Has anyone taken this "short-course" or similar? This one is an online course from the SPIB (Southern Pine Inspection Bureau).
Southern Pine Short Course | SPIB | Southern Pine Inspection Bureau (https://www.spib.org/wood-services/elearning-sp-short)
They offer 3 e-learning courses (Southern Pine, Western Species, and Canadian Species).....and they offer the same 3 in a "short-course".
I'd like to know if others have taken these courses and your thoughts on the course.
Thanks!
I would think that the course would be for someone wanting to become a lumber grader for a sawmill, etc. Sawmills have the stamp, not individuals. Completing the course would not necessarily earn a stamp and qualify you to grade and stamp lumber.
just looking to take a course or two for some general knowledge....not become a grader. Plan to take a Harwood lumber grading course and hopefully find a course like this one at the SPIB. Wanting a better understanding and hopefully become a better sawyer!
:P That is the correct reason and answer. 8)
I am currently taking the NHLA grading course(progressive course, 2 weeks in memphis, online portion and then 3 weeks back in memphis) for becoming a grader at work, in the online portion now. Just learning the basics of grading will help tremendously when it comes to sawing and improving your quality. Knowing where to trim can make a huge difference in value. Example, at work i have been grading packs of lumber, then our other graders check it when they run it through equipment. School rules are to buy lumber as it is, not trim it. However the company i work for will trim lumber and buy it as the grade after being trimmed. In ONE pack of 10' red oak, it accounted for a $300 difference between my grade(not trimming) and our graders. As a sawyer that adds up quick if your buyer buys it as is. So it is extremely valuable for every sawyer to know how to grade and know the rules for grading. If you can I would highly suggest taking at least a short course and really get to know the rules. And if you can afford the full course, i would recommend that.
Understand that NHLA is grading for appearance and yield, dimensional lumber grading is about assigning strength grades, they do not interchange or overlap at all.
I haven't taken an online course, I did the course at TP Inspections in Conyers, GA based on SPIB grading rules and thought it was quite worthwhile. A quick scroll down the syllabus it looks like the same material. In a class room you get to interrupt, ask questions, etc but this is cheaper than class and travel/lodging.
I'd start with a review of the National Grade Rule, the textbook they are teaching;
http://secure.itswebs.com/nawla/Level_II_Jeopardy/story_content/external_files/National_Grading_Rules.pdf (http://secure.itswebs.com/nawla/Level_II_Jeopardy/story_content/external_files/National_Grading_Rules.pdf)
http://nlga.org/en/publications-for-download/ (http://nlga.org/en/publications-for-download/)