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Hardwood Lumber Grades - An Introduction
By Bob Sabastina, Chief Inspector S&W Report - Summer / Fall 1998 (Volume 12)
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This article is intended to encourage the reader to become familiar with the grading rules for hardwood lumber established by the National Hardwood Lumber Association. For over 100 years these grading rules have been the standard basis for sale of all North American Hardwoods throughout the world.
With some exceptions, hardwood lumber is graded on the basis of the size and number of cuttings (pieces) which can be obtained from a board when it is cut up and used in the manufacture of a hardwood product such as furniture, flooring or architectural millwork. Usually the buyer intends to use only the clear (defect free) material in a board, so a higher grade would have a larger area of clear wood.
Because the grading rules are based on the yield of clear wood, many beautiful, natural characteristics, which appear in a board, are not included in the calculation of the yield. Often, the natural beauty and real bargains are not found in the most expensive grade of lumber. The keen buyer who will examine the lower grades can discover that they may “yield” the prize pieces.
The Following is a brief description of the three most standard hardwood grades:
Basic Yield for FAS
FAS (First and Seconds) - The FAS grade will provide the user with long, wide, clear cuttings. Best suited for high quality furniture, interior trim, millwork, and solid wood moldings. The FAS grade includes a range of boards which yield from 831/3% (10/12ths) to 100% clear wood in cuttings at least 3” wide 7’ long or 4” wide by 5’ long.
Diagram 1 and 2 show two examples of the minimum clear yield (unshaded area) needed to make each grade. The shaded area contains defects and is not used in calculating the yield, although users may well crosscut and rip the lumber in a different pattern and use portions of the board in the shaded area.
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FAS1F or Selects
In FAS1F (“FAS one face”) and Selects, the grade is established using both faces of the board. The best face must meet the requirements for FAS, and the reverse side must essentially grade No. 1. FAS1F and Selects are virtually the same grade, except for minimum width and length. The minimum board size for Selects is 4” X 6’, and for FAS1F it is 6” X 8’.
Basic Yield for No.1 Grade
No. 1 - Will provide the user clear cuttings of medium length and width. Best suited for furniture, cabinets, and a multitude of solid wood manufactured products. The No. 1 grade includes a range of boards which will yield from 66 2/3% (8/12ths) to 83.1% (10/12ths) clear wood in cuttings at least 3” wide by 3’ long or 4” x 2’.
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Basic Yield for No.2A Grade
No.2A - Will provide the user with short, narrow clear cuttings economically priced, for use in unexposed furniture frames, picture frames, cabinet rails and frames, parquet or strip flooring, and many other smaller sold wood components. The No. 2A grade includes a range of boards which will yield from 50% (6/12ths) to 66 2/3% (8/12ths) clear wood cuttings at least 3” wide by 2’ long.
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For more information regarding hardwood lumber or to obtain a publication list contact the NHLA, P.O. Box 34518, Memphis, TN 38184 0518, telephone (901) 377-1818, or Fax (901) 382-6419.
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