LUMBERMENOnline.com’s Latest Industry News & Articles

The American Wood Council (AWC) has released a new workbook titled Design of Wood Frame Buildings for High Wind, Snow, and Seismic Loads (2012 WFCM Workbook) providing a design example and typical checklist for a wood-frame structure in accordance with the 2012 Wood Frame Construction Manual (WFCM) for One- and Two- Family Dwellings. The free workbook is available on the AWC website. The workbook uses plans from a two-story residence as the basis for a structural design to resist high wind, seismic and snow loads. All three loading conditions are evaluated in the example to show the broad range of the WFCM applicability. The 2012 WFCM is referenced for proper design in both the 2012 International Residential Code and the 2012 International Building Code. Roughly half of the United States have adopted these 2012 codes, including five states with high seismic loads and nine Atlantic and Gulf Coast states that have high winds. “Newer research allows for better prediction of forces from earthquakes and high winds,” said AWC President & CEO Robert Glowinski. “This research resulted in the inclusion of new performance criteria in building codes for wood construction, offering an increased level of protection against the threats of natural disasters to make buildings more resilient, sustainable and livable for generations. The WFCM Workbook takes users through a solved example of these new design requirements.” For more information, contact Buddy Showalter at [email protected]. The American Wood Council (AWC) is the voice of North American wood products manufacturing, representing over 75 percent of an industry that provides more than 360,000 men and women with family-wage jobs. AWC members make products that are essential to everyday life from a renewable resource that absorbs and sequesters carbon. Staff experts develop state-of-the-art engineering data, technology, and standards for wood products to assure their safe and efficient design, as well as provide information on wood design, green building, and environmental regulations. AWC also advocates for balanced government policies that affect wood products.

In recognition of National Forest Products Week (October 19 – 25), the American Wood Council (AWC) today released a statement about the sustainable benefits of wood materials and its important role in the U.S. economy. Currently, forest products support more than 1 million direct jobs and contributes $100 billion to the U.S. gross domestic product. And with the global marketplace for green building materials expected to reach $529 billion by 2020, support is growing for the use of wood in construction. “The halls of Washington, D.C. have been echoing with support for wood as a building material. This encouragement coupled with the growing green construction trend illustrates the importance and recognition of the inherent benefits of wood building materials in construction,” said AWC President and CEO Robert Glowinski. “National Forest Products Week is a time for us to celebrate and discuss the economic role of wood products in our country, as well as the function of sustainable forestry in mitigating the atmospheric carbon contributing to buildup of greenhouse gases.” As a leader in the North American wood products industry, AWC is providing resources for professionals to gather information on the important role of forest products. Activities encouraged by AWC in recognition of National Forest Products Week include: • Greenbuild International Conference and Expo: As part of the wood pavilion at Greenbuild – the world’s largest green building conference being hosted in New Orleans this week (Oct. 22-24) – the American Wood Council is discussing green building codes and environmental product declarations (EPDs) for wood products at the reThink Wood Showcase booth, #2539. With a recent shift for more prescriptive-based green building codes and rating systems, the EPDs offer a standardized format for building designers and construction professionals to convey how wood products perform based on life cycle assessment (LCA). • Letter to Editor: Celebrating National Forest Products Week, AWC has developed a letter that can be submitted to publications and grow awareness for the environmental and economic benefits of wood products. The letter is available for download at http://www.awc.org/forestproductsweek.php, which supporters are encouraged to share with media. • Social Media: Join others recognizing forest products this week by using the #CelebrateFP hashtag on Facebook and Twitter. Share how forest products are a valuable part of your daily life. Additional information on the role of wood products in North America, environmental advantages and EPDs are available from AWC at www.awc.org.

The Southern Forest Products Association (SFPA) Board of Directors elected its 2015 slate of officers during its recent Annual Meeting in Charleston, South Carolina. They are Chairman Scott Vande Linde of West Fraser, Germantown, Tennessee; Vice Chairman William Almond of Almond Brothers Lumber Company, Coushatta, Louisiana; Treasurer Doug Warstler of Canfor Southern Pine, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; and Immediate Past Chairman Tom Rice of Conner Industries, Fort Worth, Texas. The board also reelected Tami Kessler as Executive Director. The officers assume their new roles immediately. “As our industry continues to rebuild, I look forward to working with the excellent staff at SFPA,” Vande Linde said. “Our association is a strong voice in the industry, and I hope to build on that strength as we continue activities through the coming year,” he added.

