FAS and Prime Timber

deema · 13 Jan 2014

I am wondering what Wood stated as being 'Prime' is? I have heard if FAS (Firsts and Seconds) but not 'Prime'. Is this an actual standard, and if so, does anyone know what the definition us?

Thanks

doctor Bob · 13 Jan 2014

2 different grading systems, FAS is an american grade, prime is similar but usually a far eastern grade..

marcros · 13 Jan 2014

Does prime have an actual standard like FAS?

Peter Sefton · 13 Jan 2014

As I understand it some English yards call some of their timber Prime, this should mean they have hand picked it themselves and they believe it is better than the rest of the stock, I am not sure that it's a standard but I could be wrong.
Cheers Peter

Rhossydd · 13 Jan 2014

I think it's been linked to previously on UKWorkshop, but if you haven't seen it before the following document from the Forestry Commission is worth a read
http://www.forestry.gov.uk/pdf/MTG-WEB. ... TG-WEB.pdf
It makes no specific mention of 'Prime' so I suspect is one of those vague terms used by merchants to denote their better quality timber without having to conform to a defined standard.

Sgian Dubh · 13 Jan 2014

Rhossydd":2ce0ciqd said:
I think it's been linked to previously on UKWorkshop, but if you haven't seen it before the following document from the Forestry Commission is worth a read
http://www.forestry.gov.uk/pdf/MTG-WEB. ... TG-WEB.pdf
It makes no specific mention of 'Prime' so I suspect is one of those vague terms used by merchants to denote their better quality timber without having to conform to a defined standard.

It is worth a read as you say but Davies and Watt's guidelines do not seem to be widely adopted, and sawmills and timber merchants tend define their own grading system.

FAS (First and Seconds) is part of the North American grading system. Initial assessment of both sides of the board determine which is the best side and then the grading is allocated by reading the poorest side. The board must yield at least 83-1/3% (10/12’ths) of clear pieces as determined by assessing the worst side. The better side therefore yields even more clear cuts. The minimum board size to go into this grade is 8’ long by 6” wide. Clear cuts achievable from a board of this size, or longer and wider must yield pieces that are at minimum 7’ long by 3” wide, or 5’ long by 4” wide. Slainte.