The mill operator will again gauge the log and decide where the face cut will be made so the log will provide the best wood. The opening cut or face cut on a log is like opening a treasure chest; you don’t always know what you will get. This face will be used to locate the remaining three cuts which converts the log from round into square. Turning a round log into a square, it goes from log to cant. This cant is now milled to get the highest grade lumber from each face. It is sliced and diced until not much remains beyond the boards themselves and a pile of sawdust.
Right off the mill is “rough sawn” lumber. This is the cheapest way to buy lumber. It is cheap for a reason, all the “finish” work has not been done. If you buy your lumber this way, you will have a LOT of work left to do before you build with.
Great Article
By: lcdude (Registered) on 08-08-2007 18:30