Figuring board foot cost

[lwhughes149]

For those of us who don't understand, would someone explain how we would figure out board foot in a purchase of lumber?
Lorraine

[Makinsawdust]

Here's the calculation:
Length in inches x width in inches x thickness in inches divided by 144 = Board feet.

[lwhughes149]

Would you give me an example please? If I see 4/4 walnut cost 4.35 what does that mean? A 4/4 I understand will plane up to about 13/16'. I wasn't good in math in high school, can you tell?

[DaveO]

A board foot is a square foot of wood 1" thick. A 12" long board that's 12" wide and 4/4 (or 1" thick when rough sawn or 4 ¼") is one board foot.
The quarter scale is different than the board foot measurement. The quarter scale is a measure of thickness based roughly on ¼" increments, although many sawyers cut their 4/4 at around 1 & 1/8" thick. 4/4 should plane flat at 3/4", 8/4 should plane flat at 1½" thick or greater.
If you are calculating the board footage for a project and you are going to be working with ¾" stock once planed, just count it as 4/4 for your calculations. Add up the length and width of all pieces for the project, and add 10-20% for waste and you will have a good aproximation of the board footage you need to buy for the project.
HTH,
Dave

[lwhughes149]

Thanks guys, I have it now. I also AskJeeves and got a calculator placed in my favorites. Lorraine

[jeff...]

Originally Posted by DaveO

A board foot is a square foot of wood 1" thick. A 12" long board that's 12" wide and 4/4 (or 1" thick when rough sawn or 4 ¼") is one board foot.
The quarter scale is different than the board foot measurement. The quarter scale is a measure of thickness based roughly on ¼" increments, although many sawyers cut their 4/4 at around 1 & 1/8" thick. 4/4 should plane flat at 3/4", 8/4 should plane flat at 1½" thick or greater.
If you are calculating the board footage for a project and you are going to be working with ¾" stock once planed, just count it as 4/4 for your calculations. Add up the length and width of all pieces for the project, and add 10-20% for waste and you will have a good aproximation of the board footage you need to buy for the project.
HTH,
Dave

Get started on that book yet Dave? Man you have such a way of explaining things, that makes it easy to understand...

Thanks

[clowman]

Here's you another calculator. But you really should know the theory behind it. when you are at the lumber yard, make sure they are "calculating" for you correctly. I have caught what would have been costly mistakes before.

Another BF Calculator

[junquecol]

A lot of places add 7% for shrinkage during drying, and 17% for straight lining (Wurth Group). Hardwood store in Gibsonville does net- you pay for what you got. So, if one place is a lot cheaper per board foot, ask how they figure the board footage.