Giving you the Edge in Business

Log Scaling References

1. Doyle, Edward, The Improved Pocket Reckoner, Second Edition (1837) Here is the PDF
Second Doyle Reckoner. The first was published in 1825 (I think), but I have not found a digital copy

2. Doyle, Edward, The Improved Pocket Reckoner (1847) Here is the PDF

3. Doyle, Edward, The Improved Pocket Reckoner (1853) Here is the PDF

4. Scribner, John, Scribner's Ready Reckoner and Log Book (1866) Here is the PDF
Second Scribner Ready Reckoner and Log Book. The first was published in 1846 (I think), but I have not found a digital copy

5. Scribner, John, Scribner's Lumber and Log Book (1876)
Here is one PDF
Here is another PDF
This is the book where the Publisher (G.W. Fisher) replaced the Original Scribner table with the Doyle table. Both of the PDF's are copies published in Ontario around 1882, but I believe they are basically reprints of the 1876 Edition.

6. Scribner, John, Scribner's Lumber and Log Book (1882) Here is a PDF
Again, this is the book where the Publisher (G.W. Fisher) replaced the Original Scribner table with the Doyle table. This is also the edition where the table was expanded, but also where the "author" introduced a change requiring that the diameter be measured as the average of the top and butt diameters in lieu of the small end only: "It is customary in measuring logs to take the diameter in the middle of the log inside the bark. This is obtained by taking the diameter at each end of the log. adding them together and dividing by 2."

7. Scribner, John, Scribner's Lumber and Log Book (1911) Here is a PDF
Again, this is the book where the Publisher (G.W. Fisher) replaced the Original Scribner table with the Doyle table. This is basically a reprint of the 1882 book and was published by S.E. Fisher who was G.W. Fisher's daughter (I believe).

8. Graves, Henry Solon, The Woodman's Handbook (USFS Bulletin 36) (1903) Here is a PDF
This book has the expanded 36' Scribner Table. No Decimal C.

9. Graves, Henry Solon, and Ziegler, E.A. The Woodman's Handbook (USFS Bulletin 36) (1910) Here is a PDF
Second Edition of the The Woodman's Handbook. 36' Scribner Table replaced with 20' Decimal C Table. Curt rebuke of the Doyle Rule: "The important feature of the formula is that the width of slab is always uniform, regardless of the size of the log. This waste allowance is altogether too small for large logs and is excessive for small ones. The principle is mathematically incorrect, for the product of perfect logs of different sizes follows an entirely different mathematical law, and it is, therefore, astonishing that this incorrect rule, which gives wrong results for both large and small logs, should have so general a use."

10. Graves, Henry Solon Forest Mensuration (1906) Here is a PDF

11. Chapman, Herman Haupt Forest Mensuration (1924) Here is a PDF

12. Cary, Austin A Manual for Northern Woodsmen (1918) Here is a PDF
Good set of Scale Tables: Maine, Spaulding, British Columbia, New Bruswick, Quebec, International, Doyle, 20' Decimal C

13. Clark, Judson F. The Measurement of Sawlogs in the Forestry Quarterly, IV (1906) Here is a PDF
"The English speaking peoples the world over have earned an unenviable distinction for non-progressiveness in matters concerning weights and measures. This reputation is, I think, somewhat more than sustained so far as concerns the measurement of saw logs and other round timbers."

14. McKenzie, H. E. A Discussion of Log Rules (1915) Here is a PDF
Really good analytical analysis of Log Rules.

15. Reveal, Jack, and Wallen, Arnold The Redwood Forest Handbook (1948) Here is a PDF
Good Spaulding, Humboldt Tables
"The Spaulding rule is the statute log rule of California. It was constructed by N. W. Spaulding in 1878 from diagrams of logs measuring 10 to 96 inches in diameter. An 11/32 - inch saw - kerf and 1-inch lumber was assumed. The size of the slab was varied according to the size of the log . This error of construction gives an over-run for large logs . The table is prepared for logs from 12 to 24 feet long. Longer logs are scaled by doubling the value in the table. By doing this, taper in logs is again ignored. This feature is the most serious defect in the rule. There is considerable over-run when the modern band saw is used, because of the large saw-kerf used in the rule.
The Spaulding rule is used throughout the redwood region either in its original form or as the Humboldt Log Rule.
The Humboldt log rule is the Spaulding scale less 30 percent. This rule was developed for use with old growth redwood to take care of the large amount of invisible defect. It is difficult to “scale out” defect in redwood logs so a blanket 30 percent deduction is made. In some areas where the amount of defect is small, a large over-run is secured. The Humboldt log rule has been used at times to scale Douglas Fir. This practice is not recommended as it is entirely practical to scale out defect in fir logs."

16. Belyea, Harold CForest Measurement (1931) Here is a PDF
"The [Doyle] rule is probably the least accurate log rule in common use. Its fundamental errors lie in deducting too great a proportion for slabbing and not enough for sawdust. Taper is entirely disregarded. The result of this is that the rule shows great inconsistency with the amount that can actually be sawed out. For logs 6 inches in top diameter the mill tally overruns the log tally by 400 to 480 per cent. At 9 inches top, the overrun is approximately 100 per cent; at 12 inches, 50 per cent; and at 20 inches, 20 per cent. The overrun steadily diminishes until at 30 to 36 inches top the rule practically holds to the mill scale. Above this value there is a gradually increasing underrun."