Shopsmith Forums

I remember watching a fellow check square on sheet goods in a box store with a framing square. He only selected one of over 20 sheets for purchase. My curiosity wouldn't allow me to be polite. When asking how many he desired to buy he curtly replied 4. Then shook his head and commented they didn't seem to like him checking their stock for squareness. Jim

fjimp wrote:I remember watching a fellow check square on sheet goods in a box store with a framing square. He only selected one of over 20 sheets for purchase. My curiosity wouldn't allow me to be polite. When asking how many he desired to buy he curtly replied 4. Then shook his head and commented they didn't seem to like him checking their stock for squareness. Jim

I have been in a number of places that had signs "no sorting of lumber". That pretty much says "no buying" to me. I'm not about to pay full price for a piece of crap board just because it is next in the stack.


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JPG40504 wrote:...Finished 2x4 used to be 1 5/8 x 3 5/8 an a specified moisture content(do not ask-I do not know the number).

A few decades back, that became 1 1/2 x 3 1/2. (corrected)

2,4 6,8 10,12 became 1 1/2, 3 1/2, 5 1/2, 7 1/4, 9 1/4, 11 1/4. Not sure of the '1/2 to 1/4' boundary nor the reason. Charlese will probably correct/elaborate on this....

Here is my method of ending the lumber confusion we ALL endure:

Since lumber grading differs between softwoods and hardwoods and probably also different for domestic and non-domestic woods - - AND mills belonging to various grading associations may also apply rules differently -- I've given up trying to depend on wholesalers and retailers to tell me exact sizes and will never lose sleep over the differences.

The best way to buy hardwood lumber is to buy rough cut stuff. This way I/you can make lumber to fit our needs. Since I cannot always get rough lumber, I've gone to Home Depot and Lowe's. These retailers, sell lumber differently. HD sells by the foot, while Lowe's sells only sized boards of a better grade. HD wood is not finished to the same standards as Lowe's and therefore is cheaper, but may have some encased defects.

The very best rule for my shop is to buy wood (from any source) in sizes larger than needed and trim to needed pieces.

Another of my rules is to take a lot of time to select the figure and grain I can deal with in the current project.

If buying a large supply of wood from which I can later choose - similar rules apply - always looking for wood that has grain that is NOT wandering from side to side. For example if a 1" board has a lot more annual rings on one end than the other - that gives a clue there is going to be some reaction wood in the piece.

Farmer, I'd agree on not buying from someone who won't let you sort through their lumber to pick out the pieces you want for a project, unless the price is right. If you're only buying a half a dozen boards for a specific item, you want the color and grain to match and just taking random boards off the top of a pile won't cut it. Better to find someone who understands your needs.

When I was a boy
4/4 hardwood was 1" finished.
If you bought unfinished hardwood 4/4 you would get a board approx 1 1/4 thick.
Unfinished Softwood would be exactly 1" thick

Plywood was as thick as it said. 1/2" was 1/2" and 3/4" was 3/4"

And a 2x4 was 2"x4"

There was also dimensioned 2x4 (wall studs) and if I remember correctly they were 1 1/2 x 3 1/2 but could have been larger.

Then greed came on the scene and all kinds of explanations were invented to justify selling wood that didn't meet those specs. Like finished hardwood that measured any where from 11/16" on up to 1" as 4/4.

Selling unfinished 4/4 at anywhere from 7/8 on up

And plywood almost any thickness they can get away with.

Dimensioned 2x4 they are now slipping in 1 3/8 x 3 1/4
Try mounting and framing insided doors using that junk.

The width has even been more exciting.

However I'm blessed that I have lumber yards that still sell 2x4 unfinished at 2x4 and if you want you can even buy finished 2x4 that are 2x4.

And 4/4 finished hardwood that is 1" and 8/4 that is 2"

Unfinished 4/4 that is 1 1/8-1/4 and 8/4 that is 2 1/8-1/4

And they even have US plywood that is 1/2" 3/4" and 1"

They also sell the other stuff like 4/4 that is only 3/4 and 3/4 ply that is only 22/32 but they tell you what is what.

Thank God there are still some people with integrity.

And I almost forgot yes they let you sort the pile, however they expect it to be as neat and orderly when you leave as it was when you got there.