Craft Wood Shrinkage Question
 

I recently bought some craft wood at lowes. The sticker on it says, .5" x 2" x 24". When I measured the width at home, it is was only 1.5". I am upset that the stickers states it as 2" but in reality it is only 1.5". Should craft wood shink .5"? All the other boards are the same so I dont understand why they are not labled 1.5".

Re: Craft Wood Shrinkage Question
 

You've been had.

http://searchwarp.com/swa12489.htm

Re: Craft Wood Shrinkage Question
 

Agree with above..... if you need a true 2" you'll need 10/4 (ten quarter) lumber.

Re: Craft Wood Shrinkage Question
 

Huh, My "wood" don't suffer from Shrinkage. Ya might wanna see a doc. :565:

But seriously, if its anything like reg lumber, it will be off. Like a 2x4 isn't really 2x4 its 1 3/4 x 3 3/4.

Re: Craft Wood Shrinkage Question
 

It is worse than that. The correct term Is DIMENSIONAL LUMBER. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timber


<table class="wikitable" style="clear: both;"><tbody><tr><th>Nominal</th> <th>Actual</th> <th>
</th> <th>Nominal</th> <th>Actual</th> <th>
</th> <th>Nominal</th> <th>Actual</th> </tr> <tr> <td>1 � 2</td> <td>³<big>⁄</big>₄ in � 1<s style="display: none;">+</s>¹<big>⁄</big>₂ in (19 mm � 38 mm)</td> <td>
</td> <td>2 � 2</td> <td>1<s style="display: none;">+</s>¹<big>⁄</big>₂ in � 1<s style="display: none;">+</s>¹<big>⁄</big>₂ in (38 mm � 38 mm)</td> <td>
</td> <td>4 � 4</td> <td>3<s style="display: none;">+</s>¹<big>⁄</big>₂ in � 3<s style="display: none;">+</s>¹<big>⁄</big>₂ in (89 mm � 89 mm)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1 � 3</td> <td>³<big>⁄</big>₄ in � 2<s style="display: none;">+</s>¹<big>⁄</big>₂ in (19 mm � 64 mm)</td> <td>
</td> <td>2 � 3</td> <td>1<s style="display: none;">+</s>¹<big>⁄</big>₂ in � 2<s style="display: none;">+</s>¹<big>⁄</big>₂ in (38 mm � 64 mm)</td> <td>
</td> <td>4 � 6</td> <td>3<s style="display: none;">+</s>¹<big>⁄</big>₂ in � 5<s style="display: none;">+</s>¹<big>⁄</big>₂ in (89 mm � 140 mm)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1 � 4</td> <td>³<big>⁄</big>₄ in � 3<s style="display: none;">+</s>¹<big>⁄</big>₂ in (19 mm � 89 mm)</td> <td>
</td> <td>2 � 4</td> <td>1<s style="display: none;">+</s>¹<big>⁄</big>₂ in � 3<s style="display: none;">+</s>¹<big>⁄</big>₂ in (38 mm � 89 mm)</td> <td>
</td> <td>6 � 6</td> <td>5<s style="display: none;">+</s>¹<big>⁄</big>₂ in � 5<s style="display: none;">+</s>¹<big>⁄</big>₂ in (140 mm � 140 mm)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1 � 6</td> <td>³<big>⁄</big>₄ in � 5<s style="display: none;">+</s>¹<big>⁄</big>₂ in (19 mm � 140 mm)</td> <td>
</td> <td>2 � 6</td> <td>1<s style="display: none;">+</s>¹<big>⁄</big>₂ in � 5<s style="display: none;">+</s>¹<big>⁄</big>₂ in (38 mm � 140 mm)</td> <td>
</td> <td>8 � 8</td> <td>7<s style="display: none;">+</s>¹<big>⁄</big>₄ in � 7<s style="display: none;">+</s>¹<big>⁄</big>₄ in (184 mm � 184 mm)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1 � 8</td> <td>³<big>⁄</big>₄ in � 7<s style="display: none;">+</s>¹<big>⁄</big>₄ in (19 mm � 184 mm)</td> <td>
</td> <td>2 � 8</td> <td>1<s style="display: none;">+</s>¹<big>⁄</big>₂ in � 7<s style="display: none;">+</s>¹<big>⁄</big>₄ in (38 mm � 184 mm)</td> <td>
</td> <td>
</td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1 � 10</td> <td>³<big>⁄</big>₄ in � 9<s style="display: none;">+</s>¹<big>⁄</big>₄ in (19 mm � 235 mm)</td> <td>
</td> <td>2 � 10</td> <td>1<s style="display: none;">+</s>¹<big>⁄</big>₂ in � 9<s style="display: none;">+</s>¹<big>⁄</big>₄ in (38 mm � 235 mm)</td> <td>
</td> <td>
</td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1 � 12</td> <td>³<big>⁄</big>₄ in � 11<s style="display: none;">+</s>¹<big>⁄</big>₄ in (19 mm � 286 mm)</td> <td>
</td> <td>2 � 12</td> <td>1<s style="display: none;">+</s>¹<big>⁄</big>₂ in � 11<s style="display: none;">+</s>¹<big>⁄</big>₄ in (38 mm � 286 mm)</td> <td>
</td> <td>
</td> <td>
</td></tr></tbody></table>

Re: Craft Wood Shrinkage Question
 

Now 1 1/2 , 3 1/2 everything I see.
Will find a 1 3/8 , 3 1/2 on loose limber at big box stores now and then if you measure everything.
Will be standard soon.
Then 1 1/4, 3 1/4.
Newspeak at it's best.

