American Wood Grading Guide


Quiz Questions

1. Hardwood lumber _____________ on the basis of the size and number of cuttings (pieces) that can be obtained from a board when it is cut up and used in the manufacture of a hardwood product.
Is usually graded
Is not usually graded
2. A board foot (BF) is the unit of measurement for hardwood lumber. A board foot is 1 foot long x 1 foot wide x 1 inch thick.
True
False
3. Surface measure (SM) is the surface area of a board in square feet. To determine surface measure, multiply the width of the board in inches by the length of the board in feet and divide the sum by 12, rounding up or down to the nearest whole number.
True
False
4. Standard thickness for rough sawn lumber
Standard thickness for rough sawn lumber is expressed in quarters of an inch. For example 1" = 4/4. The majority of U.S. hardwood lumber production is sawn between 1" and 2", although other thicknesses are available in more limited volumes.
True
False
5. The FAS grade, which derives from an original grade "First And Seconds", will provide the user with long, clear cuttings – best suited for high quality furniture, interior joinery and solid wood moldings.
True
False
6. Bird pecks on the woold is:
Considered Defects
Not considered defects
7. Burl is
Considered Defects
Not considered defects
8. Gum streak is
Considered Defects
Not considered defects
9. Grub holes larger than ¼" are considered
Considered Defects
Not considered defects
10. American red alder
Grows exclusively in the Pacific Northwest between the vast stands of softwood timber, such as Douglas fir and pine, and is the most important commercial hardwood in this region. The grading rules for red alder are geared more for specific end uses and appearance. Alder is graded using NHLA Pacific Coast Red Alder Rules published in the NHLA Rules for the Measurement & Inspection of Hardwood and Cypress. The rules were developed on the West Coast of the USA with those manufacturers and exports in mind.
True
False
11. Sap and better
Commercially sold when only one face of the board needs to be sapwood. Usually applied to the same species as ‘Number 1 white’ and ‘Number 2 white’: although just a little less stringent. In ‘sap and better’ every board should have a minimum of one sapwood face in the clear cuttings.
True
False