Good Morning Friends,

Lumber is bought, sold and figured in it's  nominal size however, does that mean the you will get the actual size of the board mentioned such as a 2 x 4? Also at the sawmill boards are mentioned as being 4/4, 5/4, 8/4 and so on, what are they referring to?

No you will not get a 2x4 to be 2" x 4" although I recently had a set of plans sent to me using 2x's under the cabinets and they figured it like it was 4". Had to call them on that one.

 

4/4, 5/4 and 8/4 refers to 1/4". So a 4/4 should be 4 quarters and most of the time it will be slightly over an inch in thickness.

5/4 would be five quarters or 1 1/4" and 8/4 would be eight quarters or 2"

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John Moody
John Moody Woodworks

Today's 2x4s are 1 1/2" x 3 1/2".

Anyone remember when they were 1 3/4" x 3 3/4"?  I do, but then..

Larry

When I first started they were 1 5/8 x 3 5/8. Ditto what John said about "1/4s"

Good Morning Fellows,

Yes the two different terms can be confusing to some however the nominal size is what you ask for at the Lumber Yards but as mentioned they will not be the true nominal size. Also the 4/4, 5/4 and 8/4 will most likely be a strong measurement for most boards.