New to site! Most Effective board feet question

[burkestaheli]

Hello Folks!
    i just purchased a Woodlander XL from Woodland Mills.  i live in southern Utah. Just milled my first two logs today.  So dang much fun i can't sleep.
    Question.  Is there a mathematical equation that helps you figure the best use of the log. (for example, measure width and height, determine center, etc.  I figure there has to be a formula that makes sense (assuming the log is fairly round and consistent in size)
    Appreciate any help and looking forward to learning from all of you!

Burke Staheli

[BargeMonkey]

 It really depends "what" your trying to saw. I know on the big mills the computer can give you suggestions but your talking apples / oranges as far as mills. We have a bigger Timberharvester mill and saw a fair amount of hardwood and softwood. After a while you will get used to rough diameter and what you should saw, if I'm looking for 1x12" a 14" log on the small end is pushing it, you follow me ? Side lumber is a bonus and you will learn how to resaw it. Do you have set works and a laser / mudsaw on your mill ?  We have laminated sheets by our mill hanging on the wall, all set up for the mill scale showing 1/2-1"-1.5"-2" which is very handy. 
 Always saw from the small end, keep both ends with a clean fresh face even in softwood because they will pitch over. 

[doc henderson]

Most logs are not really round.  You can look and sometimes visualize a square in the heart wood and I use this to set up my cant.  In ERC, there can be bark inclusions with the lobulation and you may orient these so you minimize lumber with defect from that.  You will get better over time as you start to see the whole process in advance, and some will even scratch our a plan with crayon or marker.  You may have a plan but under estimate the taper or curve in a log.  BF can be estimated in a log, but you may get more or less.  This is all part of the fun!
ps welcome to the forum and congrats on the new mill and adventure.

[thecfarm]

burkestaheli,welcome to the forum.
What's the plan for the lumber?
You will need something to turn those logs. A cantdog or a pevey will do it. Logrite,sponsor on the left, will help you out. Nice people,I just saw them at a show.
Where's the logs coming from?