Replies

1. 
   Glaucon | Nov 04, 2005 05:00pm | #1

   Maybe I'm missing something here, but it's a fairly straightforward formula... is there something in particular that you want it to do?

   Glaucon

   If you don't think too good, then don't think too much...

1. 
   JFink | Nov 04, 2005 05:04pm | #2

   I use an online calculator to estimate my projects...

   http://www.woodbins.com/calcs/footulator.htmJustin Fink - FHB Editorial

1. 
   MGKREIN | Nov 04, 2005 05:15pm | #4

   For some reason Yahoo was unable to find your website.Mgk

1. 
   JFink | Nov 04, 2005 05:19pm | #5

   I must have typed it wrong the first time. Try this:

   http://www.woodbin.com/calcs/footulator.htmJustin Fink - FHB Editorial

1. 
   MGKREIN | Nov 04, 2005 05:39pm | #6

   Thanks. that worked.

2. 
   MGKREIN | Nov 04, 2005 05:12pm | #3

   It was included in a cutlist form.

3. 
   ohcomeon | Nov 04, 2005 08:21pm | #7

   I'm w/ Glaucon; what is the point?  Every time you want to do so you need to go to your computer and find a link/application.  A calculator will do the same thing (and I do mean the EXACT same thing).

   Length x width x thickness (all in inches) divided by 144. 

   If you want a "software" program simply use XL.  Create a very simply sheet where you plug in the numbers and it will do the math for you.  No need to go online, download or purchase software, etc.

1. 
   John_D | Nov 04, 2005 09:47pm | #8

   If you want to do it on a calculator, the Project Master Plus ($15 at Lowe's) will convert cubic inches to board feet with a single button press.  It really is just a matter of dividing by 144 though.

   Both the Project Master Plus and the Project Master Classic ($12 at Walmart) also allow entry of fractional inches, and convert measuremens.  So if you want to figure out the bf of a 6 5/8" board, you could enter something like this:

   6 [inches] 5 / 8  x  8 [feet]  x 0 [inches] 3/4 =

   This shows you the size in cubic inches, then press [board feet] for the answer in bf.

   The calculator's also handy if you're doing things like figuring stock length for cuts, because it can do math on fractions, like dividing 7 7/8" by three or adding 5/16" to 1 3/8" or whatever.

1. 
   SteveSchoene | Nov 04, 2005 10:18pm | #9

   But remember board thicknesses are nominal dimensions.  If surfaced on two sides, a 3/4" thick board is 1" in board feet terms.  Rough lumber is closer to actual, with small differences allowed for whether the wood is kiln dried or not.  An most lumber suppliers use whole numbers in the calculations--some rounding more favorably than others.  Its just a matter of knowing how a particular supplier does it.   

1. 
   willy | Nov 04, 2005 10:48pm | #10

   A simple $2.00 calculator from the corner store is all you need.  It's an easy calculation - thickness x width x length in inches divided by 144 but remember it's the rough lumber measurements.  Thus an eight foot board, 8 inches wide and 5/4 thickness is 96 x 8 x 1.25/144 =6.7 board feet; and as earlier post said the board may be only 7 1/2 " wide by 1 1/8th thick.!!