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General Forestry => Sawmills and Milling => Topic started by: millwright on June 13, 2017, 07:44:24 AM

Title: Stickers
Post by: millwright on June 13, 2017, 07:44:24 AM
When sawing a customers logs and making stickers as you go, how do you guys usually charge for them.  Thanks
Title: Re: Stickers
Post by: Sixacresand on June 13, 2017, 08:29:07 AM
I don't charge for stickers.  Even though they are milled from scrap wood, they do require substantial work: cutting to length, handling and stacking.
Title: Re: Stickers
Post by: petefrom bearswamp on June 13, 2017, 08:53:53 AM
No charge for stickers here.
If it is a very large order I ask if they will bring them back.
Title: Re: Stickers
Post by: millwright on June 13, 2017, 12:30:00 PM
I haven't been charging for them at all, and I  guess I won't start
Title: Re: Stickers
Post by: kelLOGg on June 13, 2017, 12:39:56 PM
I don't charge either but sometimes I wish I would. One customer returns them after the lumber has dried.
Title: Re: Stickers
Post by: WV Sawmiller on June 13, 2017, 02:11:10 PM
Millwright,

   If I cut his stickers our of his edgings or even a scrap log at the start of the job I have not been charging.
Title: Re: Stickers
Post by: Chuck White on June 13, 2017, 02:23:44 PM
Most of what I cut for stickers comes from edging the one inch boards!
Title: Re: Stickers
Post by: drobertson on June 13, 2017, 02:38:55 PM
back when I sawed, I at first never charged for stickers, then jobs got bigger, I had to make a few changes, it really boils down to board feet sawn, and time.  I never stuck a dagger in anyone, and never had complaints.  My last big job was 20,000 bd/ft, well this amounts to quite a few stickers and time stacking, if you get a job like this you may reconsider your pricing practices.
Title: Re: Stickers
Post by: WV Sawmiller on June 13, 2017, 07:53:44 PM
   Yeah but what would have been different if you cut 2,000 bf each for 10 customers?
Title: Re: Stickers
Post by: Peter Drouin on June 13, 2017, 09:01:54 PM
I grab a short log of theirs and cut it into 1" , Flip and cut 1". Whole log stickers.
Then cut in ½, .35 a bf on the first 1" flip and cut for free. Unless I have a lot to do, then .35x2.
;D


 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22511/DSCF1114.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1431394256)
Title: Re: Stickers
Post by: POSTON WIDEHEAD on June 13, 2017, 09:16:51 PM
I first explain to the customer that stickers are an investment and will pay for them selves down the road.

SAVE THEM!

Stickers are not Tomato stacks and they are not fire starters. They are an investment for producing dry straight lumber.
Usually they pick a log they want for stickers. I know I am actually sawing that log twice but I only charge them as if I was sawing lumber.

Sometimes they want me to give them my dry stickers....nope....15 cents a foot.

My method works great for me.
Title: Re: Stickers
Post by: Darrel on June 13, 2017, 09:28:23 PM
I charge the same $0.35/bf for stickers that I charge for lumber.  Sometimes for my neighbors that live nearby I will cut on shares, then I get my share of stickers.  Everybody has been happy so far. 
Title: Re: Stickers
Post by: Chuck White on June 14, 2017, 07:48:48 AM
I do that every once in a while, Peter!

It really gets it done and over with, quick!   ;)
Title: Re: Stickers
Post by: drobertson on June 14, 2017, 08:29:21 AM
Quote from: WV Sawmiller on June 13, 2017, 07:53:44 PM
   Yeah but what would have been different if you cut 2,000 bf each for 10 customers?
If this was meant for me WV, then I need to back up a little. the original post was asking about sawing the customers logs, and in this case as Poston mentioned, I asked what their plans are first. If it is going to be stacked for any period of time at all it all should be stickered.   Often times land owners dont know how much can be sawn from any given log.  Not sure about other folks that saw, but what I did was scale the logs, review the desired cut list and make decisions on saw pattern from this.  Many times it gets tight in satisfying the required list with the logs available.  And the edging of flitches dont always yield a very good quality of sticks, so for this reason I kept a pile of precut sticks to be used, and sold at a price that has been discussed with the customer.  Hope this clears up my position.
Title: Re: Stickers
Post by: Magicman on June 14, 2017, 09:02:18 AM
I have never charged for sawing stickers, even if/when an entire log is sawn into stickers.  Providing stickers is a selling point for me when I am discussing a potential job with a potential customer.
Title: Re: Stickers
Post by: Darrel on June 14, 2017, 09:18:23 AM
I see different approaches to how stickers are cut and charged for or not mentioned in this thread.  As I see it, the most important thing is that the customer knows right from the get go how it's going down.  Customers don't like surprises.

Edit:  Magic, I like the idea of using stickers as a selling point.
Title: Re: Stickers
Post by: WV Sawmiller on June 14, 2017, 09:41:46 AM
Drobertson,

   Thanks for the clarification. Yes, I was reading this as sawing stickers for the customer out of his logs. I concur it is right to charge for them if you are selling your own pre-cut stickers. Actually not wrong to charge for cutting his as mentioned above as long as you are clear to the customer up front about it.
Title: Re: Stickers
Post by: Tom the Sawyer on June 14, 2017, 12:18:25 PM
Probably slightly off topic, but...

