A rough cut piece of lumber would actually measure around 1″ x 4″ and would be milled to a final thickness of 3/4″ x 3-1/2″. Remember these dimensions because they will be important in the next paragraph as to what happened to the lumber for the vanity.
What is the actual size of dimensional lumber?
Dimensional Lumber. Nominal Size. Actual Size. 1×2. 3/4" × 1-1/2". 1×3. 3/4" × 2-1/2". ...
What are the standard lengths for dimensional lumber?
Dimension is the term used for wood between 2 and 5 inches thick. Timbers refer to wood that is at least 5 inches thick. Standard lumber lengths are in 1-foot lengths up to 6 feet long. After this point, the standard length changes to 2-foot increments, starting with 8 feet long. Boards refer to wood less than 2 inches thick.
What are the nominal dimensions of lumber?
The reasons why the nominal dimension of this lumber (what the lumber is called) is larger than the actual dimensions involves historical practices in the lumber industry. Originally, a 2 x 4 was cut as a rough green board that was exactly 2 x 4 inches in size, but by the time the boards were dried and planed, the boards became smaller, approaching the now-standard 2 x 4 dimensions of 1 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches in size.
What size is finished lumber?
Structural lumber can be broken down into seven categories:
- Light framing lumber is 2-inches to 4-inches thick and 4-inches wide.
- Structural light framing is 2-inches to 4-inches thick and 2-inches to 4-inches wide.
- Dimensional lumber and studs are 2-inches to 4-inches thick and 2-inches to 4-inches wide.
- Structural joists and planks are 2-inches to 4-inches thick and 6-inches wide.
What is rough lumber sizes?
Hardwood Lumber DimensionsNOMINAL SIZEROUGH SIZEACTUAL SIZE: SURFACED 1 SIDE6/4 inch1 1/2 inch1 3/8 inch (35 mm)8/4 inch2 inches1 13/16 inch (46 mm)12/4 inch3 inches2 13/16 inch (71 mm)16/4 inch4 inches3 13/16 inch (97 mm)5 more rows•Oct 31, 2021
What is the thickness of rough cut 4 4 lumber?
1 inchA “quarter” system is commonly used in the hardwood lumber industry when referring to thickness. 4/4 refers to a 1 inch thick board, 6/4 is 1-1/2 inch, 8/4 is 2 inches, and so on.
What is considered rough cut lumber?
What exactly is it? You may have heard the term rough sawn (or rough cut) lumber before. What it essentially means is that this lumber type is untreated and cut into planks. It is generally stronger than other types of lumber, but also carries extra moisture because it hasn't been kiln-dried.
Is rough cut lumber cheaper than regular lumber?
Rough cut lumber is known to be cheaper than treated lumber. However, it is quite a bit more to haul and deliver because it is heavier than treated lumber. But if you are picking the lumber up yourself, it will almost always be cheaper.
What is the actual thickness of 5/4 lumber?
1.25″ thick5/4 (five-quarter) lumber is 1.25″ thick when rough sawn. When 5/4 lumber is planed, typically it is finished at 1.063″ thick. 6/4 (six-quarter) lumber is 1.5″ thick when rough sawn.
What does BF mean in lumber?
board footThe board foot is a unit of measurement for the volume of lumber often used by wholesalers and sawmills in the United States and Canada. It equals the volume of a one-foot length of a board, one foot wide and one inch thick. Board foot can be abbreviated as FBM (for "foot, board measure"), BDFT, or BF.
What are the dimensions of a rough cut 2x4?
The true measurement of a 2x4 is actually about 1.5″ x 3.5″. When the board is first rough sawn from the log, it is a true 2x4, but the drying process and planning of the board reduce it to the finished 1.5″ x 3.5″ size. The lumber is then sold as a “2x4” because the cost of the drying and machining are figured in.
Is rough cut lumber more expensive?
In fact, rough-sawn lumber can be more than three times less expensive than an equivalent size of dimensional lumber. That alone could justify the planer and jointer you'd need to process your rough cut lumber.
What is the difference between nominal and rough lumber?
Nominal sizes harken back to the original rough green lumber sizes, the actual sizes are the size of the board after the rough green lumber has been dried and surfaced smooth on all four sides. The nominal size is the accepted standard terminology used for buying, selling, and specifying softwood lumber.
Is buying rough cut lumber worth it?
Buying rough-sawn lumber and planing your own wood definitely saves money; how much money depends on the species and on the size of the project. The larger the project, the more you save.
