Hardwood Shopper
A guide to wood, its uses, grades, and board feet. Buying wood can be just as much fun as working it, if you're informed. The basics here will get you started.
- • Understanding hardwood grades
- • Easy board foot calculation
Understanding hardwood grades
Buying wood can be just as much fun as working it, if you're informed. The basics here will get you started.
Understanding hardwood grades No two hardwood boards look alike. That's why each hardwood board is assigned a grade at the mill by a lumber grader. Each grade, right, is based on a percentage of yield in clear face cuttings as seen from the clearest side of the board.
| GRADING TERMS | |
|---|---|
| GRADE | CHARACTERISTICS |
| FAS (First and seconds) | The best grade. Boards 6" and wider, 8' and longer. Almost clear. Yields 83-2/3 percent clear face cuttings 4" or woder by 5' or longer and 3" or wider by 7' or longer. |
| Selects | Boards 4" and wider, 6y' and longer. One side is FAS, the other is No. 1 Common. Yields 83-2/3 percent clear face cuttings. |
| No. 1 Common | Boards are 3" and wider, 4' and longer. Yields 66-2/3 percent clear face cuttings 4" or wider by 2' or longer and 3" or wider by 3' or longer. |
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