CONVERSION OF WOOD

There are various methods for conversion of wood. One of them is sawing of
timber. It is defined as,
SAWING OF TIMBER

Sawn timber is timber that is cut from logs into different shapes and sizes. Sawn timber
is generally cut into varying rectangular widths and lengths, but may also be
wedge shaped. Common sawn timber products include solid timber beams and more
rectangular timber sections.

METHODS OF SAWING TIMBER

1. ORDINARY OR FLAT SAWING

2. TANGENTIAL SAWING

3. RADIAL SAWING

4. QUARTER OR RIFT SAWING

5. COMBINATION SAWING

ORDINARY OR FLAT SAWING

Flat sawing, flitch sawing or plain sawing is a woodworking process that

produces flat cut or plain cut boards of timber.THE LOG IS MOVED BACKWORD AND
FORWARD ON A SAW WHICH CUTS PARALLEL SLICES OR PLANKS. DIFFERENT
THICKNESS CAN BE OBTAINED BY VARRYING THE WIDTH OF CUTTING.

APPEARANCE

The growth rings have the most extreme angles are should be within the range of
0 to 30 degrees. The length of the board will have a unique look referred to as
cathedral or arrow.

ADVANTAGES

 Shrinks and swells less in thickness

  Surface appearance less affected by round or oval knots compared to effect of spike
knots in quarter sawn boards; boards with round or oval knots not as weak as boards
with spike knots
 Shakes and pitch pockets, when present, extend through fewer boards
 Figure patterns resulting from annual rings and some other types of figure brought out
more conspicuously
 Is less susceptible to collapse in drying
 Costs less because it is easy to obtain

Drawbacks

As the wood dries and ages, the tension of the tangential grain can make plain sawn
planks cup, twist and sometimes bow. They also tend to absorb more moisture from the air
which can also lead to unwanted movement.Flat sawn boards can be a disadvantage
when used for applications such as treads on a staircase, as they can flex or bend
when under pressure.

APPLICATIONS

Common applications include hardwood flooring and decorative shelving among

others.