Can you build with rough-sawn lumber?
The rumor that rough cut lumber use is “illegal” is rooted in the IBC grade stamp rule. While it does make using rough cut lumber a little more difficult, it's certainly NOT impossible and it is still well worth the time and effort to do it. First let's talk about the IBC, what it is and what it does.
What is the cheapest cut of lumber?
Pound for pound, the cheapest wood to buy is maple. Poplar, Alder, white oak and beech are also quite inexpensive. Maple, specifically, is one of the most common woods among entry-level woodworkers and general-purpose woodworks because of its affordability and availability.
How thick is a 4x4?
And it's not just a 2x4: A 1x4 is actually ¾ inches by 3-½ inches; a 4x4 is actually 3-½ inches by 3-½ inches.
What is the thickness of the wood to be considered as timber?
Pieces of wood over 5 inches wide by 5 inches thick (regardless of length) are referred to as timber, and any timber pieces that exceed 8" wide by 8" thick are referred to as beams. As timber pieces are larger in dimension, they are often used to construct the frames of large structures such as buildings and bridges.
What is S4S lumber?
S4S, or lumber surfaced four sides, is another common surfacing option. This refers to boards being planed and in addition also being straight line ripped on two sides resulting in the board being flat, uniformed in thickness and squared up with parallel edges ready for the manufacturing process.
What is the true thickness of 3/4 plywood?
21/32" thickThe actual thickness of plywood varies and is usually different than the nominal thickness shown at the lumber yard. 3/4" plywood is actually 21/32" thick.
What is rough cut lumber?
Rough cut lumber is a variety of lumber that’s name perfectly describes what it is: rough, unfinished lumber. Rough cut lumber is usually not milled nor does it represent its final thickness or correct dimension. Typically, rough cut lumber is coarse to the touch and shows the saw marks.
How is lumber processed?
Lumber is Processed in Different Ways. From providing the framework of a home to a variety of furniture needs, lumber has a vast number of uses. Additionally, depending on the purpose it will serve, lumber will be processed in different ways before it is sold. Before shaped, whittled, or sanded, lumber will be cut to a certain dimension ...
What is the purpose of a planer for wood?
Once this is completed, the wood lumber will be sent through a planer to ensure that the dimensions are correct, the surface is smooth, and the edges are properly rounded. However, this is a process that differs depending on the cut of wood and the purpose it will serve; especially in the case of rough cut lumber.
Can carpenters use rough cut lumber?
Although rough cut lumber is oftentimes jagged and irregular, some woodworkers and carpenters actually prefer to use it in the assorted projects. For example, carpenters and woodworkers can use this type of wood to create special furniture pieces.
Do you sand lumber before shaped?
Before shaped, whittled, or sanded, lumber will be cut to a certain dimension and placed through the drying stage–sometimes the boards will slightly shrink during this process since it’s being stripped of all water that it has retained over time; this is sometimes done through the use of a kiln.
Is rough cut lumber environmentally friendly?
House framework. In addition to these applications, rough cut lumber is actually more environmentally savvy since it reduces transportation and processing costs. Those who purchase rough cut lumber are helping to support lumber yards and businesses, as well.
What is rough cut lumber?
As the name suggests, rough-cut lumber is the lumber yielded from a log after the first cut only. After a couple preparation steps, the log is cut into dozens of boards of different sizes. After this, no further processing is done. There is such a market for lumber that is minimally processed because the necessary tools to further prepare a board for a project are residentially sized and largely available to anyone.
Why do people buy rough cut lumber?
Many people prefer to buy rough cut lumber because they are essentially paying for a planking step that is done by a large sawmill, and most woodworkers do not own such equipment . Ultimately, it is the affordability of the lumber that brings this market together. In fact, rough-sawn lumber can be more than three times less expensive than an equivalent size of dimensional lumber. That alone could justify the planer and jointer you’d need to process your rough cut lumber.
What is dimensional lumber?
Dimensional lumber is widely used in appearance projects such as decking, flooring, furniture, and shelving. Dimensional lumber boasts a cleaner finish and guaranteed performance due to the grading system. Aside from appearance projects, dimensional wood is also heavily used in wall framing in houses as well. Builders can rely on the accuracy of dimensional lumber to ensure the wall framing is measured out perfectly and everything goes together smoothly. Since dimensional lumber is already cut to standard size, larger projects may save money and time by not worrying about getting every board planed down to the exact size.
What is flat sawn lumber?