Re: Craft Wood Shrinkage Question
 

Don't worry cobb you are not the first to make that mistake. In fact I would hazard a guess that most people make that mistake unless they are taught about it ahead of time. and it is confusing. nowadays I just make sure to bring my own measuring tape into the store when I am buying lumber so that I can double check I am getting the right stuff that matches the dimensions in my designs/specs.

Re: Craft Wood Shrinkage Question
 

Thanks for the replies. Again, knowing that the board is smaller than what the sticker says is, IMHO, misrepresentation. I could overlook this if some of the boards were like that, but not all of them. There is no reason why they cant put the true size of the board on the sticker. It is like buying a gallon of milk only to find out that there is actually only 3.5 liters. I will be sure to bring a tape measure the next time.

Re: Craft Wood Shrinkage Question
 

The thing I don't get about the dimensional lumber thing is that the length is measured correctly. Why isn't a "2x4x8" actually 7 feet long? :biggrin::banghead:

Re: Craft Wood Shrinkage Question
 

Careful..... they already sell "pre-cut" studs that measure 92 1/2 for an eight foot wall. Made that mistake once.

Re: Craft Wood Shrinkage Question
 

This explains a LOT about men and their size guessing in regards to fish and other measurable things.....


:biggrin:

Re: Craft Wood Shrinkage Question
 

I find beer cans placed end to end work best for those tasks.

...... emphasis on the plural !!

Re: Craft Wood Shrinkage Question
 

Actually there is logic behind this.

Rough lumber dimensions are dimensions as the lumber comes off the saw in the sawmill.

Dimensional lumber dimensions are net dimensions after rough lumber has been dried and gone through the planing mill.

"Size Measurement/Term Definition
Dimensional Lumber This measuring method is probably the most recognized by the average person. We see this type of measuring method used in almost all "Do-It-Yourself" type stores that sell lumber, or any place selling lumber for construction purposes. We recognize such "sizes" as 2x4, 2x6, 4x4, 1x2, etc. This measurement refers to the thickness and width of the lumber and the length varies. In reality, these measurements are not a true measurement of the lumber thickness or width. The true measurement of a 2x4 is actually about 1.5x3.5. 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 1.5x3.5 size. The lumber is then sold as a "2x4" because the cost of the drying and machining are figured in...it is also much easier to refer to a board as a "2x4", rather than a "1.5x3.5".
The "Quarters" Sizing Method In the case of rough sawn lumber, the "Quarters" sizing method is usually used by mills that sell rough lumber for woodworking purposes. 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. Rough sawn lumber comes in "true" thicknesses as reflected by the "quarters" size. Lumber sized according to "Quarters" reflects the number of quarters of an inch thick the lumber is. 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.
Board Foot Rough sawn lumber is usually sold by the "board foot" (bd. ft.). A board foot is equal to a piece of wood 12 inches long x 12 inches wide and 1 inch thick, or 144 cubic inches. To figure the board foot measurement of a piece of wood, multiply the length x width x thickness in inches, then divide by 144."


scyth

Re: Craft Wood Shrinkage Question
 

Yep. 2x4 is the size before planing. I learned that after I picked up some 2x8's because I needed a floor to have 8" clearance over a pipe that I was going to put in. I built the whole floor... then discovered it wasn't 8" high at all. After that I did some research to figure out why the hell they'd call something at 2x8 when it wasn't 2 or 8.

Re: Craft Wood Shrinkage Question
 

What is strange is I had "shop" class in jr. high and I sure don't ever remember being taught about this. And I did plenty of building as a kid helping my dad build our house and I don't remember him telling me about this either.... I learned the hard way after driving 100+miles round trip to the nearest lumber store with my shopping list and specs in hand. Only after I got home and started cutting up wood did I pause and say, "WTF?!"

Re: Craft Wood Shrinkage Question
 

lol..... I expect no less. :111:

Re: Craft Wood Shrinkage Question
 

This is why I find it so strange. I guess if you want to get a true 2x4 you need to pay more for a bigger board and cut it down yourself to the right size. It doesnt sound very economical money and time wise. Then you have leftover scrap wood, which isnt bad in itself, but more wood that could have been used to get another 2x4 board out of. Something just doesnt add up to me....

Being .5" off is a big difference.

Re: Craft Wood Shrinkage Question
 

92 5\8. Carpenter here.

Re: Craft Wood Shrinkage Question
 

Full Sawn lumber would be what you want. What the tolerances are for a piece of full sawn after surfacing are I'm not sure, but I think it has to be no smaller than its given dimension. I'll ask a sawyer tomarrow if I remember. A tip for picking out lumber, obviously tighter grain is more desirable, but also look for FOHC (free of heart center) when you're picking it out of the stacks at the lumber yard for projects around the house. That means it has no complete growth rings. The piece will be less likely to crack and split when it swells and dries being in the weather.

Edit: I have no idea if lumber yards stock commonly stock full sawn, working at a sawmill I don't exactly patronize them much.

Re: Craft Wood Shrinkage Question
 

I stand corrected...... (10 year cabinet maker, but a desk job flunkie now)

Of course many moons ago the carpenter actually cut the studs to length. I'm amazed at what you can buy pre-cut these days....

Re: Craft Wood Shrinkage Question
 

Alright, full sawn is cut to actual dimensions with no tolerance for scant. A green, rough 2x4 full sawn is actually 2" x 4", when its cut. There may be shrinkage when the wood sits around the yard and dries though. If that 2x4 full sawn is surfaced it will be 1.75x3.75.