quater sawn

[dennis b]

i build outdoor structurres. we use Larch wood. we get complates from customers that the lumber we use is checking mostly 6x6 and 5x5. would it help prevent checking if we  had lumber quater saw

[dgdrls]

I'm not experienced enough to answer but I will ask, do you treat the ends of your cut beams with Anchorseal or similar product.
Also how dry are your logs when you cut?

I'm interested in seeing what the experienced sawyers have to say.

DGDrls

[beenthere]

All wood will check when it dries. Just one of the facts of "wood" life.
You may help reduce end checking with the anchorseal as suggested.

Do you have pics that you would post that shows the checking that you are asking about?

Also, where is your location?

[dennis b]

i live in ny. we do coat ends. we do tell customers that checking will happen.when they see the checks they think the structure will fall apart

[tyb525]

on a square post, there is really no way to quartersaw it. two faces will always be flatsawn.

[ladylake]

tyb525 is right, no way to qs a square. It could all end up rift sawn. Keep it out of the sun and try to dry slow.    Steve

[WDH]

Thick timbers check.  That is a fact of wood life unless you have perfectly controlled drying.  The only way to prevent checking in a 6x6 beam without drying in perfectly controlled conditions in a kiln would be to cut six 1" boards, dry them, then glue up the beam.  The issue is with the thickness of the stock and the natural stresses that occur when the outside of the beam dries faster than the inside, which it always will.  This difference in drying rate has to be tightly controlled in kiln.  It cannot be done naturally from what I have seen. 

[zopi]

Or to PEG stabilize it...nobody id going to write that check. 

[redbeard]

. we get complates from customers that the lumber we use is checking mostly 6x6 and 5x5.
The checking is it just the ends or is the pith or center close to the edge of posts and beams that is checking? FHOC Is a good way to mill parts especially visual applications.. you will need large diameter logs to achieve this if your logs are small you can box the heart. It will prevent most of the checking. My experience is with douglas fir and I eliminate the center on all of my premium beams and posts. Yes I do cut 4x4 and 6x6 out oof small logs with the center boxed and they usually will check at some point. But the FHOC generally never check.

[dennis b]

thanks for your help guys. this forum is great!!!!  readbeard. FHOC?

[WDH]

Some species do better than others like redbeard has seen with doug fir.  I have been successful with thicker beams with walnut (like mantle stock) and I have been woefully unsuccessful with any of the oaks.  Checking and splitting (not just end checking) is common in southern pine.  How many treated southern pine post have you ever seen that did not have some splits in them?

[Cedarman]

It is easier to educate your customer than it will be to keep large wood squares from checking.  Put on your salesman hat and have a very good explanation of what is happening to the wood as it dries. You must make them comfortable that they have a very good product.  Point out all the positives of the wood.  Natural versus plastic etc.  Figure out how to make the customer happy and satisified. 

[POSTONLT40HD]

Very good thought, CEDARMAN!

[Magicman]

I have over-sized mantels etc. for customers.  After a year of drying, we will lay it back on the sawmill and make the final cuts to get the twist out.  The checks are natural and part of the character.  I do not charge extra for them.   

[beenthere]

thanks for your help guys. this forum is great!!!!  readbeard. FHOC?

Thinking redbeard meant FOHC for "free of heart center".

[hbilly]

I'm glad I read this, I have some of the same Ideas using oaks. Thanks for the input. Good sales pitch, any wood in an uncontrolled environment is subject to splitting, its your choice weather you want a nice big piece of oak or a big green piece of  pressure treated pine. Sometimes painting, staining can help if the wood is cured, butt I would never suggest that. Just more for someone to fuss about if it does split.

[j rock]

Magicman hit it right on the head.  I have sold mantles cracked & staine, some times thats just what people are looking for.

[dennis b]

thanks for the help guys. those checks in the beams bother my boss more than me. i keep telling him its the nature of the wood. i lived in a log home and it checked like mad. but the walls were 8 inches thick.if it did not check like wood  it would just be ugly plastic siding.

[beenthere]

thanks for the help guys. those checks in the beams bother my boss more than me. i keep telling him its the nature of the wood. i lived in a log home and it checked like mad. but the walls were 8 inches thick.if it did not check like wood  it would just be ugly plastic siding.

In the OP you said you were getting complaints from customers.
Now the "boss" has entered the picture and 'bothered'.
Pls explain how the boss is selling a product that he/she doesn't understand that it will check. ??   

[jueston]

Pls explain how the boss is selling a product that he/she doesn't understand that it will check. ??   

i'm a carpenter and my boss seems to think every wood product we install should behave perfectly.... and when it doesn't, its ussually my fault....