Lastly, you’ll want to keep an eye out for flat sawn vs. quarter sawn lumber. Most boards will be flat sawn, that is, all cuts were parallel on the log. This method yields boards with varying grain patterns, with less texture on boards cut from the outer edges. Occasionally, you will find quarter sawn boards. To make these boards, a log is first quartered, then boards cut from the outside edge inward. This creates an incredibly stable board as each board has a quality grain structure.
Can you use rough sawn lumber?
There are many applications for rough sawn lumber. Many structural projects that won’t be exposed can use this kind of wood since you will be more worried about the strength properties over the appearance. Unless you are working on a project that would benefit from a textured, rustic appearance, it is best to use rough-cut lumber for structural builds and framework.
What is the sizing method for rough sawn lumber?
The “Quarters” method refers only to the thickness of the wood as widths and lengths vary depending on the log the wood is cut from. Generally, a woodworker will plane the boards to the desired thickness and most likely rip the boards and glue them up into joined panels to get the desired width.
What is lumber sized?
Lumber is generally sized according to thickness, as in the case of rough sawn lumber, or in specific widths, thicknesses and/or lengths as in the case of dimensional lumber. Here we will define each to help you better understand the sizing methods used when referring to lumber “size”.
What is surfaced lumber?
“Surfaced” refers to a finishing process that smooths the lumber to remove all saw marks and makes the lumber ready for sanding and finishing. For example, an S3S (Surfaced 3 Sides) board is surfaced on the two board faces and jointed (straight lined) on one edge. This is typically how most hardwood lumber is sold so you can see the grain and coloring of the wood easier. S3S lumber is also generally sized by the “quarters” method since it is not fully milled like dimensional lumber.
How thick is 4/4 lumber?
To figure the thickness of a board referenced in “quarters” sizes, simply divide the second number (4) into the first number. The second number (4) means “quarters of an inch”, or “quarters”. So, a “4/4” board is four quarters, or 1 inch thick, an “8/4” board is eight quarters, or 2 inches thick, a “10/4” board is ten quarters, or 2.5 inches thick, etc.
Why is lumber sold as a 2x4?
The lumber is then sold as a “2×4” because the cost of the drying and machining are figured in …it is also much easier to refer to a board as a “2×4”, rather than a one and a half by 3 and a half (1.5”x 3.5″).
How wide is a 2x4?
The true measurement of a 2×4 is actually 1.5 ” thick x3.5” wide. When the board is first rough sawn from the log, it is a true 2”x4”, but the drying process and planning of the board reduce it to the finished at 1.5”x3.5”.
What is S4S lumber?
Lumber that is surfaced on all 4 sides (S4S) is fully milled, but may not be sized to the general “dimensional” sizing. S4S lumber can be any size; for instance, a board that is surfaced on all 4 sides and ends up being ½”x 4”X96” is an S4S board.
What happens to lumber after drying?
After being dried, the pieces of lumber are planed, smoothed, and have their corners rounded.
How big is a 2 by 4?
In the case of a two-by-four, that’s 1.5″ x 3.5″).
Why air dry green lumber?
The next step in the production process is to either air-dry or kiln-dry the green lumber, in order to reduce the moisture content of the wood.
How to size rough lumber?
Let’s Size Some Wood: 1) Rough crosscut your rough lumber. Start by cutting an end to remove any end checks. I cut successive 1″ chunks off an end until the last cut off piece can’t be broken when flexed by hand. Once the first end in good, then cut the piece’s rough length 1″ longer than its finished length.
What is rough lumber?
Hardwood lumber yards offer you wood either rough or surfaced. Rough is how it’s cut from the log at the sawmill. There they use giant band saws and circular saws with very coarse saw blades, so the work happens fast. Rough lumber looks like it was sanded with a garden rake!
How to make crosscuts with a miter saw?
Make the crosscuts using a miter saw or radial arm saw. The extra 1″ is added so when you’re cutting the finished length later, you don’t leave a thin piece of wood that can get jammed between the saw fence and blade. 2) Joint and straighten one edge. Set your joiner fence at 90 degrees, and the cutting depth to 1/32″.
Commonly Available Sizes
Common size timbers are available in Western Red Cedar, Coastal Douglas-Fir or species as customer needs.
Large Size Timbers Available at Custom Lengths
Large size timbers are available in Western Red Cedar, Coastal Douglas-Fir or species as customer needs. Larger sizes may take longer to create as they are created on customer demand.
