of ray fleck. Flat-sawing is the quickest method, producing the least wood waste and largest possible boards from a log. However, it can produce boards that are more susceptible to cupping and shrinkage. The grain is often irregular, and may display loops, hyperbolas, and more elaborate patterns depending on species. Quarter-sawing produces smaller boards than flat sawing but has a straighter grain. This process takes many more steps, especially if later cuts are alternated rather than parallel. References Woodworking