sawyer/ lumber grader

grade sawyer · March 30, 2006, 04:12:03 PM

wondering how much a lumber grader w/ 8 years should earn a year,and does it matter if he has 3 years experience as a sawyer?

beenthere · March 30, 2006, 05:46:52 PM

Depends on what value to the employer the grader is, I'd think.

What is behind the question that we need to know?

Are you the grader, or the employer of the grader?

Welcome to the forum.

Kirk_Allen · March 30, 2006, 06:51:18 PM

I guess that depends on if the grader earned that title from 14 weeks of school at NAHL. I know a few folks, one professional tooth doc in particular, that claimed to be a grader but had never put foot one in a class from NAHL.

Not to say a person cant learn to grade by working with a trianed grader but I would think bonafied credentials would play a big role if I was doing the hiring.

Sawyer experince may come into play but more questions have to be asked. What kind of experince. Hobby sawyer, custom cutting, daily operation or weekend warrior?

As far as what to earn a year goes, I wont touch that one with a stick. WAY to many vaiables.

grade sawyer · March 31, 2006, 08:17:30 PM

sorry should've been clearer. I'm a grader looking for new employment. As I am dissatisfied w/ my salary. I have no formal training(NHLA), only OJT.I have gaded on average 16000 bft. of hardwood a day for 8 yrs. I know hardwood .As far as the sawyer thing goes, I worked 3 years 8 hrs. a day my best day being 20000 bft of h. maple on double cut bandsaw ,no resaw only bull edger. I feel I know northern hardwoods as good as anyone I got to be worth something!

WH_Conley · March 31, 2006, 09:48:09 PM

" I got to be worth something"

If you can make the employer money then you are worth something.

DanG · March 31, 2006, 11:50:22 PM

Welcome, Grade Sawyer. I would think it would be worth your while to go ahead and take a NHLA course to get the credentials. It sure couldn't hurt your case when you go job shopping. ;)

Ron Wenrich · April 01, 2006, 05:58:31 AM

You could get a subscription to Northern Logger. There are job aps in there for lumber graders most of the time. You could also place an ad.

Other options are to set up your own grading service. Travel to mills and grade for them. There are a few guys who do this. With grading experience, you could also be a lumber buyer. I have seen some lumber buyers who didn't know enough about wood or mill operations to be very effective.

grade sawyer · April 01, 2006, 06:25:55 AM

Quote from: Ron Wenrich on April 01, 2006, 05:58:31 AM
You could get a subscription to Northern Logger. There are job aps in there for lumber graders most of the time. You could also place an ad.

Other options are to set up your own grading service. Travel to mills and grade for them. There are a few guys who do this. With grading experience, you could also be a lumber buyer. I have seen some lumber buyers who didn't know enough about wood or mill operations to be very effective.
SEEN ADS IN NOTHERN LOGGER,TRYING TO GET TO APPLACHIA THOUGH. I KNOW SEVERAL FELLAS THAT WENT TO SCHOOL(NHLA)I AM NOT IMPRESSED W/ THERE SPEED OR ACCURACY UNDER PRESSURE.

Tom · April 01, 2006, 06:53:06 AM

I don't think that Ron is suggesting that NHLA will speed you up. He is talking about credentials. Whether we like it or not, being able to do a job isn't always worth beans when job hunting. It's the credentials that does the selling. That is what opens doors, whether it comes from a college, University, high-school, technical school or occupational school.

You have nothing to sell but the good word of your previous employer.

beenthere · April 01, 2006, 10:41:54 AM

grade-sawyer
You bring up the question of 'speed and accuracy under pressure' .

How does one determine what the accuracy of a grader is? Seems like an important but difficult outcome to find out. How have you been 'graded' for accuracy as a grader? Please, no offense, but this inquiring mind wants to know.

Speed is more easily determined. If lumber is sold under the NHLA rules, isn't there some backing of the association to cover the accuracy of the grade within 5%? Without a certificate, how do you fit into that scheme of things?

inspectorwoody · April 01, 2006, 02:23:37 PM

Welcome to the forum Grade Sawyer...

Speed is not a factor when it comes to grading....being on grade is. 80% on grade...4% money value. Also I would advise that you attend the NHLA 14 week school. I roomed with a guy that had graded for 6 years before coming to the NHLA and he was good...boy was he good and I'm not doubting that you are either but he is now the instructor of the NHLA course in Virgina and I strongly feel if it wasn't for the nice little piece of paper and the reputation he left in Memphis, he wouldn't be where he is today.

I have been grading green hardwood lumber for 4+ years....I know hardwoods too but I have a lot to learn and I feel I am good too. I'm looking at 30+mbf a day!

Grade Sawyer...send me a pm...we can chat about this...

Thanks

Gadget

Tom · April 01, 2006, 05:59:53 PM

Thanks Inspector!

I wish I could be a fly on the wall.

If this doesn't turn out to be too personal, would y'all come back and clue us in as to what was discussed and what the decisions were?

Good Luck to you both.

inspectorwoody · April 01, 2006, 06:07:06 PM

Tom

Well I sure will!

grade sawyer · April 02, 2006, 08:35:17 AM

SORRY INSPECTOR WOODY WHATS A PM ? like to talk to ya and thanks for the advice

Tom · April 02, 2006, 08:50:52 AM

He's speaking of the Instant Message system at the top of the page where it says "Hey grade sawyer you have 3 messages, 3 are new. " or how ever many messages you've been sent. Some call it Private Message system (PM) because you are the only one who can read what is in it.

It's like your own private forum email system and the neatest thing for contacting forum members since sliced bread.

Just click on "message" and you will be taken to them.

You have to maintain your system yourself though, by deleting unwanted messages and keeping the total minimal. You may click on outbox to see what you have written. These accumulate also and must be deleted.