Precision -Cutting Increases Plywood Sales

A fine example of the profits that lie in good merchandising of lumber products is furnished by the BrownDauser Co. of Fullerton, California. Like many yards, they received frequent requests for odd-size pieces of Douglas-fir plywood from home-owners and youthful builders who wanted exact dimensions to fit a particular project. For a time, these sales were accommodated by taking the panels to the small mill run in connection with their building suppy business but as the demand for plywood increased, it was evident that much time was being wasted.

It was then that E. Steffensen, g.eneral manager of the concern, had an ingenious sawing table designed and placed in their plywood stockroom which has both eliminated the time formerly used in carrying panels to the shop and has brought a definite increase in plywood sales.

As pictured here, tl,e unit consists of a portable electric saw mounted on a rigid platform above the table. The saw is clamped to a small block and slides along steel guides, assuring the square and smooth edge that customers want. Extending along one side of the table is a strip to which the panels are squared; the rulings on its inner side permitting rapid and easy measuring.

The saw is fastened to the carriage by set screws and in releasing these, it can be lifted and turned at a 90o angle to act as a rip saw. During this operation, the saw is fastened to the platform by the steel plate at its back, which also acts as a safety guard. Sliding extensions on the table ends allow panels up to l2-ft. in length to be ripped with no difficulty. A further innovation is the counter_ balanced arm which prevents the electric cord from interfering with operations.

Mr. Steffensen reported that after the table had been installed, there rvas a definite gain in their fir plywood sales, even though a charge is made for all dimension cutting. Another profit was found, too, in their scrap-pile, since many pieces that were once thrown away can now be saved to take care of orders for small sizes of exact measurement. "People in our city," he stated, "are learning that we can give them immediate and satisfactory service and it is certainly reflected in our sales increases."