Question
I saw mostly oak and hickory for my own use with a WoodMizer LT15. When I quarter saw or rift saw I usually rip boards from the center out. In other words, an 18" diameter tree will provide 9" wide boards or smaller. I have read that the center of the log is oldest and might have defects so that's why it becomes an edge. But I also notice if I see fence posts, deck boards, or larger landscape timbers at the home center they are frequently from the center part of the tree. When do I use the center and when do I not?
Forum Responses
(Sawing and Drying Forum)
From contributor Y:
Boxing the heart of SYP or other softwoods when producing pressure treated lumber is very different than trying to saw for grade in hardwoods. I used to include the pith in hardwood boards when I first started sawing and the defects that occurred during and after drying we impressive, to say the least. You might try it and see for yourself. I have seen large boards rip themselves apart.
I don't sell blanks with pith running parallel with the blank that will be in the finished item. I allow pith on the corners of large pepper mill blanks where they will be turned out. For boards I treat hardwood pith the same as Contributor Y, I saw it out of all my boards. There's no reason to have it and you just invite defects by keeping it.
I should mention that my son makes cabinets and other furniture, so short or narrower is not a problem. After kilning , and when he goes to use it any bad bits go in his furnace.
