Log yield

[OutlawB52]

Is there a general rule of thumb for sawing a 12 " cant out of a log ?  Looking for the minimum diameter .   Yes , I am new.   

[btulloh]

18".  Good rule of thumb is that a log will produce a cant that is 2/3 of the log diameter at the small end (inside the bark).  Crooks and defects can change that, but that's the idea.  (The actual ratio for a perfect cylinder is 0.707)

Welcome to the Forestry Forum.

[GAB]

btulloh is correct, however if you are in need of greater accuracy use the square root of 2 divided by 2.
GAB

[moodnacreek]

The diagonal of a 12x12 is 17" so that is the absolute dia. of a perfect log [min. dia.]. 18" would be better.

[Magicman]

A good quick method is ½ bigger so whatever size square cant that you want, divide by 2 and add it to the cant size. Adding another inch gives you some wiggle room.

[Ron Wenrich]

Here's a link to a calculator we have in our toolbox.  Figures the minimum sized log for any size cant.

Log Size

[OutlawB52]

Thanks Gentleman. More than I could ask for. Time to break out the geometry book and read the chapter on circles. 

[Larry]

A squared + B squared = C squared.  Not that I was particularity good in math, just had to figure out the down guy length for 3 zillion telephone poles in my prior life.

Of course once you learn the secret formula it makes it easy to lay out square houses, sand boxes, and how big of log is required to get your cant.

[PAmizerman]

Welcome!!
And after you've been sawing for a couple years you'll be able to know what you can get from a log just by eying it