phone app

NMFP · April 05, 2014, 07:39:51 AM

Does anyone currently use a phone app that lets you generate a tally of a set of logs? Such as, you need to tally 25 logs of different lengths and diameters to determine total bf volume.

Any ideas or anything you use currently? Looking to do something with my phone instead of buying a complete log tallying system.

thecfarm · April 05, 2014, 08:48:30 AM

Could the FF one be used on a phone? It's up in Extra,than Toolbox.

Tom the Sawyer · April 05, 2014, 08:58:00 AM

"Sawlog Calc Pro"

There is a personal version which is free but the Pro version is only $2.99. It keeps as many logs as you like per tally. Keeps multiple tallies, your choice of International, Scribner or
Doyle scales, also calculates the weights. You can also have the tally sent to you and/or your customer by email. I've been using it for about 6 months and it is extremely handy.

The only thing I have questioned is some of the weights the author used for calculating weights. Most of them are consistent with published 'green' weights per cubic foot but he has walnut at 76 lbs. whereas most other references are around 58 lbs. (you can substitute another wood with a similar weight if the weight is that important).

Try it, it is the best one I have found for this purpose. www.boardcalc.com

sawmillhand · April 05, 2014, 09:09:29 AM

Would be nice if they had one for I phone guess it's back to ole pen and paper :)

redbeard · April 05, 2014, 10:38:17 AM

Handyman Calculator is a free app.

NMFP · April 05, 2014, 06:36:41 PM

Tom... That works great and is exactly what I wanted. I was reading up on how to build an app but since this is available and I can export the tallies, it works wonderful!

Thanks and this is excellent for anyone with a smart phone running android!

ArnoldFarms · April 05, 2014, 10:32:29 PM

There's another good app called "Board Feet" for the IPhone. Check it out. It helps when calc. your board feet, waste, and price.

dboyt · April 08, 2014, 09:36:17 AM

Norwood has a mobile app for both Apple & Android that has a lot of features for calculating board footage & weight of timber & lumber. Here's the link. http://www.norwoodsawmills.com/norwood-mobile-app

terrifictimbersllc · April 08, 2014, 06:45:28 PM

If you have a new i-phone try asking Siri to do it. See what she says!

Dave Shepard · April 08, 2014, 08:22:00 PM

Thanks Tom, I just bought the app. I've been looking for something just like that. The weight for white pine is crazy off, but as long as the board footage is right, then it's just what I'm looking for.

Dave Shepard · April 08, 2014, 08:28:09 PM

I just compared the app to the forum toolbox calculator. Exact match on Doyle and Scribner, about 8% high on Int. 1/4"?

Tom the Sawyer · April 08, 2014, 10:42:11 PM

If you get the Pro version and tap the species list you find a custom list option at the bottom. You can enter species that aren't listed (like hedge) and a weight or duplicate the species with your preferred weight (instead of "Walnut, Black 76 pounds" I entered "Black Walnut 58 pounds") and it will use that weight for the calculations.

Dave Shepard · April 09, 2014, 11:12:44 AM

I'm not too worried about the weight issue, but the Int. 1/4" not matching up to other known tables is bothersome.

Tom the Sawyer · April 09, 2014, 11:59:16 AM

I just checked a dozen different combinations and all were exactly the same as an International 1/4" chart I have been using for years. One difference is the chart I have been using, and the program, both round the numbers to increments of 5 bf. Some calculators, such as the one in the Tool Box, round differently. On smaller logs that can be a considerable difference.

In the user manual there is an explanation of some of the rounding, especially the rounding of weights, which varies with the size of the log. He explains that the weight is a very rough estimate because green log weights can vary widely.

When I have used the program with clients' logs (more than 50 times so far) I tell them the scale bf and explain that we will likely get more due to the narrow kerf of the bandsaw and/or if we mill thicker boards.

International 1/4" is the closest I can find for predicting the yield from clients' logs. It is surprising no one has come up with a Bandsaw Scale. If buying logs I use the Doyle scale.

dboyt · April 10, 2014, 11:07:53 AM

Tom, the International 1/8" scale would come pretty close, though I didn't find any tables, here's a link with the formula: https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/FNR/FNR-191.pdf. It was actually developed before the 1/4"rule.

Calculation of yields for 4/4 lumber is 8 boards cut with 1/8" kerf for every 7 boards cut with 1/4" Kerf. 8/7= 1.14 (14% increase in yield), which is very close to what I have observed at the Sawmill & Woodlot Management magazine Shoot-Outs. The circle blade mills hit the 1/4" rule pretty close to right on. Circle blade sawyers claim that this advantage is lost due to wavy boards. I can't print my reply on this forum.

Tom the Sawyer · April 09, 2018, 10:07:04 PM

For those who use the SawLog Calc Pro app for Android phones, I got an email from the developer this evening.

He has just released a new version with a couple of improvements. One of the changes is that you can tap a previous comment and insert that rather than starting from scratch.

The other improvement (which I think makes it the only app with this feature) is that he added the International 1/8" scale. The International 1/8" Scale is much more accurate for thin kerf bandmills. For example, with the 1/4" scale, a log that measures 24" on the small end and 8' long would scale at 205 bf. On the 1/8" scale it scales at 225 bf.

Tom