1000 board feet, How to determine?

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Does anyone know how to figure out how many board feet are in a log?

Thank You in advance. hillbilly

-- hillbilly (internethillbilly@hotmail.com), April 10, 2001

Answers

I believe a standard board foot is 1'x1'x1". Measure the length of the log in inches and the average diameter. Then figure out the square inches in a 1" section in the middle, multiply by the length in inches and divide by 144.

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), April 10, 2001.

There are a number of scales used to esimate the volume of a log. This is the formula for the international scale, which is the most generous. Not suprisingly, at least around me, most mills prefer other scales that come up with lower estimates. Anyway: Volume = (0.22D squared - .71D) x .905, for a four foot section. For an example, a 16in diameter log 16 feet long has 180 Bd ft. A 12in log 10 feet long has 55. Probably anybody involved with logging in yur area has a copy og whatever scale is used around there. Maybe the chainsaw place?

-- Rod Perrino (redjouster@aol.com), April 10, 2001.

You can buy measuring sticks, that you hold up to the cut end of a log that tells you the number of board feet depending on the length of a log. This is called "scaling". When a load of logs are delivered to a sawmill, the scaler using this stick and measure each log. They determine the largest square log that can be cut from your round log over the entire length of the log. A certain amount will be added to or subtract from that amount depending on the shape of a log. The straighter the log, the better the price. In our area a permium is paid for log over 12 feet. Also remember, that if you are cutting logs to sell or have milled, allways cut the log 4 to 6 inches long. This extra length is so the mill can cut off the ends that are usually damaged or imbedded with stones from being dragged.

-- David in NH (grayfoxfarm@mcttelecom.com), April 10, 2001.

Here is another way to figure out board feet. Subtract 4 inches from the diameter and square the remainder. The result will be the number of board feet in a 16 foot log.

-- Cindy Clarke (rclarke@revelstoke.net), April 10, 2001.

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