Seems like I had always heard that the primary considerations for stickers was that they were of consistent thickness, and dry.  I know it is probably convenient to mill them from the client's logs but, a year or so down the road, do you get any feedback about mold or sticker stain from stacking wet wood on wet wood?  I have seen sticker stain on boards that were stickered with freshly milled stickers, and have tried to plane it out, seldom with good results.   ???   
Title: Re: Stickers
Post by: Larry on June 14, 2017, 12:48:09 PM
Tom, I very carefully explain to my customer using green sticks has many drawbacks, especially with hardwood.  Some just don't care or are too cheap to obtain dry sticks.  I will saw a full log of sticks for them, no charge.  They have to cut to length.  Hardly ever saw sticks out of edgings as that is too time consuming.

I sometimes offer an option if I have plenty of dry sticks and like the customer.  I rent at 35 cents a stick.  When they bring them back I refund the rent.  Most of the time they don't bring em back.

Title: Re: Stickers
Post by: Magicman on June 14, 2017, 01:12:48 PM
I very seldom saw lumber for woodworkers, etc. where it matters.  90%+ of my sawing is framing, siding, and other "general purpose" lumber.
Title: Re: Stickers
Post by: FalconFan on June 14, 2017, 04:59:11 PM
I was thinking the same thing.  Magicman makes a good point though.

Quote from: Tom the Sawyer on June 14, 2017, 12:18:25 PM
Probably slightly off topic, but...

Seems like I had always heard that the primary considerations for stickers was that they were of consistent thickness, and dry.  I know it is probably convenient to mill them from the client's logs but, a year or so down the road, do you get any feedback about mold or sticker stain from stacking wet wood on wet wood?  I have seen sticker stain on boards that were stickered with freshly milled stickers, and have tried to plane it out, seldom with good results.   ???
Title: Re: Stickers
Post by: Ianab on June 14, 2017, 05:26:49 PM
Quote from: Tom the Sawyer on June 14, 2017, 12:18:25 PM
Probably slightly off topic, but...

Seems like I had always heard that the primary considerations for stickers was that they were of consistent thickness, and dry.  I know it is probably convenient to mill them from the client's logs but, a year or so down the road, do you get any feedback about mold or sticker stain from stacking wet wood on wet wood?  I have seen sticker stain on boards that were stickered with freshly milled stickers, and have tried to plane it out, seldom with good results.   ???

There are basically 3 scenarios.

1 - Some wood isn't prone to staining. I can sticker our local cypress and cedar on green stickers, and it comes out fine.
2 - Many end uses don't matter. Construction lumber for example. It's a cosmetic issue, that's never going to be seen.
3 - You do end up with sticker stain, which is a problem as it usually goes some depth into the wood, and wont always plane out.

So if you are sawing a species you know is prone to staining, maple maybe?, and you know they want to use it for some sort of wood working, then it needs to be dry stickers. Scenario 1 and 2, you can saw stickers from edgings or low grade logs as you go.
Title: Re: Stickers
Post by: Magicman on June 14, 2017, 05:33:39 PM
The Poplar and White Oak 1X12's that I sawed yesterday will all be used for barn siding lumber.  Only the cows will know.   ;D
Title: Re: Stickers
Post by: Ianab on June 14, 2017, 07:00:11 PM
Quote from: Magicman on June 14, 2017, 05:33:39 PM
Only the cows will know.   ;D

And all complaints must be made in writing.  :D
Title: Re: Stickers
Post by: WDH on June 14, 2017, 08:18:30 PM
Cows can be sensitive  :). 
Title: Re: Stickers
Post by: Magicman on June 14, 2017, 09:07:57 PM
 

 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/cow.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1497488801)
Yes, cows can be very sensitive!
Title: Re: Stickers
Post by: trapper on June 14, 2017, 09:41:41 PM
Quote from: Magicman on June 14, 2017, 09:07:57 PM


 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/cow.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1497488801)
Yes, cows can be very sensitive!

Reminds me of the horses in Ocala Fl
Title: Re: Stickers
Post by: Farm29 on November 10, 2017, 10:52:27 PM
I had a few ? On stacking lumber to air dry not sure if this is the right topic for this question but ?
When I stack 4/4 I put sticker between the layers but put the boards tight together in each layer which I assume is correct but if I were to stack let's say 8/4 or even 16/4 should I leave air gap between each board ?  If I would cut a bunch of 4 by 4 post should it in a sense be stickers in the verticle and horizontal direction and at what thickness should you worry about mold or mildew between boards?  And how do you all feel about using cottonwood for stickers sorry to drag on with questions
Title: Re: Stickers
Post by: Savannahdan on November 11, 2017, 06:26:09 AM
Maybe that cow has sticker shock!
Title: Re: Stickers
Post by: Banjo picker on November 11, 2017, 07:19:04 PM
Quote from: Farm29 on November 10, 2017, 10:52:27 PM

When I stack 4/4 I put sticker between the layers but put the boards tight together in each layer which I assume is correct but if I were to stack let's say 8/4 or even 16/4 should I leave air gap between each board ?  If I would cut a bunch of 4 by 4 post should it in a sense be stickers in the verticle and horizontal direction and at what thickness should you worry about mold or mildew between boards?  And how do you all feel about using cottonwood for stickers sorry to drag on with questions

I always leave a space between the boards, no matter if I am stacking 3/4" boards or 4 x 12 beams.  In theory I would like to leave the air space directly above or below each other , but that seldom works out, as I usually have a variety of board widths together.  If you stack the edges tight, at least here in the south in the summer, you will get moldy lumber on the edges as a result.  I have never used cottonwood for stickers.  Banjo