Why is walnut lumber graded lower than other hardwoods. A hardwood log grading handbook university of tennessee. With price information, value yields for different. Lumber grade rules this chart summarizes the main requirements for the standard grades. The grade shall be determined from the poor side of the piece, except when otherwise specified. The nhla rules were designed with the furniture trade in mind to provide a measurable percentage of clear, defectfree wood for each grade.
Additionally, the rules were developed with random width and length. The rules under standard inspection and special inspection shall not be applied under any contract which specifies grade names different from. Although the nhla grading rules are targeted for the us marketplace, a reasonable knowledge is essential for buyers worldwide in order to attain their expected degree of quality. Industry resources national hardwood lumber association. If the better face meets the requirements for either fas or number 1 common and the poor face grades number 2a common, the grade of the board is number 2a common. This section is in the back of the rules book and is in no way intended to be applied as rules, simply a way to help apply rules and other aspects of grading lumber. It is a process of growth and expansion to meet the necessities of varying conditions and markets and will continue as long as the trade endures. Hardwood lumber grading by the nhla hardwood lumber this guide provides basic information on the grading rules. The value of rules conscious employees is a more carefully manufactured product, a more profitable yield from the log, and a better sense of the value of the lumber being handled. The nhla lumber grading rules adopted by the us hardwood industry are based on an imperial. In the nhla rules book that he referenced there is a paragraph in the forward that states. The grading rules are offurther advantage in that they apply generally to all.
Guidelines for grading hardwood logs, page 3 the grade of a face is based on the clear areas. Nhla grading rules national hardwood lumber association. You can publish your book online for free in a few minutes. For complete information, consult the appropriate section of the nhla rule book. The nhla grades are determined on an imperial measurement system using inches and feet. Nhla members are cautioned to become familiar with the laws in the. Nhla rules book pages 51 100 text version fliphtml5. Nhla job board national hardwood lumber association. Other log grading rules grade all species of logs in the same way, with buyers paying dif ferent prices for logs of the same grade but of different species. In researching the nhla grade books, walnut sapwood was. Even considering the subjective nature of fas grading standards, they still provide a helpful system for evaluating lumber. There are regional differences in pricing of logs and lumber products, because the wood quality of certain species is thought to be superior in some areas. Rough kiln dried lumber specified 38\ to 4\ thick may be 116\ scant ofthe nominal thickness.
Other than the fas grades, the grade of the board is determined from the percentage of these clear cuttings and do not consider defects outside of the clear areas. Hardwood lumber grading by the nhla fas first and seconds provides long, wide, clear cuttings. The grading rules are of further advantage in that. Introduction to nhla american hardwood lumber grading hardwood lumber is usually graded on the basis of the size and number of cuttings pieces that can be obtained from a board when it is cut up and used in the manufacture of a hardwood product. The buyer can expect a comparative yield, however each yield varies. Here you will find pertinent information for the hardwood lumber industry. Pocket guides spib southern pine inspection bureau.
Other than the fas grades, the grade of the board is determined from the percentage of these clear cuttings and do. First and most significantly, the nhla grading system, as its name implies, is limited to domestic hardwood lumber. A detailed explanation can be found in the nhla rules book. For more than a century, the hardwood lumber industry has held to a central grading standard established by the national hardwood lumber association nhla. The nhla grading rules provide both the buyer and seller with a consistent language to use in specifying hardwood lumber transactions. From the adoption of the earliest hardwood rules, no major alteration of standards has occurred that was not prompted by a noticeable change in the character of the hardwood timber supply. I am looking for a link to the western hardwood rules published in nhla grade rule book. Click here to register for the 4 day introduction to hardwood lumber grading beginning june 8th at yoder lumber co. Please note that, effective march 1, 2019, supplements to the nlga standard grading rules have been posted on this website under publications updates. In 1901 the inspection bureau was created to fulfill the uniform application of the nhla grading rules. The coloring is uniform with pale white to light brown, it is difficult to distinguish between the sapwood and heartwood as they are not clearly defined, the.
National hardwood lumber association home facebook. Now for walnut lumber, the rules are changed, and the bar is lowered to allow a wider sample of wood into the grade. We are pleased to provide free pdf sections of the nlga standard grading rules for canadian lumber 2017 edition for your personal reference. The nhla hardwood grading rules are the product of the process of evolutionary development and that process is still in operation. When the nhla national hardwood lumber association came up with central grading standards over 100 years ago, they helped create order from chaos across the lumber industry. The first rules committee met with 59 firms and nine markets represented, and the committee established the first standardized set of hardwood lumber grading rules. Other rules have been established for particular end usessuch as piano actions, key.
The nhla hardwood grading rules are the product of the process of. Lumber grading short course indiana hardwood lumbermens. In addition to the rules changes and clarifications, in this update of the rules book, the nhla added a new section of tips and tricks. For 123 years, the nhla annual convention is where the hardwood industry has come together to trade, learn and discuss the important topics and trends affecting the hardwood industry. This section of the nhla website is intended to serve as an informational toolbox. The 2020 nhla annual convention will take place september 2325 at the newly renovated galt house hotel in louisville, kentucky. To order a copy of the 2019 nhla rules book, please visit the nhla online store or. The nhla grades are based on the percentage of cleardefect free wood on a board. Hardwood lumber grading hardwood lumber grading is a complex process using rules maintained by the national hardwood lumber association nhla. Nhla rules book 2015 by national hardwood lumber association. View details nhla rules book 2019 mandarin edition. An introduction to the nhla grading rules for colour sorting, defects. Black walnut lumber grade allow more defects and smaller sizes. When determining the poor side of a board, grade each face.
An introduction to the nhla grading rules for colour sorting, defects, shape and species. Must yield 83% to 100% clear wood in cuttings at least 3 x 7 or 4 x 5. For complete imformation, consult the appropriate section of the nhla rule book. Training room, suite 101, 191 howard street, franklin, pa.
No rules or regulations can be truly effective unless they are understood and correctly applied. The nhla rules were designed to provide the furniture industry a mathematically measurable method to grade lumber for its amount of clear, defect free wood. The grading rules are offurther advantage in that they apply generally to all species with certainexceptions. This threeday workshop will include a thorough study and explanation of the nhla rules book, emphasizing the basics of hardwood lumber inspection. This five day workshop will include a thorough study and explanation of the nhla rules book, emphasizing the. The above guidelines are the same with the exception of the following changes. It is a hardwood lumber that is very soft and lightweight. I didnt know there was any difference in nhla rules between the east and the west. Use the links to discover information related to the industrys impact on the u. In the cutting grades the poor side of the board is determined by the side with the lower grade, or if both sides have the same grade, it is the side with the least number of cutting units.
Nhla hardwood grading rulebook free download as pdf file. The grading and measurement of hardwood lumber is not a simple matter and should not be undertaken lightly. The measurements of this percentage are referred to as clearcuttings. This is the highest grade, and nhla states for all lumber the following. Thanks to the foresight of the early founders of the nhla in 1898, some order has. For 123 years, the nhla annual convention is where the hardwood industry has come together to trade, learn and discuss the important. The following representations of yield are general in nature. I have a 2003 nhla rules book, but dont know if any changes have been made since then. This chart summarizes the main requirements for the standard grades. While this grading system is certainly still helpful, it falls short of doing some things which customers might expect it to be able to do.
Introduction to nhla american hardwood lumber grading. There are lower nhla grades than number 2a common but they are usually converted into dimension parts, flooring parts, or used domestically in the usa. If the proposal is passed by a twothirds majority vote, it then becomes official and is included in the rules book. Practical hardwood operators have an awareness of the obligation.
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