Cord?

[2FatGuys]

I think you have that backward.

Harry K

+1... Most states will NOT allow firewood sales using terms like "truckload" or "pile". Check your jurisdiction's laws and ordinances. You may be surprised at what you find.

 

[2FatGuys]

Your wrong if people knew they only getting 2/3 of the wood they thought they were, they scream rape. Hey if your paying for 128 cu.ft of wood, I want it all not 70% of it. I know it's impossible to ever be accurate, and is easy to screw people. So a cord should be measured at 89.6 cu.ft instead of 128, dispite it's cubic measurements. It's kinda misleading. Thats like buying 10 gallons of gas but only getting 7 instead.

Before you start pointing the "your wrong" (sic) finger, you need to read the definition of cord. For starters, the "70% air" number is a purely theoretical number that varies with wood size and shape. The definition, as I have seen in many places, refers to the size of the stack and the fact that it is "tightly stacked". Other than using some sort of water displacement method of measuring, it is impossible to quantify the volume of "solid wood" in a stack. That is why the LEGAL definition, accepted by all jurisdictions that I am aware of, generally reads "A stack of wood 4' x 4' x 8' tightly stacked, or 128 cu ft tightly stacked" as Turnkey stated. Even if you do know of a way to measure the "solid wood" that you deliver, NO state will support your "70% air" assumption.

We cut firewood in 16" length for several reasons: 1) few customers can't fit 16" wood in their fireplace / stove; 2) 3 rows 4'high x 8' long = a cord; 3) there is no doubt or discussion about "rounding off" like can happen with 18" length; 4) it stacks well on pallets for drying and storage (1/2 cord per pallet - 4'x4'x4').

Do us all a favor and don't confuse the customers by trying to redefine what a cord is based on your theories of how much air exists in a stack. I could easily prove your 70% number wrong. I could show you a cord that is only 60% solid (splits from knarly twisted crotches that wont stack tight) and I could show you a cord that is 95% solid wood (square splits and slabs that stack VERY tight).

 

[computeruser]

How many times does this same question need to be asked and this inane debate need to occur? We don't debate about what a "foot" or a "yard" is, so why debate about the meaning of a cord?

Seriously, guys, a cord is a recognized and often legal measure. Even google can convert any volume measurement to cords...

 

[mga]

Gotta do it , Seems as though this has been discussed a time or two before. LOL :monkey:

lol..yea...we rehash this every 6 months or so.

the last time, i even posted what what firewood company called a "new york city cord" of firewood. i'm too lazy to look for that thread.

and, here's a place that promises to sell only REAL country firewood:

We sell real country firewood and mixed hardwoods;

http://www.nycfirewood.com/firewood-pricing.shtml

there must be a difference between "country" firewood and city firewood.....

 

[nytreeman]

are you nuts tom trees

LOL

 

[BlueRidgeMark]

We don't debate about what a "foot" or a "yard" is, so why debate about the meaning of a cord?

Exactly. There IS no debate about it. There are occasional honest questions, and there is willful ignorance, but there is no debate.

And no, it doesn't matter one whit what "everybody around here" calls it. A rick is not a cord, and a "face cord" is not a cord.

A cord has been legally defined, and anybody's opinion about it is irrelevant.

 

[gink595]

Before you start pointing the "your wrong" (sic) finger, you need to read the definition of cord. For starters, the "70% air" number is a purely theoretical number that varies with wood size and shape. The definition, as I have seen in many places, refers to the size of the stack and the fact that it is "tightly stacked". Other than using some sort of water displacement method of measuring, it is impossible to quantify the volume of "solid wood" in a stack. That is why the LEGAL definition, accepted by all jurisdictions that I am aware of, generally reads "A stack of wood 4' x 4' x 8' tightly stacked, or 128 cu ft tightly stacked" as Turnkey stated. Even if you do know of a way to measure the "solid wood" that you deliver, NO state will support your "70% air" assumption.

We cut firewood in 16" length for several reasons: 1) few customers can't fit 16" wood in their fireplace / stove; 2) 3 rows 4'high x 8' long = a cord; 3) there is no doubt or discussion about "rounding off" like can happen with 18" length; 4) it stacks well on pallets for drying and storage (1/2 cord per pallet - 4'x4'x4').

Do us all a favor and don't confuse the customers by trying to redefine what a cord is based on your theories of how much air exists in a stack. I could easily prove your 70% number wrong. I could show you a cord that is only 60% solid (splits from knarly twisted crotches that wont stack tight) and I could show you a cord that is 95% solid wood (square splits and slabs that stack VERY tight).

First, thanks for the neg rep! And I'm not trying to redefine what a cord is. I know what the measurements are and that it is phsically impossible for a sane person to ever want to measure the actual cubic volume content. I could easily prove 70% air is the wrong number also, It is 30%. I couldn't imagine what 70% air space would look like. I'm just saying that if you are purchasing 128 cu.ft of wood a guy should recieve 128 cu.ft of solid wood or at least in his favor. But it doesn't work like that unfortunatly, I know it's been the std. system for years and years but I think the definition is a little misleading to people. It's my opinion, I know, and I'm sticking to it. Sorry if you dislike that!

 

[gink595]

I think you have that backward.

Harry K

Haha, I think your right, My memory served me wrong.:censored:

This is an article I found in the Washington post.

"Most consumers do not understand the meaning of a cord, or they are unaware of the many ways wood can be stacked to look like a cord when it isn't," Will Wotthlie, chief of weights and measures, said in a statement. "If the seller uses a term other than a cord or a fraction of a cord, consumers should be suspicious."

"A cord is the amount of wood stacked and stowed in a well-compacted manner in a space of 128 cubic feet, typically measuring 4 feet wide by 8 feet long by 4 feet high, with no internal gaps. When properly stacked, the pieces of wood are in a line, parallel to and touching one another."