OVERRUN

The logs cut during the time the test was being made ranged between 8 and 19 inches, and the Scribner scale was used. The smaller the logs the greater the overrun. The overrun averaged between 50 and 55 per cent; but with greater attention to details, such as a more efficient system of sorting logs by top diameters in multiples of 1 inch and the application of the most economical sawing schedules, particularly with reference to the passing of each log through two gangs, an overrun of 60 per cent will undoubtedly be reached.

COST OF PRODUCTION

The cost of logs naturally varies, particularly where small logs are concerned, because often there is no market for this material on account of the difficulty of converting it into lumber at a profit and of high transportation charges. While in one instance these small logs may be worth from $10 to $14 per thousand feet, in other instances their value may be much less. This report is concerned only with the cost of operating the gang saws and is not taking the cost of raw material into account. It may, however, be well to state that, according to the management of the mill, this method of sawing small logs is cheaper and more satisfactory than any with which they have had experience, and that this mill has proved to be a sound and profitable business undertaking.

Under the conditions prevailing at the Olympia plant it was found that the labor cost involved in the operation, beginning with the sorting of the logs in the pond and ending with the piling of the lumber in the yard and loading for shipment by the help of the crane, was from $2 to $2.25 per thousand feet. Other expenses, such as supplies, power, and similar items, were from 50 to 60 cents per thousand feet. In this estimate no allowance was made for overhead, depreciation, and taxes. An important item affecting the cost of production is the large overrun which developed. This overrun, of course, varies from day to day. The smaller the log the greater the overrun. On an average 50 per cent overrun has developed through several weeks of operation. In addition, it was found that with an expenditure of about $12 a day approximately $40 worth of by-products could be produced from the sawmill waste in this particular instance. But this utilization of by-products naturally depends on many factors, and in parts of the country where sawmill waste is utilized for pulp purposes, for instance, the by-products' value may be materially increased.

COST OF GANG-SAW EQUIPMENT

One gang with its auxiliary equipment-log haul with chain, log kicker, front and rear carriage drives and unloader for sawed lumber-cost approximately $12,500, making a total for the two gangs of $25,000. The foundations for the two gangs cost $2,000; installation, $800; and electric motor, $800, making a total for the two gangs installed of $28,600.

The cost of the mill structure itself, naturally, depends on local conditions. Where facilities are available, these gangs may be installed in an existing sawmill at approximately the figure given.

CONCLUSIONS

The Scandinavian gang saws installed at the Tumwater Lumber Mills Co. plant at Olympia, Wash., have proved that the conversion of small logs between 8 and 20 inches in top diameter and of low grade is profitable, because of the economy in operation offered by this type of gang saw, the very large saving in raw material, and the smoothness and accuracy of the cut.

Judging from present results, these saws seem to have proved entirely satisfactory in the general scheme of a closer utilization of wood, which will help in promoting commercial reforestation.

European lumber of common grades cut from small timber has been imported in increasing quantities into America for a number of years. This lumber is gang sawed in accordance with the Scandinavian system. Inasmuch as the labor cost in connection with gang sawing is a relatively small item, the use of gang saws in America will enable our sawmills to supply this domestic demand, because our stumpage values are lower than those in most European countries.

Furthermore, a demand for American gang-sawed lumber will also be developed abroad where much attention is paid to the accuracy of manufacture. Already an important foreign outlet has been secured.

It is also hoped that this gang-sawed lumber will replace poorly manufactured circular-sawed lumber, both from the point of view of its greater usefulness to the ultimate consumer and its effect on a closer utilization of our lumber resources.

Because little or no trouble is experienced with miscuts or poorly manufactured stock, gang-sawed lumber will promote American lumber standards. It is therefore planned to continue these tests in the near future in the southern and middle western parts of the country.

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