Junk Lumber

[TnAndy]

Now you know why I bought one of these,

My lumber is as good as I make it,

AND, even large amounts of it, is very inexpensive!

One of my BEST investments!

SR

Woodmizer owner here (since1991), and I agree.....one of the best tools I ever bought ! I've cut over 1/2 million boardft over the years, and figure mine cost about a nickel/ft. And my 2x6's are full 2x6s.

But here's the rub....Tennessee adopted building codes a few years ago, and now I can't use my own lumber to build a house because it doesn't have a GRADE STAMP. Clearly, everyone can go to the big box stores and SEE what a grade stamp is worth, but without it, it won't pass code. I can still use it, for now, on agricultural buildings.

Here's a 25' 8x12 coming off my 21' mill ( )

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Mill out a pile of lumber and have a guy come in and grade and stamp it, that's what guys do here... Others here take the 2 day class and become graders, then grade and stamp their own lumber...

SR

 

[farmer2009]

Mill out a pile of lumber and have a guy come in and grade and stamp it, that's what guys do here... Others here take the 2 day class and become graders, then grade and stamp their own lumber... SR

I was just about to ask. How hard is it to become a grader? And can you grade your own lumber?

But it doesn't sound like it would be that difficult.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

There's a guy over this way, he milled out two complete houses, took the grading course and graded all the lumber. He then sold half of the lumber and said he ended up with a free house. lol

Another guy milled out a big pile of lumber, had a guy come in and grade and stamp it. He then made a "copy" of the grade stamp and graded another huge pile of lumber himself...

SR

 

[TnAndy]

There are only a few States in which you can become certified to grade your own. The requirements vary from fairly easy (in Wisconsin) to fairly hard. Commercial mills don't like competition, and this is one way they keep it down.

I was working with my State legislator this past year to get such a system in place here, but haven't gotten it done so far.....because that is exactly what happened. Once the big boys got involved, the legislation got tabled.

As for getting someone to come grade, I guess you can. My understanding is it's quite expensive, thus making it cheaper to simply buy commercial crap.

Shame we small mills can produce a far superior product, one that was used for centuries without a stamp, and now most places we can not.

 

[davesl708]

from; SPIKER
I been shopping Menards most often anymore with 11% off and or use my Vet Benefit for 10% off at the other two Lowes & HD.
M[/QUOTE]

I agree about Menard's. dealt with them when I lived in Sioux City Iowa. Strange though, here in the Kansas City area (2 million + people) only one Menard's and it is 60 miles across the metro to get to them. Can't throw a rock and not hit a Lowes or HD. Have Lowes and HD across the street from one another. Have to hand pick the lumber from them.

 

[JRobyn]

TNAndy, are you sure that applies to all of TN, and if so, how is it enforced? I'm in Jackson County, and the only state or county requirements I had was for a septic permit/inspection by the county and rough-in and final electrical inspection by the state guy.

- Jay