The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1924-05-22


men simply 20 around 1t. This
, method permits the utilization OF
nearly all the wood, the scrap being
extremely small. The various parts
are then cut out with a high speed
band saw.
Under conventional methods the
, proportion of board feet in body
= parts by actual measurement to the
wood content of the entire tree Is
distressingly low One-third OF the
tree 1.-THE limbs and top) is wasted
before the log gets to the mill. Only
ISIS to 60 per cent of the log Is actually
converted into body parts.
A sample tree was cut up into
body parts under the new method
and the results compared with the
amount of parts which the OLD
method of edging and saving would
have given. The results were SO
startling that the system was put
into effect at the various Ford plants
as soon as possible.
The tree gave two irregularly
shaped logs which scaled 238 board
feet. There were also a number or
branches and the top. The best use
that could be found for those under
conventional numbering methods
would be to send them thru the wood
distillation plant. Instead they were
sawed up and marked for parts
saving.
After the logs mad been sawed by
the Ford method and the patterns
llaid out, the planks were measured
up according to the boards which
could be obtained under the old
edging and trimming method and the
number of available parts In each
computed All parts were reduced
to board feet in actual lumber con-
tent. The edging and trimming
method gave 1877 board feet OF body
parts. Under the Ford system the
same planks yielded 204, a gain of
seventy-seven board feet or 80 per
cent. The limbs and top, hitherto
considered worthless except for dis
tillation or fuel, gave ITO board feet
obtainable under the old method.
From now on all hardwood limbs
and tops not under four inches in
diameter will be brought to the Ford
mills. Another saving possible under
the new system is in the logging OPP
erations. Much timber has been
sacrificed in an effort to get straight
logs of standard length. Trees have
been cut off at height of from two
to three feet in order to avoid the
swell at the butt. They now may be
sawn six inches from the ground. 1t
is no longer necessary to avoid the
crotch of a tree. The shape of the
planks is of no consequence.
The body parts produced under
this method are superior to those
sawn out of edged and trimmed
boards as the grain may be followed
more advantageously. This is espec-
tally true of curved parts, large
number of which are found in body
construction.
Much of the youngest and best
wood in the tree was wasted under
the edging method, but this is now
completely salvaged. Not only are
more parts obatinable from tree,
but better parts as well.
This practice of cutting the parts
to rough shape while the wood Is
still green has also simplified the
whole process of kiln drying, reduc-
ing the spoilage to a noticeable de-
gree and shortening the time required
by approximately ten days. The old
time numbering and wood workers,
who freely predicted that the new
system would break down at the
were rather chagrined to find that
the parts were formerly sawed.
1t has been estimated that this
new system will make the Ford
forests last one-third longer, possibly
II proper methods Of re-
are followed. A young
and vigorous growth of timber is
coming up and these trees
will not have to reach full maturity
before they become available for
body parts manufacture.
In the interests Of forest conserva-
ion the Ford Motor company makes
public the new method, and it is
Hoped that other companies will take
advantage of the economies offered.
t would be conversational measure
Il national Importance II saw mill op-
'rators instead of saving boards
would saw complete parts or dimen-
ional stock. Automobile body COM
'anies, furniture factories and other
wood working industries could have
heir parts made right at the mill,
hus making an enormous saving in
lumber, in addition to which they
you'd profit by lower freight rates.
uo 6cucIdl SCueuo OI Cn6 system is
UNIVERSAL in its application.
To the Ford Motor company it has
cen found unusually profitable be-
ause the company controls every
tep in the manufacture of body parts
rom the standing timber to the as
emily line. Here are four industries
sually separate and distince. %
ogging. (2) Saw Mills. 60 Dry
-ilns. (4) Body Shop to which may
g added 60 the Wood Distillation
liant at Iron Mountain, Mich. They
re all united under one MANAGEMENT
18th but one end in view.
AS the company's timber REQUIRE
tents have already reached one mil
on feet day the possible savings
nder this new system may be esti-
lated at several hundred thousand
,et daily. But more important
Ill, 1t appears to have insured a
supply of wooden body
arts at time when the disappear
e hardwood forests were a matter
PUBIC concern. adv.