Sales of Lumber Increased bv Use of Metal Connectors

The claim is made that Teco Timber Joint Connectors are the most important development in the past 25 years in the field of timber framed construction. and lumber retailers naturally want to know what they are, how thev are used. and how they will increase the use of wood.

Metal connectors are of trvo kinds, a toothed ring (Alligator), and a split ring.

The purpose of metal connectors is to increase the strength of framed timber construction above that which can be obtained by using nails or bolts. Generally speaking the toothed ring type when used in pairs with a bolt doubles the strength of the bolted timber joint, and the split ring type makes a joint rvhich is four times as strong as the bolted joint.

The use of connectors makes possible very much stronger structures built of wood than have previously been possible, thereby increasing the field for lumber. They also make possible the more economical use of i'r'ood.

Several years ago the National Committee on Wood Utilization brought to this country from Europe various types of metal connectors rvhich had been developed there during and since the r,var. These connectors were tested by the Forest Products Laboratory, rvhich subsequently pultlished the results o{ the tests in a booklet entitled "Modern Connectors for Timber Construction". (Obtainable from the Superintendent of Documents, Washington, D. C., at 15 cents per copy).

The National Lumber Manufacturers Association, appreciating the possibilities for the increased use of lumber which these connectors presented, has acquired the patent rights for the,United States for several of the most efficient types of connectors. The two types above mentioned, which have proved to be the most popular, are now being manufactured and sold by the Timber Engineering Co., a subsidiary of the National Lumber Manufacturers Association.

Each field office of the National is also an agency for the Timber Engineering Co., and accepts orders subject to confirmation by the headquarters office in Washington, D. C. Orders are accepted only when it is known that the connectors will be properly and efficiently used.

A. C. Horner, consulting engineer in the San Francisco office for the National Association and for the Timber Engineering Co., asked by The California Lumber Merchant as to what increase in the use of lumber might be attributed to connectors, quoted a list of 28 structures in California in which connectors have been used since last August. These include roof trusses in commercial buildings, theaters, schools, highway bridges, gravel bunkers, sprinkler tank towers, and various other types of frame construction. Approximately 38,000 connectors have been distributed through the San Francisco office since last July. A supply of connectors is maintained in Berkeley, Calif., to fill rush orders, but large orders are usually shipped direct from the manufacturing plants in Ohio.

From the amount of interest shown by engineers, architects and contractors, Mr. Horner believes that more and more uses will be found for wood because of the fact that connectors will make its use even more desirable and economical than it has been in the past.

Council Meets in Cotati Brix Logging Co. Starts

California Lumbermen's Council met in Cotati. Sonoma County, Saturday, May 19. President George Ley, Santa Cruz Lumber Co., presided. Harry Lake, president, California Retail Lumbermen's Association. attended the meeting.

Brix Logging Co., Knappton, Wash., started operating their mill May 1. This mill, formerly known as Knappton Mills & Lumber Co., has been represented in California for the past 2O years by Trower Lumber Co., San Francisco. P. H. Fortune is sales manager.

Ten Years Ago Today

(Continued from Page 23) in Old Mexico at Agua Prieta, with Jack Halloran as toastmaster. Joe Tardy was one of the most active delegates.

Ezra T.Stimson, ."pitiirJrrl lornb.rman, died in San Francisco, aged 62.

The Sun Lumber co-j"r,], .,lnr.n recenfly bought out the Woods-Beekman Lumber Company, in Beverly Hills, have moved into handsome new offices. Frank Burnaby is president and manager.

The Napa Lumber c"; #. fr. ,n,u,",,, Manager, has bought the H. C. Thompson yard at Calistoga, and placed Jim Clark in charge.

Capt. Robert Dollar "alr.lr.l the San Francisco HooHoo Club May 22 on his early lumber experiences. president R. A. Hiscox presided.

John W. Koehl & Son,*Lol ,irg"t.., announce the purchase of a piece of property 150 by 12A {.eet adjoining their millwork plant, and plans for immediately constructing a two-story brick warehouse thereon.

Fred. H. Conner sold his interest in the Sacramento Lumber Company, at Sacramcnto, to L. H. Chapman.

The Tynan Lumber Company, of Salinas, announce that they will open a yard at once in Oakland.

Will Open Pamudo Warehouse in Los Angeles

Hugh S. Murphy, 'Western manager of the Pacific Mutual Door Company, Tacoma, and vice president of the Olympia Veneer Company, Olympia, spent a few days in Los Angeles last week. While in Los Angeles Mr. Murphy'made an arrangement to establish a Pamudo branch distributing warehouse there similar to the Eastern warehouses of the Pacific Mutual Door Company located in many large Eastern distributing centers.

E. C. Nordness, who has represented the Pacific Mutual Door Company in the Los Angeles market for a number of years, will be in charge of the warehouse. The pacific Mutual Door Company are exclusive distributors of the plywood manufactured by the Olympia Veneer Company, one of the oldest and best known plywood plants in the Pacific Northwest, specializing in Fir, Spruce and Cottonwood plywood. Stock will be shipped to Los Angeles immediately for distribution out of the Pamudo warehouse.

While in San Francisco Mr. Murphy spent a day with White Brothers, who are exclusive distributors of Pamudo plywood for Northern California and the Bay district. White Brothers report a very satisfactory business in pamudo plywood and are very optimistic as to the outlook for the coming year.