OK to explain. At the sawmill where trees are sliced into boards, they ARE sliced to the exact measurements you state. So if you buy rough lumber a 2x4 is actually 2" x 4". Then it goes through a series of planers to create smooth edges and surfaces and that is where you lose some of the dimension. I really don't know why they don't sell it with the final measure, but this is what I do know.
I'm just starting out with this stuff and just want to make sure I understand the measurements on the shopping lists. So when it says 1 - 3/4 sheet plywood, what exactly does that mean...that it's 3/4 inches thick? What about the lenght and width? Thanks to anyone who can clarify.
Plywood is more or less the dimensions advertised. Thickness is nominal though. 3/4" plywood is roughly 3/4" thick, but if you take measurements at each corner you may find each one is different. The variation will depend on the grade of plywood. The high-end stuff, like Baltic Birch, has almost no variation.
Real wood, as mentioned, is cut to the specified dimensions, and if you were to buy rough sawn lumber it would match the advertised dimensions. About 1/4" is lost to surfacing. Surfacing your own lumber isn't impossible, and I've done it, but it takes some patience and either a powered jointer and planer, or a set of three hand planes. It's probably not worth making the investment unless you start working with hardwoods though, and plan to build a fair amount. Hand planes are the cheapest route, and it's an amazing upper body and aerobic workout.
Maria in Maui
Thu, 09/23/2010 - 17:57
Also, can anyone explain why they do it this way? Why isn't a 1x3 actually 1"x3"? I'm dying to know the logic behind it.
chrisandpatience
Fri, 09/24/2010 - 02:15
a 1x3 is actually 3/4" x 2 1/2"
a 1x4 is actually 3/4" x 3 1/2"
a 1x6 is actually 3/4" x 5 1/2"
and so on
chrisandpatience
Fri, 09/24/2010 - 02:23
Well i say so on and that is not truely acurate. I think 8" boards an up you have to take 3/4" inch off the width not just a 1/2"
so a 1x8 is actually 3/4" x 7 1/4"
1x10 is 3/4" x 9 1/4"
1x12 is 3/4" x 11 1/4"
correct me if i am mistaken!
silky
Fri, 09/24/2010 - 08:01
Here is a list of the actual board sizes along with a quick explanation.
Sharon L.
Fri, 10/01/2010 - 01:30
chrisandpatience said:
OK to explain. At the sawmill where trees are sliced into boards, they ARE sliced to the exact measurements you state. So if you buy rough lumber a 2x4 is actually 2" x 4". Then it goes through a series of planers to create smooth edges and surfaces and that is where you lose some of the dimension. I really don't know why they don't sell it with the final measure, but this is what I do know.
Kim Armstrong
Tue, 10/12/2010 - 11:53
I'm just starting out with this stuff and just want to make sure I understand the measurements on the shopping lists. So when it says 1 - 3/4 sheet plywood, what exactly does that mean...that it's 3/4 inches thick? What about the lenght and width? Thanks to anyone who can clarify.
Kim
claydowling
Wed, 02/02/2011 - 04:47
Plywood is more or less the dimensions advertised. Thickness is nominal though. 3/4" plywood is roughly 3/4" thick, but if you take measurements at each corner you may find each one is different. The variation will depend on the grade of plywood. The high-end stuff, like Baltic Birch, has almost no variation.
Real wood, as mentioned, is cut to the specified dimensions, and if you were to buy rough sawn lumber it would match the advertised dimensions. About 1/4" is lost to surfacing. Surfacing your own lumber isn't impossible, and I've done it, but it takes some patience and either a powered jointer and planer, or a set of three hand planes. It's probably not worth making the investment unless you start working with hardwoods though, and plan to build a fair amount. Hand planes are the cheapest route, and it's an amazing upper body and aerobic workout.