1992 Data Bank for Red Oak Lumber

Book excerpt: The 1992 Data Bank for Red Oak Lumber is a collection of fully described FAS, Selects, No. 1 Common, and No. 2A Common boards (a total of 1,578 at present). The data bank has two unique features to aid in sample selection. The first feature is the double grading of FAS, No. 1 Common, and No. 2A Common boards to reflect the surface area in grading cuttings when grading with standard National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA) procedures and when using as many grading cuttings as possible under NHLA rules. The latter gives a more accurate predictor of the potential utility of the board. The second feature is the inclusion of quality levels for the No. 1 Common and No. 2A Common boards. Written for researchers and industrial decision makers who may have only a limited knowledge of the NHLA grades, the data bank contains a limited description of factors affecting the grades. Included are a description of Realistic Grading System (ReGS), the computer program for grading lumber; some reasons why lumber users who buy kiln dried lumber may want to specify the Special Kiln Dried Rule; the effect of kiln-drying on soundness of knots; and the surprising finding that relatively few No. 1 Common and No. 2A Common boards contain any pith at all.