From Mr. Lindsay:
"Hi David:
Great Questions . But just like chewing raw coconut, it gets complicated.
The more you chew the more there is.
Under the ALS ( American Lumber Standards Committee ) there are regional Grading Authorities.
Like NELM , WWPA, WCLIB, Southern Pine, Timber Products etc . These are official agents of ALS and they employ certified graders as Lumber Inspectors. And these agents offer grading courses
1. The Regional grading agencies are the Authority that Can offer courses that will result in getting an Official Grading ticket to be a Lumber Grader in a Lumber Mill. So you just work For the sawmill. It takes about 3 months and $1,000. This is Just the Start of getting into a career in Lumber Grading. Even though you have a Grading Ticket does not mean you own a Grade Stamp .
2. Only a Sanctioned Sawmill, Remanufacturing Plant, or Official Lumber Inspector from the Grading Agency owns an official Mill Stamp can put a Grade Stamp on the piece of lumber.
3. Sawmills are subject to grade checks by the Lumber Inspectors 2 or 3 times a year. The inspector will come for a day and randomly
Re-grade a few piles of Grade Stamped lumber to see if they are up to snuff.
4. Does Bruce’s course allow you to be a Lumber Inspector or Lumber Grader at a mill. NO !
5. No. There is No Certification or Grading Ticket at the end of my course. Bruce’s courses simply make you more Literate with timber, the terminology, & the grades so you can have a pretty good idea if the stick of wood in front of you is # 2 and Not # 1 or Select Structural. Simply a general introduction to the subject. What characteristics are not permitted in a # 1 ( Holes and Rot) . We didn’t really get into some of the finer aspects like proportional size knots. We could do a one hour lecture on the 7 different types of knots. Just scratched the surface of the subject.
6. Bruce’s course helps you to NOT call up a supplier and unknowingly ask for a # 2 & Better with no knots and look like an idiot.
7. Read my article in the Timber Framing Journal, Sept, this year . It kind of
sums up the 1 ½ hour Grading Seminar.
?? Does this answer your question ? Why / Why not."
