Lumber Sawing II

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Technical

Forest & Lumber

Lumber Sawing

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Illustration of Cross Cut Sections

Plain Sawn

Plain sawing is the

most common method

of sawing and consequently most lumber is plain sawn. Plain sawn lumber is obtained by making the first saw cut on a tangent to the circumference of the log and the remaining cuts parallel to the first. This method provides the widest boards and least waste; therefore, it is the most economical.

Plain Sawn (tangential grain) is easily recognized by it cathedral (Gothic arch) effect on the face of the board. The end grain will have semi-circles and plain sawn lumber tends to cup more than quartered or rift sawn lumber.

Plain Sawn (Sawn through & through

	Rift Sawn		Quarter Sawn
	Rift sawing is very similar to quarter sawing, and has the same advantages and limitations. This method of sawing accentuates the vertical grain and minimizes the flake, common in quarter sawn oak. The angle of the cut is changed slightly so that fewer saw cuts are parallel to the medullary rays, which are responsible for the flake effect. Rift sawn lumber produces		Quarter sawn lumber is produced by first quartering the log and then sawing it perpendicular to the growth rings. All of the boards sawn thus are of radial grain. When looking at the end grain, the annual growth rings will be at 90 degrees to each face. Quarter sawn lumber is termed "vertical grain" or "edge grain" in softwoods. In Mahogany quarter sawn lumber is termed "ribbon stripe". This method of sawing produces relatively narrow boards and creates more waste.
an almost straight grain with practically no flake figure.		For these reasons (and the additional handling involved) quarter sawn lumber is much more expensive than plain sawn. Quarter sawing evidences the medullary ray (flake) in the face (see illustrations above).