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Fred Morgan
Sponsor
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Posted: Tue Apr 12th, 2005 12:18 pm |
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Costa Rica has a very interesting way of measuring wood. Normally, in the USA we measure by volume of the log, which requires some fairly fancy calculations, however, the average campesino probably doesn't have the math to be able to do this. So, what is used is very basic, and gives a nice rough calculation of board feet. It is called a pulgada - pulgada is the Spanish word for an inch.
For every 4 varas of the log (a varas = 33 inches so this would be 11 feet) you do the following:
Take a string and measure the circumference of the smallest end. Fold it in half, twice, measure this in inches. (in other words, Circumference / 4). Take the resultant measurement and multiple times itself. (inches squared)
This is your pulgadas for this section of the log. Repeat till you run out of log.
Normally, the number of board feet and pulgadas are about the same so you can think of pulgadas as a rough calculation of board feet in a log.
This is important in Costa Rica because when you are buying trees, the negotiation will be in pulgadas - not in Cubic Meters or board feet.
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LogRite
Member
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Posted: Sun Jun 12th, 2005 02:20 am |
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| Wow, I learned something else today. I'm going to find a way to fit Pulgadas into a conversation at LogRite. I can't wait to see the puzzled look on everyones faces.
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Lumberdude
Member
| Joined: | Fri Feb 11th, 2005 |
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| Posts: | 16 |
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Posted: Sun Jun 12th, 2005 11:18 am |
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I already asked Kevin to make me a scale stick--in Pulgadas 
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Fred Morgan
Sponsor
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Posted: Sun Jun 12th, 2005 12:41 pm |
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I use pulgadas almost all the time here - the campesinos are terribly good at math (and it scares them when I do volume measurements in my head... ) so this is a very simple way to do it.
Normally, Hector dickers for the wood - and gets really great prices. The farmers love to work with us since we pay for every load as we remove it. They are happy, we are happy.
Some of the loggers down here are thieves. They will come in, make a mess, remove the best, and not even pay when they are done.
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