36 BULLETIN 718, U. S, DEPARTMENT OF AGEICULTUEE. 



circles representing sizes of different logs, and then draw in the ends 

 of the boards or stock in the way you wish to cut them. You will 

 soon learn the best way to turn and handle logs so as to get the 

 most desirable and best-sized pieces out of each log. Keep your mill 

 clean and take away the sawdust and do not let everything become 

 covered up with oil and dirt. Keep all nuts tightened up and look 

 your mill over every da}' before starting. You will thus save many 

 shutdowns. 



As opposed to this plan, many sawyers cut their logs up " alive " 

 without turning the log at all, edging the boards afterwards with 

 the circular saw. This system may be dismissed as the very " limit " 

 in wasteful milling. Another plan, which is followed hj quite a 

 number of operators, is to slab off the boards on four sides of the 

 log, leaving the wane on each board, and cutting up the squared por- 

 tion into planks or boards. This method of sawing is made to act as 

 a grading medium for the lumber; and, accordingly, we find such 

 operators selling their lumber as square edge, sheeting, and waney 

 edge, with square-edge lumber topping the price list and the others 

 in order. In reality, the waney edge, if run through an edger, 

 is the best lumber cut from the outside of the log, although by this 

 method classed as lowest in price and grade. However, this is a 

 little better than the " saw-'em-aliA^e " system, for it enables the oper- 

 ator to secure a higher price for his product, although mixing his 

 grades unintentionally. The better and more successful class of oper- 

 ators keep close supervision on the sawyer to see that he gets the 

 maximum amount of good lumber out of each log, grade their lum- 

 ber more or less carefully, and pile it in the yard according to grade 

 and dimensions. They are generally equipped with a light planer 

 and edger, and some few have a floorer. A few of these operators 

 occasionally buy the better quality of lumber from the less thrifty 

 milhnen of the " saw-'em-alive " class, grade, edge, and surface it, 

 and make more profit than the man who logged and milled it in the 

 first instance. 



The greatest defect in connection with a portable mill seems to lie 

 in the irregular size of the lumber produced, arising from the in- 

 ability of the sawyer to get the proper " lead " in sawing. Next to 

 this is lack of sufficient power in boiler and engine. The effective 

 horsepower available in most cases is far below what the mill owner 

 supposes. He may have an engine of 25 or 30 indicated horsepower, 

 while the effective power for working purposes may be only 10, 

 owing to the excessive friction, badly lined machinery, poor belting, 

 and leaking cylinders. Under such conditions the only thing for the 

 millman to do is to employ a competent mechanic and have his mill 

 overhauled and put in proper shape. The operator who does not 

 keep his mill in good working order had better get rid of it at once. 



