Creating Lumber Stacks

[wazzou]

This sounds like a good candidate for a 3D printed jig.

[chuck geiger]

Bryan thanks!

[cv_acr]

Just FYI, for quite a long time now, ALS (American Lumber Standard) unit sizes have been 24” H x 48” W.
That’s not to say that some mills didn’t deviate from that, particularly in lower grade, random length lumber or in earlier eras.

Bundles 2' tall will stack 5 rows on a centerbeam flatcar. 2 1/2' tall will stack 4 rows on a flatcar. (The most common I see around here.) I've also seen some mills load 3 rows on a centerbeam, which would be something like 3 1/2' tall bundles. This is much less common.

4' wide is pretty standard and that's what will load a centerbeam.

[chuck geiger]

I am surrendering to the https://www.rslaserkits.com/3520-Assorted-Lumber-Stacks_p_3873.html

[davefoxx]

I am surrendering to the https://www.rslaserkits.com/3520-Assorted-Lumber-Stacks_p_3873.html

Heh.  Don't feel bad; that's what I would probably do, too. 

DFF

[chuck geiger]

Also found these:

https://trainlife.com/products/n-scale-laser-cut-lumber-loads-kit?variant=5928565342237&currency=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&utm_campaign=gs-2018-11-19&utm_source=google&utm_medium=smart_campaign&gclid=Cj0KCQjwwNWKBhDAARIsAJ8HkhcEm_1ts_BXc9BziEzDipJ1MR9K37DAvsDBFn49zcm7ShW9ExVHUhMaAiTLEALw_wcB

[chuck geiger]

I am going back in this week with proper materials. Stand by!

[chuck geiger]

Beta test...It will get better....The painters tape might be too thick for N. Will try scotch tape next. Gorilla glue to the rescue for the stacks.
This is a cheap water color pad for the painted ends. Will use acrylics on next stack. I got a chart of the colors and size they represent.

"We used color to designate length. I can still remember ; white=6', yellow=8', green=10', blue=12', black=16' loading"

[wazzou]

"We used color to designate length. I can still remember ; white=6', yellow=8', green=10', blue=12', black=16' loading"

Interesting.  I've never heard of that. 
The entire reason the ends are painted is in an effort try to seal them to prevent end checking.
In the PNW, red is by far the most common followed distantly by green from a couple of mills.

[chuck geiger]

I found that on Google. It also said to seal the wood.

[Chris333]

It's so you know what piece of strip wood to use in your kit 

[wazzou]

I found that on Google.

Oh, well then it has to be true.    

[chuck geiger]

Why do they paint the ends of lumber?

Moisture evaporates more quickly through porous end-grain than through edge-grain. When this happens, the ends of the board shrink in width faster than the center, and the board cracks as the center resists movement. Sealing the end-grain with paint or wax equalizes board shrinkage and avoids splits. May 18, 1990

https://sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?216432-Wood-Paint-do-colors-mean-anything

[wazzou]

Why do they paint the ends of lumber?

Moisture evaporates more quickly through porous end-grain than through edge-grain. When this happens, the ends of the board shrink in width faster than the center, and the board cracks as the center resists movement. Sealing the end-grain with paint or wax equalizes board shrinkage and avoids splits. May 18, 1990

https://sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?216432-Wood-Paint-do-colors-mean-anything

Chuck, I was kidding about the different colors for different lengths.

I’ve been in the lumber business for 26 years, starting in the business as a salesman for a sawmill.
I moved on to wholesaling in 1998 and have owned my own brokerage since 2009.
I do know the purpose of Red end seal.   

[chuck geiger]

Ha HA Bryan
https://uccoatings.com/products/gempaint/