Why Is Rough Sawn Lumber Cut In Such Long Lengths?

Once you cut it short, there is no going back.

-- I'll be a woodworker when I grow up. HHHOPKS

It’s also sometimes easier to match grain if you have longer pieces to start out with. I guess it all depends on what your building but I’m sure there is a better answer.

Lot of logs are Loooooooooonggggggg! < BIG GRIN >

It’s more efficient and productive to cut longer logs. Many mills don’t have the capability of easily clamping smaller (ie shorter) logs.

Herb

-- Herb, Florida - Here's why I close most messages with "Be Careful!" http://lumberjocks.com/HerbC/blog/17090

because if you have to cut 48” off a 55” length, you leave an (almost worthless) small piece left. But If you cut it off a 120” length, you have 72” left – just enough for that table top you are planning to make next.

In other words, the lumber store does not want to risk cutting it too short for the sale, so they leave it as long as possible and cut it at the time of the sale if necessary.

I almost always select longer lengths and then have the shop cut off a piece in a length I need for my project For example, I have them cut 36” off a 108” piece, when I need three 36” lengths. If every piece was 60” or less, I would have to waste a lot of length for those three 35” pieces. (108” will not fit in my car – my max length is 75”). I know my wood matches then too.

TL:DNR: less wasted wood if the pieces are left as long as possible

-- Kay - Just a girl who loves wood.

Rough lumber has checks and cracks at the ends.
10ft. is an economical length when setting up mills.(Dropping the blade 5/4 is a pain if you only move the head 4 feet.)

-- "My mission in life - make everyone smile !"

I actually asked at the hardwood dealer I go to. The lumber mill I frequent actually cuts to 6-8’ lengths. He charges .25/bf more for lengths over 8’ because apparently they are as big of a PITA to him as to you and I.

The hardwood dealer’s explanation was good. When you by lumber you buy by the board foot. It doesn’t matter how long or wide the board is. Since most people laminate table tops and wide pieces anyway, it’s realistic that you can get an entire project out of the same 14’ board (and I have)

He will cut to my specified length at no extra charge. I generally have the 14’ers cut in half. Like you I generally deal in 48” lengths max, mostly 36” or less, so that leaves me enough room to chop off the checked ends/planer snipe and still have enough material to work with.

-- http://www.etsy.com/shop/KandJWoodCrafts

That is usually the way it comes from the mill

-- TheOldTimer,Chandler Arizona

Thanks for the explanations and replies. I suspected that efficiency from the mills may have something to do with it.

-- Happiness is like wetting your pants...everyone can see it, but only you can feel the warmth....

“I suspected that efficiency from the mills may have something to do with it.”

I think you need to back up on the process. Trees are cut at a certain size (length), then the logs are loaded on trucks that are a certain length by loaders that have a finite weight capacity. I don’t know the answer to the question, but I suspect that the sweet economic spot is someplace between 12’ and 16’ in length. Furthermore, while this may or may not be the case today, it may have been true when the industry was developing and established businesses are reluctant to retool to today’s possibilities.

-- Art

Can you imagine the waste factor if all wood was cut to 6 feet ? How would we make doors , for instance ? : )
I would much rather have wood from the same tree to complete a project with , versus trying to match up grain and color from different boards , especially in the rough : )

-- When did quiet and quite become the same word ? I'm guessing about the same time as your and you're did.

It has to do with grading the lumber. Boards that are less than 8’ do not qualify for FAS (Firsts and Seconds the highest grade). We’ve sold some beautiful cherry that was only 6’. We got a fantastic deal on it because it couldn’t be graded.

-- "I think that if I did not work with wood, my life would be a hollow emptiness." Jonas Wainwright

It is because of efficiency and handling. If you are sawing, then time is money. Sticker Stacking a 10’ board is twice as fast as sticker stacking two 5’ boards. Also, if you are sawing a 10’ log versus a 8’ log, once the log is on the mill, it takes a little more time to cut the boards off the 10’ cant versus the 8’ cant, but you get 25% more BF produced. It takes 5% more time to saw and you get a 25% boost in BF production, so you get a net 20% boost.

The big mills really focus on efficiency as the wholesale lumber business is a dog-eat-dog commodity business. Even us little guys try to be efficient. I like 10’ because that gives the user a lot of flexibility. 8’ is easier to handle. Also, the longer the log, the lower the yield because of taper in the log.

Good question. There is a whole Science around this question.

-- Wood-Mizer LT15

WDHLT15, I was wondering about that.
Here, They have 4/4 Maple in 16ft lengths…. If I ever go there, I’ll ask them to crosscut it for me…

-- My terrible signature...

Pockets Full is dead on…

Here is one example of grading standards.

Note that minimum widths and lengths for specific grades vary by species… Top grades include minimum “clear cuttings” of stated lengths and widths. To include the proper clear areas for grade, the board often needs to be larger than the minimum overall size.

As far as sized to typical uses, remember that a good amount of hardwood ends up as trim and molding, not furniture, so 12-16’ lengths are necessary. You can always shorten a board.

-- It's all good, if it's wood...

Loading up flat bed trailers, 3 bunks of 16’ on a typicial 48’ flat bed and now there are the 53’ and if special order you can get 18 footers. Very seldom do I ever get a full 16’ due to end checks.

-- What we do in life will Echo through Eternity........