Nhla grading rule book

Even considering the subjective nature of fas grading standards, they still provide a helpful system for evaluating lumber. When determining the poor side of a board, grade each face. The measurements of this percentage are referred to as clearcuttings. Vice president of operations woodworkers source were a familyowned lumber. When selecting wood for a woodworking project, consider the size of the boards required. Thanks to the foresight of the early founders of the nhla in 1898, some order has been added to the chaos that had become the lumber trade.

When the nhla national hardwood lumber association came up with central grading standards over 100 years ago, they helped create order from chaos across the lumber industry. They were established over 100 years ago by the newly formed national hardwood lumber association nhla. I didnt know there was any difference in nhla rules between the east and the west. Below are resources for hardwood lumber grading rules. In addition to the rules changes and clarifications, in this update of the rules book, the nhla added a new section of tips and tricks. Introduction to nhla american hardwood lumber grading hardwood lumber is usually graded 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. The following information provides a quick overview from the nhla grade rule book for the grading of most hardwoods. A hardwood log grading handbook university of tennessee. Nhla grading rules for north american hardwoods downloadable pdf the american hardwood export councils illustrated guide to american hardwood lumber grades downloadable pdf nhla. In the nhla rules book that he referenced there is a paragraph in the forward that states. In general, a softwood board is graded as a whole piece, whereas a hardwood board is graded on its usable content aside from any parts which may be considered undesirable for its use such as knots, wane, splits, etc. The nhla hardwood grading rules are the product of the process of evolutionary development and that process is still in operation. We have gathered a summary of these changes contained in the new rules book.

It is a process of growth and expansion to meet the necessities of varying conditions and markets and will continue as long as the trade endures. Other than the fas grades, the grade of the board is determined from the percentage of these clear cuttings and do not consider defects outside of the clear areas. The national hardwood lumber association nhla created grading standards for maple lumber. The nhla lumber grading rules adopted by the us hardwood industry are based on an imperial. A quick reference guide to american hardwood lumber grading, courtesy of ahec and the nhla. Washington seattle 20205 59th place south kent, wa 98032. Although the nhla grading rules are targeted for the us marketplace, a reasonable knowledge is essential for buyers worldwide in order to attain their expected degree of quality.

Easily share your publications and get them in front of issuus. Issuu is a digital publishing platform that makes it simple to publish magazines, catalogs, newspapers, books, and more online. Nhla was founded in 1898 to establish and now enforce a standard uniform system for the measurement and grading of lumber. For more than a century, the hardwood lumber industry has held to a central grading standard established by the national hardwood lumber association nhla. These rules define the poorest piece in any given standard or special grade, but the respective grades shall contain all pieces up to the next higher standard or special grade as defined in these rules. The value of rules conscious employees is a more carefully manufactured product, a more profitable yield from the log, and a better sense of the value of the lumber being handled.

The first rules committee met with 59 firms and nine markets represented, and the committee established the first standardized set of hardwood lumber grading rules. The nhla is now a membershipbased trade association that serves two main purposes. The 2020 nhla annual convention will take place september 2325 at the newly renovated galt house hotel in louisville, kentucky. As of january 1, 2019, a new nhla rules book has been launched. The national hardwood lumber association nhla was founded on april 8 th, 1898 in chicago, illinois to establish uniformity of inspecting hardwood lumber. Does anybody know if there have been changes in walnut, and. The measurements of this percentage are referred to as clear. Learning to grade softwood dimension lumber spib blog. The grade shall be determined from the poor side of the piece, except when otherwise specified. The grading requirements for fas in paragraphs 55 to 63 inclusive shall apply to the better face of the piece. In the usa the grading rules for 2 dimension lumber.

First and most significantly, the nhla grading system, as its name implies, is limited to domestic hardwood lumber. If the proposal is passed by a twothirds majority vote, it then becomes official and is included in the rules book. Grading rules standard chart vinyl wall chart is a quick reference guide for the nhla standard grades. View details nhla rules book 2019 mandarin edition. Thanks to the foresight of the early founders of the nhla in 1898, some order has.

Practical hardwood operators have an awareness of the obligation. Nhla used to have a single sheet of paper walnut grading rules that made it a bit simpler. A detailed explanation can be found in the nhla rules book. Birdseye maple lumber 2020 commercial forest products 2019. Course included nhla lumber grading rule book, you will recieve a certificate of taking the nhla short course. Rough kiln dried lumber specified 38\ to 4\ thick may be 116\ scant ofthe nominal thickness. This handbook briefly summarizes common log grading rules for hardwoods. We help hardwood companies achieve profitability and solve their top business challenges with datadriven, expert advice and handson training. Thus, there are no officially recognized birdseye figure grades. Lumber grade rules this chart summarizes the main requirements for the standard grades. Holt hogan the university of the south charlottesville. The grading rules are of further advantage in that.

What are the options for smallscale sawmill operators. The nhla rule book is the bible of grading rules for all lumber and nhla. Before a rule is amended or a new rule adopted, the proposal is. Nhla rules book 2015 by national hardwood lumber association. Interestingly, nhla rule books from the 1970s recognize birdseye and curl figure. Introduction to nhla american hardwood lumber grading. Must register by march 25 or sooner we need 10 students to pay for the instructor this is a three day course taught by dale heitzleman retired nhla lumber grader. Hardwood lumber grading by the nhla hardwood lumber this guide provides basic information on the grading rules. I am looking for a link to the western hardwood rules published in nhla grade rule book. There are regional differences in pricing of logs and lumber products, because the wood quality of certain species is thought to be superior in some areas. The following representations of yield are general in nature. The nhla grades are determined on an imperial measurement system using inches and feet. The nhla grading rules provide both the buyer and seller with a consistent language to use in specifying hardwood lumber transactions. Might give them a call and ask em to fax ya a copy.

