable form of heating, providing comfort, safety, and economical performance. It can replace traditional baseboard or forced-air heating units when used as panels or provide warmth with free standing portable units.

The key to radiant heating is that it warms people directly. Based upon the principle that infrared energy travels in straight lines from a source until it reaches a solid surface or object, the heat energy, like sunshine, is absorbed by the object and converted to heat, then re-radiated to heat other nearby objects.

For best maximum efficiency, radiant heating panels should be installed on ceilings. Wall or baseboard mounting reportedly may result in energy losses of 30 to 4090 and expose the panel to possible damage. Installation costs are usually low because ductwork, plumbing and boilers are eliminated. Since heat is directed only to specific areas, radiant heating systems are advantageous in regions where heat is used intermittently. Each panel is a selfcontained heating system and one panel per room will generally maintain comfortable temperatures.

When operating over a period of time, radiant heating systems are designed to keep the floor evenly heated. The heated floor may then be compared to a large convector, evenly warming surrounding air masses. Radiant heating panels have held floor-to-ceiling temperature differentials to under 3 o F. in tests and have maintained temperatures throughout the "living zone" with less than I o F. variation.

Field tests have shown that radiant systems often use less energy than conventional heating options. Panels may be operated with simple line voltage thermostats, low voltage thermostat,/contactor combinations, modulating thermostats or remote sensor/energy management control systems.

One manufacturer, TVI Energy Corporation, says that operating cost savings of 15 to 5090 over conventional heating systems are possible because comfortable temperatures may be maintained with substantially lower thermostat settings. Generally, for each degree the thermostat is turned back, savings of up to 3qo in heating bills can be expected.

Radiant heat, which is odorless and dust-free, does not dry out the air. The ideal system is silent and becomes fully operational within a few minutes. In addition to offering energy savings, radiant systems are safe to touch, fire-resistant, and contain no asbestos or hazardous materials.

For almost half a century the W.W. HENRY CO, has produced quality glues, coatings and adhesives for the building and remodeling trade.

With the;ecent addition of the HENRY line to the 8 PGL Wastrington warehouses it is now distributed by all 5 PGL corporate divisions covering the West Coast and Alaska.

So, whether you're located in Sacramento, Portland, Missouia, Anchorage, or points in between you'll find top quality HENRY products at a nearby PG L warehouse.

Tips for D-l-Y Jobs

The do-it-rourself trcnd is strong ;1lll(ltlg -rr,Ltltp al'l'],tclti ltrrlircrr!\ irCi r .r,\i rlr,rlr., ,,i l'.;:',,i. L,1,. ;.,: .l helping hand. The California Redwood Association and red*ood manufacturers have waYs tor You to help themRedwood Construction Tipsheets. You can offer Your customers tips on building decks, planters, even paneling rooms.

Formaldehyde Threat Slight

Phenolic resin-bonded panel Products contribute only negligible amounts of formaldehyde to living spaces, according to Dr. Beat Meyer, University of Washington expert on formaldehyde.

In research conducted on formaldehyde emissions from phenolic resin-bonded plywood, P3rticleboard and waferboard, he found that background levels of formaldehyde in the wood itself was similar to those for the glued panels. In addition, the amount of formaldehyde in the outdoor air in an urban environment was discovered to be higher than potential levels related to the use of phenolic panels selfers purchasc all the rcd*ood crades. Offering them construction help can build roLrr re[)u1ati()rt ai lhc piaec to go ior lr rciidll a5sl5[all!r.

Construction sheets like Punel A Rootrt With Redwood Lumber ofter do-it-1'ourselfers informat ion on design, construction technique and materials. Step-b1 -step insr ructions complete with illustrations, photo- in living areas.

Data on emissions, and an assessment of the potential contribution from these panel products to the levels of formaldehyde in indoor air are documented in a 20-page report available f rom the American Plywood Association, Tacoma, Wa. Non-members of the association may have the report for $5. Also available is an updated report discussing the chemical reasons for low formaldehyde emissions from phenolic resin-bonded panel products. This paper, available without charge, was prepared by Dr. Richard Blomquist, chemical consultant and former scientist at the U.S. Forest Products Lab.

The Merchant Magazine graphs, and rnaterials lists lielp to produce attractive projects atld satisfied customer\. Dealers tlsuallr Itnd thCr .ttr)ll hil\C Knr\\\lctl!citi'ic iJ\itl J : \cl. i\Il{, J:r' :.tri.irttv l"r'r,t' and bigger proJccts.

Construction TiPsheets are available to lumber dealers at bulk rates directly from CRA or through redwood wholesalers. TheY are printed on a glossy stock that makes for easy reproduction and there is space for dealer's imprint.

For a price list of Redwood Construction Tipsheets and other dealer's aids, write: California Redwood Association, Dept. CTS-81, One Lombard St., San Francisco, Ca., 94l l l.

Distributor Expands

Ferrari Distributing Co. has moved to a larger new facility incorporating offices, showroom, and warehouse aI 966 Amelia Ave., San Dimas, Ca.

The firm is the sole distributor in So. Ca. and Hawaii for Maybrik, Pennwood, and Kentucky Wood Floors, according to Mike Ferrari.

Jim Heberlein has joined the trading staff at Gilbert Forest Products, Inc., Lake Oswego, Or., according to John P. Gilbert.

Mary Ann Galliher has joined Quaker Maid as district mgr. for Az., N.M. and Western Tx., according to Robert E. Graul, Western sales mgr.

Gary Titensor is the new branch mgr. for the Georgia-Pacific building materials distribution center, Cheyenne, Wy.

Dick Torrey has joined Fourply, Inc., Grants Pass. Or.

Oliver Adams, quality supervisor; Daniel H. Brown, engineering technology mgr.; Jack Finley, wood scientist; Glenn J. Halme, special service mgr., and E.W. Hoover, senior field rep., all recently qualified for 25 year service awards at the American Plywood Association, Tacoma, Wa.

John Osgood, Robert S. Osgood, Inc., Los Angeles, Ca., has been on an annual High Sierras backpacking jaunt.

Stan Brenton has joined Rivendell Forest Products Ltd., Englewood, Co., at the Denver office.

Ed Jones, former sales mgr. at U.S. Forest Products, Tacoma, Wa., has formed his own company, General Forest Products, Inc., Kent, Wa., assisted by Wayne Techet, sales, and Linda Heath, purchasing.