Good morning Friends,

A fellow came to me the other day and asked me why is it that when I go to a lumber yard to buy some 2 x 4s they are not a full 2" x 4" and what is the meaning of 4/4, 5/4 6/4 and 8/4?

"I'm confused," he stated.

Out here when talking 2x4's folks are thinking spf and I have no idea what beginning size is, possibly 2"x4", but they end up real close to 1-1/2"x3-1/2" 

Hardwoods are normally refered to by quarters. 4/4=1" 5/4=1-1/4" 6/4=1-1/2" 8/4-2". And that is rough cut right off the mill. Each is cut so as to clean up 3/4" 1" 1/14" and 1-3/4". Most times it cleans up with an extra 1/16"    IE: 13/16" etc.

A guy told me once that the reduced size was to allow for the thickness of sheetrock. I always thought he was pulling my leg.

 

The 4's come from the sawmill. The mill has settings every 1/4" so when you want 1" that is the fourth 1/4. So the lingo evolved into asking how many 4s you need and the mill would be set at the fourth 4 if you wanted 1".  Thats the story I heard anyway.

 

---

Good, Better, Best never let it rest
Till your Good is Better and your Better is Best.

It's a 2" x 4" before the mill runs it through the planer which results in a finished product of 1 1/2" x 3 1/2 ".  

 

SQ

 

---

It it can't be fixed with glue and sawdust - it's not worth fixing.

And, way back when, some 2" x 4"s were 1 5/8" x 3 3/4".  See how old I am? 

 

---

Lare..

 

---

Lare..

Hey Ralph, i think the 4/4 etc. has been answered, as far as the thickness in 1/4s of an inch.  As far as 2 x 4 etc. Larry is right, awhile ago, even in the 60s or maybe even later the normal size for a 2 x 4 was 1 5/8 x 3 5/8.  Now they are 1 1/2 x 3 1/2.  I believe that this change has taken place in order to be more economical and get more yield out of the log.  I dont believe that the mills are cutting the rough piece to 2 x 4 and planing off 1/2 inch in thickness and width, that would be just ludicris.  Its more likely that they are now cutting them to maybe 1 3/4 x 3 3/4 and taking off about 1/8 on each side.  This would in effect get more yield out of the log.  On one log it wouldnt add up to much, maybe a few more pieces, but when your cutting millions or more of logs the yield would add up to quite a bit.  Thanks just my input, Paul

Good Morning All,

All lumber is bought and sold by the nominal size such as the 2 x 4 when it is cut at the sawmill will be at least 8/4 before it is planed down to the size you buy at the lumber yard and 4/4 might even be 1 1/8" think but is sold as being 1" in thickness.

I know it is confusing to some folks especially when they have only had to deal with the size of the wood bought at the lumber yard or box store.

Thank you all for your support.