of being immovable without the lifting apparatus. A smooth floor is also required for the use of this type of equipment.

Live rolls, conveyors, and chains are not used to any great extent in the small dimension industry. Dimension mills which are operating in connection with a band mill and which are using mill waste as raw material frequently use electrically controlled transfer chains for the movement of slabs and edgings from the live rolls to the bolter or resaw. Small dimension mills and woodworking plants which are operated under a system of line production may use belts or some other method of conveying material.

BUNDLING SMALL DIMENSION STOCK

Several advantages of bundling ready-cut stock have been previously mentioned in this report. Since handling large numbers of

FIGURE 16.-Bundled stock is efficiently handled and forms a compact load on either fcatory or lift trucks

small units increases cost small-sized stock should be bundled whenever possible. In many cases it does not seem practical to bundle stock until it is ready for shipment. In some instances, such as kiln-drying semifinished dimension, where several handling operations occur is sequence, it is advisable to bundle to facilitate handling. Whenever stock is bundled for kiln drying it is customary to place stickers in the interior of the bundle to increase the rate of drying. The handling cost incident to loading and unloading small dimension stock is definitely decreased by bundling; also by a more compact loading for shipment than is possible with loose stock.

The customer's point of view regarding securely bundled dimension stock is not often considered. This might be called the psychological or sales angle and, from the consumer's standpoint, means

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greater efficiency in handling incoming stock. Handling and sorting a carload of loose dimension, or a carload in which a large number of bundles have been broken open and thoroughly mixed in loading and in transit, is an expensive and exasperating operation. Carefully loaded, securely bundled small dimension stock creates a favorable impression with the customer and helps to insure continued sales.

Ready-cut stock may be tied with any one of several materials. Express cord, binding twine or lath yarn, wire, and steel strapping are all used and each has advantages under certain conditions.

FIGURE 17.-Bundling ready-cut dimension stock with steel
strapping. A hand-operated ratchet is being used

Binding twine or similar material is the cheapest of the binders, but the use of this material often results in a loosely-tied bundle which is susceptible to breakage. Express cord is reported as being a more satisfactory binding material than twine or lath yarn. The use of some kind of cord is often necessary in tying such material as furniture stock, which has been carefully finished and which must be delivered without being marred. Bundling with twine and yarn is always done by hand. After a little experience laborers acquire a remarkable dexterity in this operation, and tying is accomplished at a very low cost.

Wire is sometimes used in tying rough dimension stock. The tendency is for wire to cut the material and therefore it can not be used on finished stock unless the stock is protected from direct contact with the wire. Wire tying is usually done by hand and is a slower but often more satisfactory method than binding with cord. Steel strapping is used by a large number of dimension mill operators and is probably the most satisfactory as well as the most expensive method of bundling. Although the cost of binding material and equipment is in excess of the cost of tying with binding cord or wire, many manufacturers consider the additional expense justified because of secure binding and the enhanced appearance of the finished bundle.

FIGURE 18.-Loose dimension stock is difficult to load. Loading and unloading this car will require more time, labor, and care than if the stock had been properly bundled

The common method of bundling with steel strapping involves the use of a hand-operated ratchet for the purpose of tightening the strapping. After being tightened the strapping is held in place with fasteners. It has been reported that a foot operated ratchet has also been used for this type of bundling with very satisfactory

results.

It is common practice to tie stock into the largest convenient size for a 1-man bundle. If the stock is of a large size, it is bound into bundles which require two men for handling. Stock which is very small is usually counted and placed in burlap bags for shipment.

STORAGE BEFORE SHIPMENT

FIGURE 19.-Storing kiln-dried small dimension stock. Kiln-dried stock which is awaiting shipment, fabrication, or assembly should be stored in a heated building in which the humidity is controlled. A properly controlled atmosphere in the storage room will keep the stored material at a desired moisture content

FIGURE 20.-Kiln-dried small dimension stock should be well protected from the rain and moisture during shipment.

door openings are covered with paper

The interior of this freight car and the

It is not generally understood that wood may be held at any desired moisture content by controlling the temperature and humidity of a heated storeroom. Those manufacturers of small dimension stock who wish to obtain complete information on this subject are referred to Seasoning, Handling, and Care of Lumber (manufacturers' edition), by the national committee on wood utilization.

LOADING

There are many different systems of loading. Each system has advantages and disadvantages, and each is probably adaptable to a certain type of operation. An outline of a typical method of bundling and loading is given in the following paragraph.

The stock comes from the mill loaded on factory trucks and identified as to order number, size, and other necessary information. It is placed in bundling racks by a bundler's helper who stencils the bundles while they are being tied with steel strapping. The bundler piles all bundles together which apply on the same order. When an order is completed, a car is spotted at the loading shed, the bundles loaded on factory trucks, checked, and loaded into the car.

Very little attention is given to the question of loading cars to various capacities. Some operators have found it advisable to use cars of a large size and to load these cars to maximum capacity. Other operators believe that it is inadvisable to load a car to maximum capacity because of increased handling costs. It is obvious that cars should be loaded to at least minimum weight. Apparently there is no reduction in freight charges in loading above this weight. However, many customers like to receive large cars which may be used for reshipment.