Shaft Dowels
- Thread starter ScottR
- Start date
your drawing oversimplifies things,,,I don't think growth rings in any tree/log are evenly spaced,,,the outer rings will have larger spaces between the rings,,,IMHO
I'm sure you may get a lot of different takes on this, again,,,,maybe the "flames" won't get too high,,,LOL..........
I'm sure you may get a lot of different takes on this, again,,,,maybe the "flames" won't get too high,,,LOL..........
A
Arnot Wadsworth
Guest
You are absolutely correct that "if all logs were the same diameter at both ends" there would be no difference in the material produced by either flat sawing or quarter-sawing. Because there is always a small end to a log you get a crossing of the growth rings in two directions by flat sawing. By making the first cut down the center of the log as is done only in quarter sawing you eliminate the crossing of the growth rings. You must use some visualization and understand basic sawmill operations to fully understand quarter-sawing logs. Most mills are mostly concerned by making production goals. Flat sawing is the only way to make money in the sawmill business.
When they cut lumber, do they take into account its final intended use? If not, what is the normal length they cut the boards? If they cut them into 36" length, wouldn't that get around the grain runout problem (for the most part)? If they are cut longer, can't you cut the longer pieces into 30"-36" lengths without runout to get around it?
Don't flame me if I'm over-simplifying things.
Don't flame me if I'm over-simplifying things.
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paul fanelli
Registered
shaft dowels
Mills cut boards as long as possible, they are then cut to shorter lengths as defects are cut out. Quarter sawing maple produces flat boards with any grain runout occuring across the board. A board cut like this can be cut into shaft squares by slicing off pieces with the grain lined up parallel with the cut. The grain lines run straight top to bottom across the square, and also front to back of the square, because it was quartersawn. To get a straight grained shaft square from other methods of cutting would require a thicker board to start with, and it would have to be cut on all 4 sides to get a straight blank. More work, less yield. It can be done, but quartersawing produces the most quality blanks.
paul
Mills cut boards as long as possible, they are then cut to shorter lengths as defects are cut out. Quarter sawing maple produces flat boards with any grain runout occuring across the board. A board cut like this can be cut into shaft squares by slicing off pieces with the grain lined up parallel with the cut. The grain lines run straight top to bottom across the square, and also front to back of the square, because it was quartersawn. To get a straight grained shaft square from other methods of cutting would require a thicker board to start with, and it would have to be cut on all 4 sides to get a straight blank. More work, less yield. It can be done, but quartersawing produces the most quality blanks.
paul
A
Arnot Wadsworth
Guest
paul fanelli said:
Mills cut boards to fill their orders. Boards are NOT cut to elimimate defects. They are sold by grade because to remove defects is too costly.
You have apparently decided to keep asking the same question over and over until someone gives you the answer you want. Keep it up and some day someone who does not know what they are talking about or has some other motive such as selling you flat sawn boards will answer the question the way you want. Until them you will never get the same shaft from a flat sawn board that you will get from a quarter-sawn boad but flat sawn boards are much cheaper then quarter-sawn stock.
You have the option of buying the best material to start with and giving your customer the best shaft for HIS money or ...............
When quarter sawing do they wedge the small end of the log over to assure the blade is running right down the middle? I have never asked my mill guy and am just curious.Arnot Wadsworth said:
Chris
www.hightowercues.com
A
Arnot Wadsworth
Guest
cueman said:
The "Dogs" on the carriage are offset to put the log on the center line so as to allow ripping down the center. After the log in split into two halves, one half is removed and the remaining half is offset as was the whole log and it is ripped down the center. The remaining half is replaced on to the carriage and offset as were the previous pieces and it is ripped down the center. Now you have four pieces of a log that look from the end view like a 1/4 pie. The flats are placed against the head blocks and down and one inch boards are cut. There is no longer any run out across the growth rings because there is none.These pieces are then cut into approximately 32 inch lengths, stacked on sticks and kiln dried.
Reminds me of the days I spent as a head sawyer on a carriage mill. I like cuemaking much better.
