Mastering Fundamentals in Challenging Markets

In today’s rapidly changing hardwood markets, businesses face numerous challenges: tariffs, rising freight costs, higher log prices, and unpredictable weather. These factors can have a significant impact on profitability, making it harder for sawmills and drying operations to stay competitive.

But there is a solution. Through the NHLA’s grant-supported Yield Analysis and Quality Control programs, we’ve helped many sawmills and drying facilities recover lost revenue. These programs identify inefficiencies, highlight areas for improvement, and provide practical solutions, helping struggling businesses get back on track.

Think of it like golf; sometimes, when your game is off, you just need to return to the fundamentals. A good swing starts with proper form, and the same is true for lumber production. By focusing on the basics of grading and quality control, many businesses have rediscovered their path to success.

UNDERSTANDING WANE LIMITATIONS:
FAS, F1F, AND SELECTS

The 2023 Rules Book on page 14, paragraph 57 under FAS, states:

“Wane shall not exceed on either edge of the piece over one-half the length in the aggregate.”

This simply states that wane is allowed to add up to half the length of the board on both edges, but the board must still yield the needed Cutting Units, and all other limitations must be considered. I find it easier to measure the amount of square edge wood and ensure there is at least half of the length that is wane-free.

The 2023 Rules Book on page 16, paragraph 64 under FAS 1 Face (F1F), states:

“Wane on the No. 1 Common side is limited to the following: the width of wane from both edges, when added together, cannot exceed 1/3 the total width of the piece. The total length of wane on either edge cannot exceed 1/2 the length.”

The FAS side of an F1F is the same as the wane limitation for FAS stated above. The 1 Common side wane is not allowed to be more than 1/3 of the total width of the board. In other words, there must be 2/3 width of the board that does not have wane. The length of wane is the same as FAS, ½ the length on both edges.

The 2023 Rules Book on page 16, paragraph 68 under Selects, states:

“In pieces 6” and wider, wane on the No. 1 Common side is limited to the following: the width of wane from both edges, when added together, cannot exceed 1/3 the total width of the piece. The total length of wane on either edge cannot exceed 1/2 the length.”

For Selects 6” and wider, they are treated the same as F1F, as ex-plained above.

The 2023 Rules Book on page 16, paragraph 69 under Selects, states:

“In pieces 4” and 5” wide, wane on either face is limited to the following: the width of wane from both edges when added together, cannot exceed 1/3 the total width of the piece.
The total length of wane on both edges, when added together, cannot exceed 1/2 the length.”

For the Selects measuring 4” and 5”, wane on both faces is limited to the same; the width of wane cannot exceed 1/3 the width of the piece. The length of wane cannot exceed ½ the length of one edge of the board. If the wane is on more than one edge, the lengths must be added together to determine if it exceeds ½ the length of the board.

Just like a golfer must understand the rules of the game to excel, mastering these grading rules is essential for maintaining quality and consistency. By returning to these fundamentals, your business can maintain its competitive edge.

If you have questions about these guidelines or want to learn how our programs can help your business, visit NHLA.com or reach out directly to [email protected].

By DANA SPESSERT, Chief Inspector