Every area of the country has small logs, but very few sawmills know how to get the most out of them. RNS Wood Products in Bunker, Missouri is betting on a newly designed small log processing scragg mill from Baker Products.
Stacey Powell, co-owner of RNS, explained, “This novel approach all started with a fishing trip with Ed Baker dreaming about how to get more production out of small diameter logs (eight to ten feet in length). Everyone has small diameter logs, and they are a problem, but they also present an opportunity.”
Richard Powell, Stacey’s father and founder of RNS, added, “We need to get rid of these small logs, and our big mills are too slow to process them efficiently, and we don’t want to tie up our main sawmill with small logs. It is hard to get a really good cut with our main sawmill when processing small logs.”
Baker Develops Unique Twist on Its Scragg System
This custom-designed, Baker circle quad-scragg sawmill features a stair-step loader that transports logs to the sharp chain. The sawyer determines the initial cut based on the log diameter and predetermined target dimensions. A series of laser lights helps to quickly make this set. After the log is sawn by two 48" circular blades, the two-sided scragg block is then automatically fed through two 36" circular blades to form a square. The blades are adjustable to account for various sized logs and cut patterns. These sets are made automatically by the computer systems and are determined based on the self-centering wheels that center the two-sided scragg block as well feed the material through the two saws.
Blocks can be further processed into smaller squares in the Baker Band quad-sizer that uses two vertical and two horizontal bands to cut the material into the smaller parts. The quad-sizer can produce as many as six parts of various dimensions from the block based on the square size and needs of the sawmill. An example would be four 3.5" x 3.5" and two 2.5" x 3.5" parts from a 7.125" x 9.6" square.
The Baker system was designed to allow for easy operation and controls. Stacey said, “The setworks on this Baker scragg are simple to use. It has different cuts preprogrammed for various species, such as pine, oak as well as different types of cuts.”
Stacey added, “Say you want to cut a 10-inch log and you want to cut an inch slab on both sides, if that comes out too barky, you can go to an inch and a quarter slab adjusted.”
This custom Baker scragg line also features a stair-step log deck for efficiently singulating and loading various sized logs. Instead of a forklift loading and singulating logs individually, the driver can drop a load of logs onto the deck at one time. A three strand 40’ long Baker deck feeds the step loader.
Richard said, “The singulator ensures a steady supply of logs to the scragg line so the sawyer is never waiting for logs. At six logs per minute, there’s no way that a forklift driver can keep up singulating.”
Clay Hedrick, senior sales representative for Baker, said that the singulator also efficiently processes various diameter logs. The entire scragg line is controlled by a sawyer in the control cab and one line monitor to ensure logs, squares and slabs flow efficiently. RNS added most of their own waste conveyors and have some work left to do on those.
Hedrick explained, “RNS was a little different in the fact that they wanted a finished square. With our traditional scragg systems, many times we produce a three-sided piece ready to go to the band resaws. This is a fast way to process material efficiently. But with this customer, the Powells wanted a full four-sided piece, some of which could be a finished product for them to sell.”
The Baker quad-scragg can process 1,000 to 1,200 logs per shift. Stacey admitted the system could run much more if they ran better quality logs through the scragg.
Richard suggested, “The Baker quad-scragg system can process 200 plus logs per hour when working with pine logs.”
Family Business Focused on Customer Commitment
RNS Wood Products started back in 1982 with a dream. Richard’s father worked in the forest products industry as a logger. Richard decided to join his dad in the industry and saw the need to open a sawmill.
The company was later named RNS for the first name of the three owners: Richard, Nathan and Stacey. Richard Powell is in business with his two sons. Stacey laughed, “I joined the business very young, when I was about 10. Really, I graduated high school in 2001 and have been working as the sawyer ever since I left school.” Nathan is two years older than Stacey, and they both joined the business when they were young.
Over the years, the Powells have built the company from one location to multiple companies throughout Missouri employing more than 100 people. RNS Wood Products is a large cut stock and lumber supplier in Missouri producing pine and mixed hardwoods. In the early days, the company was lucky if it processed 40,000 bf per week. Now, it has grown to become a major supplier in the region.
The Powells also own MWM Wood Products and Canoak Missouri LLC in Salem, Missouri. MWM Wood Products cuts crossties, grade lumber and blocking. Canoak Missouri LLC specializes in hardwood flooring and lumber drying. The combined sawmills process 500,000 bf of logs per week. Canoak runs through the dry kilns about 750,000 bf of lumber per month. To feed these operations, RNS runs 10 logging crews of its own and works with independent loggers as well.
RNS is a showplace for Baker equipment. Being located less than an hour from Baker’s world headquarters, service and support is always speedy. Stacey said, “I have always liked working with Clay and the Baker team. They support everything they install and have worked with us to fix little issues that arose since this quad-scragg uses some unique customization for our needs.”
Beyond the new quad-scragg and the quad-sizer, RNS/Canoak run the following Baker equipment: eight-head “BX” model resaw, a four-head “D” model resaw, Version II banding groove machine, tie stackers, “A” model resaws, “AB” resaws, several multi-head “C” model resaws, M4I dedusters, transfer conveyors, hoppers, racks, unscrambler decks and a circular end trim saw. RNS currently has a custom board sizer for thickness on order. The sawmill has been running the new Baker quad-scragg for about a year.
Richard said, “Beyond the proximity to our plants, Baker has been willing to work with us to develop solutions to meet our needs. For example, this new scragg mill allows us to process logs that nobody else wants. In the past, we would sell off these small logs. Now, we can use them to produce cut stock and other forms of finished lumber.”
Baker’s saw systems have helped RNS and its affiliated businesses boost yield and stay competitive in the market.
Cut Stock Supplier Ships Long Distances
RNS benefits from having a steady supply of logs from surrounding forests. This supply allows the sawmill to produce cut stock that is shipped all over the country. Richard explained, “Due to the competitiveness of the market, we ship lumber to both coasts and everywhere in-between. Right now, we are slammed with orders and are taking care of our best buyers.”
Missouri is known for having some of the most competitive log prices in the country. This allows RNS and other area mills to ship long distances. Richard admitted, “We are open to any pallet lumber buyer who pays on time and is willing to pay a fair market price.”
All three Powell family owners are heavily involved in the daily operations of the plants, and RNS focuses on delivering on customer needs. “Our Salem operations have good managers and employees as well as those at the RNS plant,” said Stacey. “Honestly, we couldn’t make it if we didn’t have good employees everywhere. This is a tough business, and you must have good people to get the job done.”
RNS will cut what the market demands. But the company does have its preferences and expertise. Richard commented, “What we prefer to cut is half-inch decking. When the market is good, we also produce a lot of 1.25” x 3.5" four-way stringers.”
RNS partners with Missouri Tie, LLC and Royal Oak for all non-pallet material. Stacey explained, “RNS has a strong desire to support local businesses in the area, and we believe in long-term business relationships.”
Offering a wide variety of lumber products, RNS and its affiliates can meet the needs of various markets, and it has developed a strong base of pallet lumber customers across the country. In this competitive lumber market, if you are looking for a good supplier with the infrastructure to handle customers, call Nathan at (573) 689-2850 or e-mail Sjwpowell@yahoo.com.