Connexus Industries has been producing lasers for the lumber mill industry for 30 + years. Originally the focus was on RED laser lines but a few years back they began producing GREEN lasers. The company quickly realized that green lasers were far more visible in sawmills and began to refine their technology. Currently the company sets the industry standard with their Laharco & Laser Blazer green (and red) high powered lasers. This year they have been able to substantially increase the life span and visibility of their lasers while bringing down the price significantly. The company vows to continue making their products improved and more affordable.

RENS NEW HAND HELD METAL DETECTOR RENS new hand held metal detector addresses the desired improvements by our customers. First, it is weather resistant. Essentially you can be in a rain storm and not worry about the unit being affected or damaged. We don’t want to encourage folks to try and detect metal under water or store outside so we don’t use the terminology “water-proof”. The unit is completely adjustable in terms of length and angles. The telescoping handle can be extended to bring the entire length to 4’. The head can be tilted and turned to any angle. The end-handle tilts eliminating the need to “bend” the shaft, helping make the new unit very ergonomic. The new unit utilizes a fusion of the best analog and digital technologies and the sensitivity can be controlled. The “old” P4000 was self-calibrating. Now the user can re-calibrate as needed with a touch of a button. The sensitivity on the new unit is controlled by pushing the up and down arrows. With the P4000 the maximum sensitivity is a 5penny nail at 9 1/2”. For the new model that’s the base or medium sensitivity. The new unit can be adjusted to be more or less sensitive then the base setting. So far our tests indicate a 5penny nail can be detected at 14” on high (we will be conducting more tests and refining the control board). Other new features include internalizing the cord and making the capacitors on the head accessible. The capacitors on the P4000 are fiber glassed into the head so if they are damaged you have to replace the head which is not cost effective. Now we can access the “caps” and replace them if necessary at a nominal cost. There was no display on the P4000 so detection is audible with a simple meter. A digital display replaces the meter, letting the user see an increasingly large bar on the screen with larger pieces of metal. There is also a permanent battery indicator which shrinks as the battery loses power. Battery life has tested out to 14 hours. Also, you can recharge it from a car lighter which will be extremely convenient out in the field. The display screen has various settings of brightness and is glare resistant. The unit is designed to be rugged and durable. In summation: the new unit is weather resistant, rugged, has higher sensitivity, is completely adjustable and ergonomic, the display is easy to read, the battery last longer and can be charged remotely, they are easily serviceable and highly dependable. There is both audible and visual detection indication. The unit includes a durable carry case, headphones, standard charger and car charger, shoulder strap and rechargeable battery. As an accessary we will offer “earmuff” headphones which attach directly to the users’ hard hat. CALL 1-800-367-9992 TO PRE-ORDER TODAY

We are now an authorized CID dealer. They manufacture high quality, dependable skid steer attachments, tractor loader attachments as well as specialty skid steer attachments. www.cidattachments.com Call us for unbeatable prices! 434-446-2401

Cooper Machine Company of Wadley, Georgia recently unveiled the new CooperMachine.com website. The new site offers current customers and potential buyers complete specifications, features, video, client testimonials and printable product information on every Cooper machine offered, plus details on high quality sawmill machinery and dry kilns represented by Cooper. At the new CooperMachine.com you’ll also find an up-to-date Used Machinery page to showcase Cooper trade-ins and reconditioned machines when available. Cooper Machine CEO Frances Cooper stated, “The new CooperMachine.com site, created by the design team at LumbermenOnline.com, will better serve Cooper sawmill, scragg mill and dry kiln customers worldwide and be much simpler to update and maintain insuring more accurate information.” Find out more about the complete line of Cooper products by visiting www.CooperMachine.com or call 478-252-5885.

