Good morning Friends,

It is surprising how many woodworkers have never worked with rough sawn lumber for they go to the locations where the lumber is already dressed and very few understand the sawmill terms of 4/4, 5/4, 6/4, and 8/4.

What are these terms indicating when stored in bunks or stacks after being kiln dried?

1", 1 1/4" ,1 1/2", 2"

Do you know how and why these particular thickness designations came about?

Hint:, Ya gotta be old to know for sure. 

The bottom number represents 1/4 of an inch. The top number represents the quantity. Thus 4/4 would be 1 inch thick before planing smooth. 6/4 would be 1 1/2 thick and so on. Just divide the top number by the bottom to get the thickness of the wood.

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Wayne Mahler
God bless and protect our troops that serve so we can be free.

Rough thickness in 1/4" increments 4/4 means 4- 1/4's, 5/4 means 5- 1/4's etc

That makes it easy to understand.

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HARRY
BULLDOG WOODWORKING.MONTANA

Good Morning Fellows,

Everyone is correct in the sizes as per the sawmill terminology. Gene, I am old enough however it wouldn't be fair for me to divulge the true reason that brought the measurement about.

Thanks all for your support.