Okay.
I have a tally stick. I acquired it in the mid 80’s but I’m guessing it is from the 40’s or early 50’s. It was made by the Cleveland rule company. It is 3ft long, about 1/8″ thick and
appears to be made of ash.
One end is a brass head that is football shaped and, when viewed horizontally has 4 rows stamped vertically 16, 14, 10, and 12. Flipped over the same portion of the brass head reads 15, 13, 11, and 9. (The obvious assumption is they refer to quarter stock).
The length of the stick has 4 rows of horizontal stamped numbers that read from left to right, 1, 2, 3, etc. apportioned differently similar to a drafting scale.
As an apprentice, i remember my boss (God rest his sole) using this stick as we unloaded lumber trucks. Because Honduras mahogany was getting pricey at almost 5 bucks a board foot for 8/4 (yeah no kidding), he was intent on not getting fleeced by the lumber provider and was obviously “tallying” the board foot.
Question is…
Can anyone out there explain to me how to read it?. I have been told that it isn’t as much for measuring milled bd. ft. as it is for green logs but my old boss was not a fool and i can’t imagine him wasting his time using it if he didn’t know what he was doing.
Then again…he did a good job of suckering me into the trade!….
All thoughts appreciated
Jeff
Replies
There was an article on this in one of the woodworking magazines very recently....
The number labels on the rows (16, 14, etc.) represent the length of the board. They tell you which row is appropriate for the particular board in question that you're measuring. The numbered marks on each row give the bd ft in the board, assuming 4/4 thickness. So, let's say you have a board that's 12' long (you use the 12 scale) and 1" thick (so the bd ft are read directly). Now you lay your stick across the face of the board, and you find that the width of the board is halfway between the 8 and 9 marks. You have 8-1/2 bd ft in that board.
If the board is other than 1" thick, you multiply or divide the result accordingly.
-Steve
Thanks Steve, that explains it quite well.
Steve
I would add that way back in 7th grade shop when learning about board feet we were taught that anything less than 1" thick rough sawn was calculated as 1". Don't know if this still holds true everywhere but it still does at the mills in this area. Reason being there is more time involved even though there is less product.
RichThe Professional Termite
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