S & S Manufacturing, Inc of Dorchester, Wisconsin, the parent company of Brute Force Brand firewood processors and wood stoves, recently unveiled a new website combining the New Brute Force 18-24HD firewood processor and the Brute Force line of wood stoves to a single website. The new site, bruteforcemfg.com was created by the team at LumbermenOnline.com, the sister company of LUMBERMEN’S Equipment Digest. The site features complete product information, specifications, video, dealer locator and more for both product lines. Also new to the site functionality is both New In-Stock and Trade-Ins to better serve their customer base. The decision to unify both product lines into a single site design has reduced costs and increased efficiency. Find out more about the Brute Force line of firewood product by visiting www.bruteforcemfg.com or call 715-550-1077

The Low Profile Pup (LPP) Trailer from Battle Wagon was a cooperative effort. The first one was custom built for Altenburg Hardwoods of Altenburg, Missouri to haul high quality veneer and grade logs, while retaining the ability to remove the bolsters to haul lumber or more easily load extremely large logs. An extra-long tongue was incorporated to haul maximum legal loads on interstate highways and meet state bridge laws. As a custom creation from the ground up, the LPP (Low Profile Pup) trailer was built to be driver friendly, strong and safe. Air ride suspension, low profile tires and all aluminum wheels reduce weight and lower the center of gravity for safety and stability. Attention to detail is evident in the design with the air dump gauge located at the front of the tongue, bolster straps were redesigned for easier access and safety. The rear bumper are is a remodeled version of the super strong and compact Battle Wagon rear bumper to reduce weight and maximize ground clearance. The bed pictured here features Battle Wagon Bunks and Bolsters with the headache rack, frame rails and final assembly completed by Altenburg Hardwoods personnel. For additional information on how Battle Wagon can help build your “dream trailer” call J.R. Buchan at 260-623-3322 or visit them online at battlewagontrailers.com

Aiken, SC – Hutto Wood Products has taken the ropes off shavings bagging by introducing the NEW Jumbo Bagger! You produce shavings in bulk, so don’t allow small bagging systems to slow you down. The Jumbo Bagger boasts a 70 cubic feet industrial, reusable bag which reduces wasted trips by delivering shavings and removing waste. Size and bulk aren’t the only attributes, the system also allows shavings to be stored green without drying, cutting costs and liability. The Jumbo Bagger can be built to fit your operation or sold in a package with any of Hutto’s shaving mills. Patrick Hutto, owner of Hutto Wood Products, says his goal is to come out with a new, innovative product each year. Last year the Hutto Mini Mill was a great success, and this year 2 innovative products were released, the Hutto Block Shaver and now the Jumbo Bagger. To see the all of Hutto’s equipment options, the Jumbo Bagger and to stay connected with what’s next, visit www.HWPShavers.com or call 803-564-7173 today!

Hurdle Machine Works, Inc. recently updated its website to better reflect its mission, values, and message. The website details the company's history and team, while showcasing its mills and machinery. Underlying it all is a focus on simple, dependable, and affordable sawmill products. Hurdle Machine Works was created in 1969 with a complete automatic sawmill, made from scratch, and ready to be installed in the woods. Over 450 complete mills later, the same philosophy of simple, productive sawmills has carried the company and its customers through good times and bad. During the 2008-2009 downturn, Hurdle sawmills gave many operations, big and small, a way to survive. Mill owners soon realized that the Hurdle sawmill was an efficient, affordable way to remain viable when markets were crashing. Being efficient and productive with low capital machinery costs allowed companies to be more versatile and adapt to changing markets faster than previously possible. The Hurdle sawmill can be configured for any size operation. The mill can be configured to cut cross ties, grade, or mat material. With over 40 years of design improvements, the Hurdle mill is a proven machine. As they say, "If you relentlessly pursue perfection, you will eventually catch excellence". Check out the website at www.hurdlemachineworks.com.

Effective 8/15/14, Frances Cooper is taking over as CEO of Cooper Machine. Frances graduated from the University of Georgia in 2004 with a BBA in Finance. She has experience in management, sales and marketing and has been using these skills at Cooper Machine since 2008. She will continue to use these skills to build on the solid foundation that her grandparents began in 1965. I would like to welcome Frances at this new position as she takes the helm as CEO of Cooper Machine. Thank you for your support as we continue to build a business focused on our customers and the innovative sawmill solutions needed for the sawmill industry. Robert Cooper, President