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Learn how to quarter saw a log to create uniform boards. Quartered logs are thinner near the core and thicker along the bark edge. The bark must be trimmed to achieve an even thickness of the remaining boards. Once the log has been quartered, plane the remaining boards to produce a uniform thickness. The following are tips for quarter sawing a log. Before you begin, consult a book on woodworking.
Using a kiln to quarter-saw a log
When sawing a log, you have two options: using a plain-sawn technique or using a specialized sawing process. Plain sawn lumber has annual rings running parallel to the flat sides of the board and tangential grain. Kiln-dried lumber is called quarter sawn lumber. Both types of sawn lumber have their own special grain characteristics, but the latter type generally has a higher price.
If you want long, straight grain lines, quarter sawn lumber is a good option. However, quarter sawn lumber also produces narrower boards and can be expensive. It takes a lot of time to produce, and the process results in waste. In addition, this method produces more waste than plain sawn lumber. Therefore, if you’re planning to use quarter sawn lumber, it’s important to understand its advantages and disadvantages before making the decision to purchase it.
Quarter sawn logs generate a lot of waste compared to traditional lumber, but the extra wood chips are used in paper factories and in drying kilns. Kiln-dried logs are also environmentally friendly. While there are some risks when using kiln-dried lumber, it is worth it to make sure your logs are disposed of in the right way.
Before using a kiln to quarter-save a log, it’s important to keep in mind that the lumber will have varying moisture content. Ash logs contain around 45% moisture while Red oak, basswood, and other hardwoods have up to 130% moisture content. Therefore, cutting the log right away will yield green boards. The term “green” will apply until the wood reaches 30% moisture content and fiber saturation.
Rift sawn lumber is more dimensionally stable
There are two basic types of lumber: rift sawn and quarter sawn. Rift sawn lumber is narrower and has a straighter grain than flat sawn wood, making it the most stable choice. Rift sawn lumber is also more expensive, due to the large amount of waste created between each board. Both types are equally sturdy, but rift sawn lumber is preferred for fine furniture and for applications that require straight grain.
Rift sawn lumber is more standardized than quarter or plain-sawn wood. Its narrower grain pattern and fewer flakes make it more dimensionally stable and suited for structural applications. The resulting boards are typically more resistant to warping and shrinkage. Rift-sawn lumber also looks more attractive in the final project, due to its smooth and consistent appearance.
The process of producing quarter sawn lumber produces boards with a more consistent grain pattern. The process is much more expensive than plain sawn lumber, but it yields more uniform boards and has better stability. In addition, quarter-sawn lumber resists cupping, checking, and splitting, and is more dimensionally stable than plain sawn lumber. Rift sawn lumber also has fewer jointed edges.
Plain-sawn lumber is the most common cut of hardwood flooring. This method involves parallel cuts through the log, resulting in wider planks. Moreover, annual growth rings are usually at less than 45 degrees to the face of the board. Plain-sawn lumber is also more economical, as it uses the entire log. However, it has a few structural drawbacks, including cupping and twisting.
Flat sawn lumber produces a linear grain pattern
The most common type of lumber is flat sawn. It is the least expensive and has the greatest yield. This type of cut produces a cathedral-like grain pattern on the face of the board. However, it does not provide the highest dimensional stability. Because the annual growth rings are not parallel to the face of the board, the wood grain will be more likely to twist and cupple. If you are looking for an alternative to cathedral-like grain, you can consider using a different type of lumber.
Flat sawn lumber is also known as live sawn. This type of lumber is sawn through a log. The growth rings are usually 60-90 degrees to the face of the board. Live sawn lumber does not have the same dimensional stability as flat sawn lumber. Live sawn lumber is often sold as an unedged board and is priced all over the table. While quarter sawn lumber is more expensive than flat sawn lumber, it does have a better finish and resists expansion and contraction.
Rift sawn lumber has a straight grain pattern. It is used in applications where straight grain is desired, such as in furniture legs. Rift sawn lumber is more expensive than flat and quarter sawn lumber because the milling process produces a large amount of waste. This type of lumber also produces a more uniform linear grain on both sides of the board. If you are building a new house or remodeling an old one, you might want to consider rift sawn lumber.
Quarter sawn wood also produces a beautiful linear grain pattern. Quarter sawn wood is cut radially, so the growth rings of each board intersect at a 60-90 degree angle. This type of lumber also produces ray flecks, which appear when cuts are made across the wood ray cells. This results in a shimmering flake effect on the surface of the board. These flecks are not common in other types of wood, so if you’re looking for a more uniform grain pattern, quarter sawn wood is a great option.
Quarter-sawn lumber produces ray flecks
When quarter-sawn lumber is cut, the result is a surface pattern characterized by large rays in the wood. In contrast to flatsawn lumber, rays run perpendicular to the length of the log. This ray pattern is only visible on lumber with large rays. These flecks are not a defect but rather a desirable characteristic of fine wood products.
The ray cells in hardwood lumber create an interesting pattern when viewed from the side. This pattern is called a “ray fleck.” Quarter-sawn lumber must have obvious ray flecks to be considered quarter-sawn. Not all lumber is quartersawn, however, and not all lumber will appreciate in value. Here are some benefits of quarter sawn lumber. For example, quarter-sawn oak will not cup or split, and it will hold a finish better and prevent liquids from passing through the wood.
As the name implies, quarter-sawn lumber is cut at an angle of 60 to 90 degrees. This angle allows the annual growth rings to intersect the face of the board. In addition to its attractive linear grain pattern, quarter sawn lumber is characterized by prominent ray flecks. These flecks occur when cuts cross the ray cells, which are perpendicular to the grain. These flecks can make for an attractive surface texture.
Rift-sawn lumber, on the other hand, produces a ray-fleck-free surface. It is a form of rift sawn wood, which is often more popular. It is cut on the outer part of a log and milled perpendicular to the growth rings. The end grain of rift-sawn lumber is approximately 30 to 60 degrees perpendicular to the face of the log. The result is a grain pattern that is nearly perfect and completely free of ray flecks.
Cost of quarter-sawn lumber
If you are building a new home or remodeling an existing one, you’ll probably want to consider the price of quarter-sawn lumber. It costs more than plain sawn lumber because the process of quarter-sawing requires more time and physical labor. This process also creates more waste material than plain sawn, which means that the cost per board foot is higher. Plus, quarter-sawn lumber is limited in supply. In your area, there are probably only a handful of sawmills that produce this lumber.
Quarter-sawn lumber is more expensive than plain-sawn lumber, but you can expect better quality. It’s more stable and won’t twist or cup like plain sawn lumber does. Because the grain is perpendicular to the face of the board, you won’t need to worry about the wood twisting or “cupping” when you install it. If you’re building a new house or remodeling an existing one, quarter-sawn lumber is worth the price.
Unlike plain-sawn lumber, quarter-sawn lumber has a better surface finish. You can easily find the right color for your project. You can also find lumber that is stained and finished with stain. This type of lumber is usually a little more expensive than plain-sawn lumber, but you can easily find some that is stained. Aside from that, quarter-sawn lumber is a good choice for any project where you want to add natural-looking wood.
Rift-quartered lumber is often used for cabinetry, flooring, and millwork. But this method of lumber manufacturing is extremely specialized and requires specialized equipment and training in a lumber mill. Log buyers know how to select logs with larger diameters for quarter sawing. Once these logs are purchased, they are debarked, quarter sawned, and kiln dried. Unlike plain sawn lumber, quarter sawn lumber is slower-drying than plain sawn lumber. For this reason, it costs more than plain sawn lumber.
