Rensselaer Republican, Volume 21, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 July 1889 — Small Timber Better Than Larne. [ARTICLE]

Small Timber Better Than Larne.

“The statement that a 12 by 12 inch beam built up of 2 by 12 planks spiked together is stronger than a 12 by 13 inch solid timber will strike „a novice aa exceedingly absordr Every millwright aud carpenter knows it also, whether be ever tested, it by actual experience or not. The inexperienced will fail to see why a timber will be stronger simply because the adjacent vertical longitudinal portions of tho wood have been separated by a saw; and if this were the only thing about it. it would not be stronger, but the old principle that a chain is no stronger than its weakest link comes into consideration. Most timbers have knots in them or are sawed at an angle to the grai%- - so that they will split diagonally under a comparatively light load. In a built-up timber no large knots can weaken the beam, excepts to much of it as is composed of one plank, and* planks whose grain runs diagonally will be strengthened by the other pieces spiked to it