Shopsmith Forums

Shopsmith Board Feet Calculator on one side and Shopsmith Miter Finder on the other from back in 1981 (AK-0893).

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Ed

I'd love to have a scan of that disassembled so I could print it and assemble my own.

shipwright wrote:I bet they refer to it as 1X8 and that makes 1.5 fbm (I think, but I am getting old) add a few taxes and the gift wrapping and bingo =$12.78 !

Paul M

After reading all the posts re the board feet I got, I had to QC check exactly what I got. Shipwright's correct in that they calculate based on a nominal 1" x 8" according to National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA) guidelines. That's clearly stated on both their price sheet and my invoice.

I asked for 'a couple feet' so I assumed I'd get 2. Well the cutters 'couple' feet was actually 2.625' (31-1/2") which worked out to exactly 1.75 B.F. He probably rounded up my 'couple' feet. to comply with some other NHLA guideline!!! Who knows. Sooooo, 1.75B.F. x $7.30/B.F. = $12.78. (I also noticed that I got a 'contractors' discount. Must have been my good looks.

mickyd wrote:I also noticed that I got a 'contractors' discount. Must have been my good looks.

Or like a pusher, he's seeing a good future client and is helping to get you hooked;)

mickyd wrote:Just got back from lumber heaven....Frost's Hardwood & Lumber Company here in SD. Huge place. Saw enough mahogany to made a dozen Chris Crafts!!!

They ID'ed the lumber I got from mrcabinetmaker as an African mahogany called 'sepele' (sap-pell-lee). Sound right Mark?

I was surprised how cheap the wood was. I thought it would be a lot more that it was. It sold for $7.30/B.F. Got a piece that was 25/32"T x 7"W x 24"L for $12.78. That will be plenty to finish up.

As I recall, Mark identified it as 'African Mahogany'.

Last I knew BF was 'calculated' from the rough cut dimensions(i.e. 1x4 not .75x3.5.

Assuming the same 1/8" 'dressed' shrinkage, mike's piece is 1 x 7.25 x 24.25 = 175.81 in² / 144(12x12x1) = 1.22 bf.

12.78 / 7.3 = 1.75.

Either the price($7.30) was per sq ft or the 'yard' either figured it wrong, or somebody there doesn't know how. I am betting the price is $7.30 per Square ft!

mickyd wrote:After reading all the posts re the board feet I got, I had to QC check exactly what I got. Shipwright's correct in that they calculate based on a nominal 1" x 8" according to National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA) guidelines. That's clearly stated on both their price sheet and my invoice.

I asked for 'a couple feet' so I assumed I'd get 2. Well the cutters 'couple' feet was actually 2.625' (31-1/2") which worked out to exactly 1.75 B.F. He probably rounded up my 'couple' feet. to comply with some other NHLA guideline!!! Who knows. Sooooo, 1.75B.F. x $7.30/B.F. = $12.78. (I also noticed that I got a 'contractors' discount. Must have been my good looks.

Details Details - They get ya every time you ignore them.

Was your 7" board actually 7.5"?(you did mistate the length!!!!!!)

A 1x8 is 2/3 bd ft /ln ft. 2/3 x (31.5 / 12) = 1.75

They 'snarfed' 1/2" x 31.5 from you = .109 bf = $.80 = trivial!:)

JPG40504 wrote:Details Details - They get ya every time you ignore them.

Was your 7" board actually 7.5"?(you did mistate the length!!!!!!)

A 1x8 is 2/3 bd ft /ln ft. 2/3 x (31.5 / 12) = 1.75

They 'snarfed' 1/2" x 31.5 from you = .109 bf = $.80 = trivial!:)

Tis actually 7-1/4".

Found the PERFECT on-line board foot calculator that allows you to enter piece detail / qty and it converts the project into board feet needed and cost. I looked at a lot of calculators before finding this one. It is exactly what I was looking for. Here's a pdf printout of the output I got after inputing the Candle Lantern material list.
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The website is http://www.woodbin.com/calcs/tabulator.htm I know a simple Excel spreadsheet or Access database could get you close enough to the correct answer but this ones already done for you.

Congrats Mike. Now all you need is a program that spots defects, checked ends, "warehouse shrinkage", oops factor, bad grain and can plan..Ok if I take two of the short pieces and one of the long ones out of a 3" strip off the side and if I overlap the narrow ends of the tapers I can get two 29" pieces out of the 48' piece left over...etc. Good luck with all that. And a board foot is 12" wide, 12" long and 1" thick. The math ,no the arithmatic, is pretty simple. If you can't do board feet in your head, you likely can't find your computer. Just poking a bit of fun Mike.

Paul M

Ok show off....Quick...how many board feet of stock do you need to go buy to make 132 strips of 1-5/8"W x 3/8"T x 6-7/8"L from 6/4 hardwood and how much will that cost you at $11.32 per B.F.? If you want to spend the time doing that in you head, have at it. I'll use the calculator anytime.