1. What is a Board Foot Per Log Calculator?

Definition: This calculator estimates the board feet of lumber that can be obtained from a log based on its diameter, length, waste factor, and scale factor.

Purpose: It helps lumber professionals and woodworkers determine how much usable lumber can be obtained from raw logs.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( BF \) — Board feet (volume of lumber)
• \( D \) — Log diameter (inches)
• \( L \) — Log length (feet)
• \( Waste \) — Waste factor (unitless)
• \( Scale \) — Scale factor (unitless, typically 12)

Explanation: The log diameter squared multiplied by length gives the raw volume, which is adjusted for waste and then divided by the scale factor to get board feet.

3. Importance of Board Foot Calculation

Details: Accurate board foot estimation helps in pricing logs, planning lumber yields, and managing wood resources efficiently.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the log diameter in inches, length in feet, waste factor (default 0.1), and scale factor (default 12). All values must be > 0 except waste which can be 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a board foot?
A: A board foot is a volume measurement of lumber equal to 1 foot × 1 foot × 1 inch (or equivalent).

Q2: Why do we square the diameter?
A: Squaring the diameter approximates the cross-sectional area of the log, which is proportional to the lumber yield.

Q3: What's a typical scale factor?
A: The Doyle scale uses 12, but other scales like Scribner or International may use different factors.

Q4: How do I determine the waste factor?
A: Waste depends on sawing method - typically 0.1-0.3 for band saws, higher for circular saws.

Q5: Does this account for taper in logs?
A: No, for tapered logs use the average diameter or measure at both ends and calculate separately.