Thread: Timber sizes for Machining

Thanks Steve

handy little list there.

i have found that most plaining mills have there own list of sizes they require.

these sizes vary depending on species.

for instance one mill i cut for wants

100mm x 25mm ironbark, spotty, box
110mm x 28mm blackbut
120mm x 30mm flooded gum

those are the minimum sizes and like slightly over. if 30% is more than 4mm over he deducts from price. more than 40% oversize they reject pack.

what i am currently cutting stock for champher boards. standard size is 175mm x 32mm (7x1 1/4) but he gets me to cut 175mm x 35mm.

i have found its best to check before you start cutting as most will have there own ideas.

helpfull, thanks a lot

Carl,
Good point, Always a good idea to check with the machinist first and cut the size they are after. The national standard is handy if you are not quite sure who will be buying it.

The moulders can be set up to remove between 0 and 10mm of timber from the board on the first two heads. So if the timber is oversize it will machine ok. The feed rate may have to be slow but even a board 30mm thick can be machined to 19mm.
The problem that often comes up is a mixed pack with some thick boards, some thin, some wide, some narrow etc. It is almost impossible to set up for the run without sorting through the whole lot.
It all needs to be consistently cut within a couple of mm. The moulder can then be set up to compensate and do the whole sling in one run.

cheers
steve

the other thing to check with the buyer is what grade they require.

some will take the whole log milled.
others will stipulate sap free witch can put a hole in your profits.
most wont take heart. so i cut this into stakes.
some want grades packed seperatly and some will sort it after planning.
some want it sticked out. others dont.
some will want plastic straps to avoid stain.

its always best to get in writing exactly what they require before you start cutting. or it will end in tears.

it is also good to build a good working relationship with them if a pack is no good they may still take it t a lower price for fence material or most have a stake trade.