The Forestry Forum

General Forestry => Sawmills and Milling => Topic started by: Tree Feller on April 28, 2012, 08:17:15 AM

Title: Buying Logs
Post by: Tree Feller on April 28, 2012, 08:17:15 AM
I'm thinking of buying some ERC logs to saw into B&B siding for  own use. When scaling logs, do you physically measure the small end of each one, estimate the diameter or accept the logger's estimate?

I've never bought logs before so any info on the process is appreciated.
Title: Re: Buying Logs
Post by: Cedarman on April 28, 2012, 08:31:13 AM
We measure cedar by weight or by scaling using the ERC scale.  It doesn't take long to scale a bunch of logs.  Common practice is to measure with tape end on out side bark measuring to inside bark along the narrow way. We make allowance for oval and mishapen logs.  If logs show rot at either end we pay a heavily discounted price, usually 17 1/2 cents per foot on the cedar scale.
I have made a practice of marking the diameter on the log.  If there are questions, you can show what you measured and why you called it.  We are rarely questioned, but when we show how we measured. There is usally some give and take with cedar as the logs are irregular.
Title: Re: Buying Logs
Post by: bama20a on April 28, 2012, 09:01:44 AM
Hey Cedarman: Can you explain the ERC scale,I'm new to all this & Like TF,I've never bought any Cedar.
Where to you find the scale.Mark,,,,,
Title: Re: Buying Logs
Post by: Ron Wenrich on April 28, 2012, 09:04:20 AM
https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,41332.0.html

Here's what Cedarman wrote in that post from Jan, 2010:

For 8' lengths the cedar scale used in most of central US is:
4"   4'
5"   7'
6"   11'
7"   14 or 15' depending on who made the scale
8"   19'
9"    24'
10"  30'
11"  36'
12"  43'
13"  50'
14"  58'
15"  67'
16"  76'
17" and up use Doyle scale
Title: Re: Buying Logs
Post by: bama20a on April 28, 2012, 09:15:43 AM
Thank you Ron for finding that,But for a big dummy like Me I don't have a clue how to read it :'(,Can you help explain it.Thanks Mark,,,,,
Title: Re: Buying Logs
Post by: bama20a on April 28, 2012, 09:17:46 AM
Sorry Ron. I took another swallow of Coffee & now I can read it :D,Mark,,,,,,
Title: Re: Buying Logs
Post by: Tree Feller on April 28, 2012, 04:49:16 PM
Thanks, Cedarman and Ron.
Title: Re: Buying Logs
Post by: Ironwood on April 28, 2012, 05:34:30 PM
Took me a minute two and YES a gulp of coffee, it is 45 degrees and a little chilly.

Ironwood
Title: Re: Buying Logs
Post by: shelbycharger400 on April 28, 2012, 06:56:14 PM
 :P

for future checkin .
never knew that their is that many scale formulas
Title: Re: Buying logs
Post by: Sawmiller1960 on May 16, 2017, 10:24:37 AM
For the person wondering about cedar scale. If you do not have the scale written down this is the formula used to develop the scale.

Diameter squared x length divided by 27

Example: 12" x 16' log:  12x12=144x16=2304 divided by 27=85BF
               14" x 12' log:  14x14=196x12=2352 divided by 27= 87BF

Doyle scale on small logs is extremely in error and low. The two scales cross around 18" diameter.
We use cedar scale for ALL cedar logs. That is the only truly fair way to scale cedar. In reality the logger or land owner gain because most eastern red cedar is smaller than 18" diameter.
Title: Re: Buying Logs
Post by: DanMc on May 16, 2017, 02:22:50 PM
Here's a spreadsheet put together using the formula from Sawmiller.  Hopefully it will be attached to this post....  I tried adding it as a photo, but the resolution wasn't good enough to read it.

Enjoy!
Title: Re: Buying Logs
Post by: nativewolf on May 16, 2017, 02:54:30 PM
Quote from: Tree Feller on April 28, 2012, 04:49:16 PM
Thanks, Cedarman and Ron.
Second that.  Great info
Title: Re: Buying Logs
Post by: campwags on May 18, 2017, 12:04:28 PM
Thanks for the spreadsheet DanMc.  Saved it and will use it I am sure.   ;D