What are the main methods of sawing timber covered in this guide?

The primary methods are plain sawing (or flat sawing), quarter sawing, and rift sawing, each yielding different grain patterns and board characteristics (Clause 4).

Why is quarter sawing often preferred for high-quality furniture and flooring?

It produces boards that are more dimensionally stable, less prone to warping and cupping, and feature an attractive vertical grain pattern (Clause 4.3).

What is 'saw kerf' and why is it important?

Kerf is the width of material removed by the saw blade during a cut. Minimizing kerf by using thinner, well-maintained blades increases the overall yield of usable timber from a log (Clause 6).

What safety measure is emphasized before sawing a log?

The log must be thoroughly inspected and cleaned of any dirt, grit, or foreign objects like metal to prevent blade damage and potential injury to the operator (Clause 7).

IS 9576

: 1980

Guide for mill sawing of timber

CurrentSpecializedGuidelinesMaterials Science · Timber and Timber Stores

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This standard serves as a guide for the mill sawing of timber, outlining principles for the efficient and economical conversion of logs into lumber. It covers different sawing patterns like plain and quarter sawing, considerations for log characteristics, guidance on saw blades, and essential safety precautions for sawmill operations.

Guide for mill sawing of timber

Quick Reference Values

Typical saw kerf allowance3 to 6 mm

Recommended dimensional tolerance for sawn timber± 1.5 mm

Maximum bow or spring tolerance per meter length5 mm

Recommended minimum blade tensioning for band sawsVaries by blade width and thickness

General feed speed for hardwood sawing5 to 15 m/min

Practical Notes

Quarter sawing produces more dimensionally stable timber with better grain appearance but results in more wastage compared to plain sawing.

Always inspect logs for embedded foreign objects like nails, stones, or metal before sawing to prevent severe damage to the saw blade and ensure operator safety.

Proper maintenance, sharpening, and tensioning of saw blades are critical for achieving dimensional accuracy, good surface finish, and maximizing timber yield.