Figuring board ft on a log

[miko0618]

Is there a conversion from cu ft to board ft? I am trying to calculate the value of my logs. I wanna start selling the timber instead of turning it all into firewood. Any tips are appreciated!

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[Twindad]

To convert cubic feet to board feet, just divide by 12.

If you want to find bf of a log you need to know the diameter of the small end of the log inside the bark and the length of the log then use a conversion chart like this:
http://wunderwoods.wordpress.com/2011/10/18/doyle-log-scale-how-to-determine-board-feet-in-a-log/

Log and tree scale sticks/Biltmore sticks are very useful for measuring look logs.

 

[northmanlogging]

measure two points on the small end of the log, the widest and narrowest, average the 2, then check your scale after that, or just measure the smallest point of the small end, that way you can get a little surprise from the mill. Also most mills scale every 2 feet, round down... (you are leaving some trim right?)

Also you need to figure in loss to the saw, and that the mill only scales a square chunk right down the middle, the slabs are a bonus to them. The loss to the saw is a big reason why there are different scales, Doyle, Scribner Dec C, international and a bunch of others no on uses anymore. For dead reckoning math subtracting 25% gets ya in the ball bark, more for smaller logs, less for bigger, Other wise yeah figure out the cubic feet and divide by 12,

One board foot is 12"x12"x1"

 

[madhatte]

Because a = π r² , about 13 1/2 inches diameter is a board foot. The volume of the scaling cylinder is calculated by the smallest end. Estimate # of feet of that, multiply by 12 (to account for inches, because a BF is 12" x 12" x 1"), and you have a very fast-and-dirty estimate of board-feet.

 

[slowp]

http://www.ibsp.idaho.gov/IdahoLogScalingManual-2008 Edition (print).pdf

 

[Grey]

Here's the calculator with instructions.
http://www.woodweb.com/cgi-bin/calculators/calc.pl?calculator=log_volume