2x4 wood is not 2"x4"
- Thread starter blkdrgn
- Start date
you cant be serious? it is 2"x4" before it is milled and cut to be straight. i really hope you didnt already start cutting befroe knowing exactly what you are working with lol.
Carpenters rule.
ALWAYS measure, then measure again.
If you dont have the time to do it right the first time, when will you have time to do it all over?
A few favorite carpenters quotes...
"My board stretcher is out of batteries."
"I've cut this dang board 4 times and its STILL too short!....."
ALWAYS measure, then measure again.
If you dont have the time to do it right the first time, when will you have time to do it all over?
A few favorite carpenters quotes...
"My board stretcher is out of batteries."
"I've cut this dang board 4 times and its STILL too short!....."
Hello; I do not have an answer to the why, but I think that rough cut lumber is closer to the named dimensions. It may be that when lumber is cut at a saw mill, a 2x4 is about the right size and that when it is planned down into finished lumber some of the wood is removed but is is still called a 2x4. That's my best guess. Once you get use to it, it is not a big problem as the finished dimensional lumbers fit together well and the sizes have become standardized.
A 2x4 used to measure 2x4, I think like everything else they wanted more $$$$ so the lumber was shaved down to get more out of a tree.
2"x4" is the rough lumber dimensions then cleaned up and made smooth a 1/4" is taken off all sides during the process