You can publish your book online for free in a few minutes. Nhla grading rules 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 mouldings. Registration will be determined on a firstcome, firstserved basis. Industry resources national hardwood lumber association. Jul 16, 2019 the actual grading rules are pretty complex, so ill see if i can simplify things and compare walnut to some of the other hardwoods we carry. I have a 2003 nhla rules book, but dont know if any changes have been made since then. The nhla hardwood grading rules are the product of the process of. Other than the fas grades, the grade of the board is determined from the percentage of these clear cuttings and do. Please note that, effective march 1, 2019, supplements to the nlga standard grading rules have been posted on this website under publications updates. For more information on nhla grading and defects, be sure to check out understanding hardwood lumber grades. For complete details the grading rule book can be purchased from the national hardwood lumber association. The change effects the thickness measurement for determining if it is miscut.

Black walnut lumber grade allow more defects and smaller sizes. Grades are according to use, manufacture, size and moisture content. In the cutting grades the poor side of the board is determined by the side with the lower grade, or if both sides have the same grade, it is the side with the least number of cutting units. The only rule that changed pertains to aromatic red cedar on page 34 of the 2015 version of the nhla rules book. Nhla rules book intro to grading hardwood lumber illustrated guide to hardwood lumber grading trifold cards why north american hardwoods. Nhla job board as a benefit of membership, nhla members have exclusive access to post any open positions within their companies to the nhla job board at no cost. Nhla members are cautioned to become familiar with the laws in the. Nhla hardwood grading rulebook free download as pdf file. Understanding your needs and matching them to the correct product source can become extremely important in ensuring you obtain the best yields. This threeday workshop will include a thorough study and explanation of the nhla rules book, emphasizing the basics of hardwood lumber inspection. Other log grading rules grade all species of logs in the same way, with buyers paying dif ferent prices for logs of the same grade but of different species. Minimum board size is 6 and wider and 8 and longer. The grading and measurement of hardwood lumber is not a simple matter and should not be undertaken lightly. To order a copy of the 2019 nhla rules book, please visit the nhla online store or.

Most hardwood lumber produced in this country is graded using the rules developed and maintained by the national hardwood lumber association nhla. For 123 years, the nhla annual convention is where the hardwood industry has come together to trade, learn and discuss the important. The training will also empower participants to grow themselves and their. Nhla grading rules national hardwood lumber association. Today, nhla grading rules are not only the dominant grading system for hardwood lumber in the united states, but also form the basis for much of the international trade in hardwoods.

Nhla job board national hardwood lumber association. All widths, lengths and thicknesses mentioned in these rules shall be inclusive. In 1901 the inspection bureau was created to fulfill the uniform application of the nhla grading rules. Nhla rules book pages 51 100 text version fliphtml5. This section is in the back of the rules book and is in no way intended to be applied as rules, simply a way to help apply rules and other aspects of grading lumber. Nhla lumber grading course at pa woodmizer in shows, events. Black walnut lumber grade for more information on nhla grading and defects, be sure to check out understanding hardwood lumber grades. If you need more info on what is included please give us a call. Must yield 83% to 100% clear wood in cuttings at least 3 x 7 or 4 x 5.

Basic concepts in log scaling, lumber grading and log bucking. A career in the hardwood industry starts with nhla. A good place to start would be to get in touch with the national hardwood lumber association and purchase a rule book. No rules or regulations can be truly effective unless they are understood and correctly applied. Today the nhla has over 2000 members worldwide, and the nhla rules are still the national standard for the us hardwood industry and form the basis for grading of export lumber. The grading and measurement of hardwood lumber is not. Became knowledgeable with nhla grading rule book and began to learn how to apply that information. The rules under standard inspection and special inspection shall not be applied under any contract which specifies grade names different from.

Check out our educational offerings by clicking here. The grade shall be determined from the better face of the board. These rules define the poorest piece in any given grade, but the respective grades shall contain all pieces up to the next higher grade. For complete information, consult the appropriate section of the nhla rule book. The nhla grades are based on the percentage of cleardefect free wood on a board. Another useful rule of thumb available with usfs log grades is that no. As a shortcut to communicating the quality of a board, these fas standards are quite helpful.

From the adoption of the earliest hardwood rules, no major alteration of standards has occurred that was not prompted by a noticeable change in the character of the hardwood timber supply. Aug 20, 2019 for more than a century, the hardwood lumber industry has held to a central grading standard established by the national hardwood lumber association nhla. A hardwood log grading handbook adam taylor university of tennessee a good understanding of log valuation will help landowners, loggers, log buyers and saw millers agree on the fair value for a load of logs. By the end of the 5day training, attendees should be able to successfully grade lumber. While this grading system is certainly still helpful, it falls short of doing some things which customers might expect it to be able to do. You need to get familiar really quickly with the basics of lumber grading. The actual grading rules are pretty complex, so ill see if i can simplify things and compare walnut to some of the other hardwoods we carry. Hardwood lumber grading by the nhla fas first and seconds provides long, wide, clear cuttings.