Lumber Calculator

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

I know I can use the tool box on this site to calculate lumber. My question is, is there a hand held forestry calculator one can purchase to keep in your pocket? Thanks.

[Magicman]

Here is what I use.  The one on the left stays in my invoice book and is my "Go To".  The other is a pocket job that has the Doyle Log scale on the back side.

Of course, this isn't a "Tool Box" calculator that is cram packed with goodies like Jeff's.

[Jeff]

If you have a smart phone, and can get on line with it, the calculators here still work. At least they do on mine.

[red oaks lumber]

a $5 pocket calculater works just fine. you can use it to figure out the bill at the end of the job.

[fishpharmer]

If you have a smart phone, and can get on line with it, the calculators here still work. At least they do on mine.

mine too.

[Bandmill Bandit]

LumberCalc

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id330805157?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D6

I think it is available for other smart phones besides I phone (if there are any "other" smart phones)

I love it. It is quick and calcs thing that i never thought of calculating

[SwampDonkey]

Then there is always the Forestry Forum pocket sized Whackulator. No batteries and cell phone signals required. :D :D

[Magicman]

At first I thought that it was a joke and then I saw the Forestry Forum logo.   ;)   

[Jeff]

They do exist. 

[SwampDonkey]

Yup, and what you don't see is, within that sleeve contains a whole bunch of log rules and a lumber scale to.  8)

[Brad_S.]

There is an electronic handheld calculator that does figure boardfeet. It is made for contractors and figures roof pitches, cubic yards, square yards, does conversions, etc. but it costs ~$60.  A little practice with a regular $5 calculator and you will be able to figure out bdft. very quickly.
Of course they make lumber sticks for measuring too but I found them a PITA to use.

Edit: here is a link to an example.
http://www.amazon.com/Calculated-Industries-4050-Construction-Calculator/dp/B0008GO6A6/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1296258215&sr=8-5

[Larry]

When I first bought my sawmill I performed board foot calculations with a calculator.  Inches X inches X inches divided by 144.  Bit later I refined it by inches X inches X feet divided by 12.

Along the line I attended the NHLA grading course where they forced us to do calculations with the calculator between our ears.  That worked pretty good and I never had a dead battery.  Somewhere I discovered they also had lumber tally sticks that also work well.

I was just pretty cocky being able to do all that higher math in my head and all.  Met this old sawyer in Prarrie Grove Arkansas that didn't even need a tape to measure with.  Calculated all in his head and could keep a running total.  I'll never even get close to his skill level.

Try doing the math in your head for a bit and it comes along pretty easy along with saving money on batteries.