Handheld boardfeet calculator

[coalman]

I have a Amish friend who is looking for a handheld portable calculator.He owns a sawmill and buys timber He told me there is a handheld calculator that he seen that all he has to do is enter the diameter and length and species of each log and it will keep track off all the info and then all you have to do is plug it in a printer and it will print a sheet with all the info He doesn't have Internet and he asked me to see if I can get some brand names and info I been looking around on the Internet and can't find anything I just need somebody to point me in the right direction Thanks

 

[madhatte]

I don't know of a dedicated product, but I do know of a free software solution -- I use this one: this is the cruise software, and this is the software you use to process the data and correct volumes against local variation. There's a bit of a learning curve, but it's very robust software and the programmers are a phone call away and totally awesome.

If you don't want to spring for a hand-held to do field data collection on, it's easy enough to enter it from cruise cards in the office. You'll end up with the same numbers, but the extra step costs time and also adds another layer of human error in the data entry.

If you choose to go this route, feel free to ask questions as I use this stuff all the time and am at least moderately proficient.

 

[redprospector]

This is the "hand held bd ft calculator" that I use.
Bailey's - Decimal C Log Rule

Not trying to be a smartass................Well, yeah I am. I'm sorry, just can't help myself.

Andy

 

[coalman]

He is looking for the hand held computer to enter the logs in and print out the tally sheets on a printer

 

[madhatte]

He is looking for the hand held computer to enter the logs in and print out the tally sheets on a printer

That software would install on a Windows phone, or just about any palmtop appliance. Did I mention that it's free?

 

[r&r]

Wait hes amish and uses a computer/printer?
but no internet whats the difference.

 

[coalman]

I looked at the site and I don't see what he is looking for or am I looking in the wrong place He wants a handheld computer that he can enter the diameter and length and species and when all done he can plug in the printer and print a tally sheet with the board feet of each log and the totals Thanks again Kevin

I don't know of a dedicated product, but I do know of a free software solution -- I use this one: this is the cruise software, and this is the software you use to process the data and correct volumes against local variation. There's a bit of a learning curve, but it's very robust software and the programmers are a phone call away and totally awesome.

If you don't want to spring for a hand-held to do field data collection on, it's easy enough to enter it from cruise cards in the office. You'll end up with the same numbers, but the extra step costs time and also adds another layer of human error in the data entry.

If you choose to go this route, feel free to ask questions as I use this stuff all the time and am at least moderately proficient.

 

[madhatte]

What I mean is to buy a standard PocketPC or other handheld device, and then install this free software on it. That would provide the functionality you're looking for.

 

[slowp]

I've used a palm pocket. They aren't weather proof so I had what is called, an environmental case to hold it. A computer literate (nerd) installed the program and off I went. I'd get back to the office, download my measurements into the big computer by plugging the palm pocket into the other machine, and out would spit the volumes.

There are probably a few programs to choose from.

The scale stick will work also.

 

[coalman]

He uses the scale stick right now and he said he is looking for a handheld unit because when it is raining out it is hard to use the paper as it gets wet I want to thank everyone for there help Now I guess what I need to know is what is a good weatherproof handheld computer I will say it can't be a smartphone or any device that needs to be pluged into a desktop it must be one you plug into a printer Thanks

 

[slowp]

He needs Rite in the Rain paper. Really. It works. It has been around a long time.

Rite in the Rain All-Weather Writing Paper

 

[Guido Salvage]

If he is true old order Amish I do not see how he can integrate this type of technology into his operation. He will require electrical power to operate the printer which I doubt that he has. Perhaps a handheld calculator would be better than pencil and paper.

 

[redprospector]

He needs Rite in the Rain paper. Really. It works. It has been around a long time.

Rite in the Rain All-Weather Writing Paper

You beat me to it.
But only by a couple of hours.

Andy

 

[forestryworks]

He needs Rite in the Rain paper. Really. It works. It has been around a long time.

Rite in the Rain All-Weather Writing Paper

:agree2:

 

[redprospector]

Does that make me a dinosaur? I mean even the Amish want to be more sophisticated than me.

Andy

 

[Gologit]

Does that make me a dinosaur? I mean even the Amish want to be more sophisticated than me.

Andy

Maybe so. But simplifying your life isn't such a bad thing. I'll try to avoid the "old guy rant about modern technology" but sometimes all these time saving gadgets sure seem to take up a lot of time.

Slowp tells a story about an uneducated rigging man who could figure yarder deflection in his head as accurately and just as quick as their new software could. He probably didn't need his batteries changed or go inoperative when it rained, either. :msp_biggrin:

 

[madhatte]

Ehh, it's not so bad. The gadgets they were hawking just 15 years ago were so awful we'd leave 'em in the office, take our notes on rite-in-the-rain paper, and transcribe later, just to avoid the inevitable field breakdowns. Today's gear is robust and easy enough to use that I'm actually kind of excited to see what comes next.

One thing I can say for sure: using the software available today has made a HUGE difference in closing the gap between cruised and scaled volumes. We're closing in on 5% difference now, and the major troubles remaining are more a matter of grading then volume. I'm pretty sure that tweaking a few rules and changing some parameters will tighten that up to where a buyer will be able to have real confidence in bidding, rather than gambling and hoping for the best.

 

[coalman]

As far as the power goes he has a printer and fax right now He runs everything off off batteries and an inverter and charges the batteries of off the 80 kw generator that runs the mill He is a little more modern than a lot of the Amish I was looking at the forestry systems website they have bunch of handhelds there Thanks