Uploaded March 2022 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Trade education and workforce development are two initiatives we value highly here at Dunn Lumber, so it should come as no surprise that we have close ties with Seattle Central College's Wood Technology Center (WTC). With roots dating back to the early 1900s, WTC's history intersects with ours at Dunn Lumber at various points (our very own Ed Dunn Jr. took some classes at Edison), and we're proud to be connected with such an exemplary educational institution.
Throughout the episodes in this series, we'll be speaking with Dave Borgatti, a long-time faculty member at the WTC, about the center's history, program offering, and various topics in woodworking education. Dave got his start in woodworking as a boat builder in Portland, Oregon, for Schooner Creek Boat Works, and ended up at WTC as an instructor in 1992. Since then, Dave has helped countless students—from boat builders to carpenters and cabinetmakers—learn the woodworking craft.
Everyone in the construction industry knows that a two-by-four doesn’t actually measure two inches by four inches—but for homeowners and DIYers, the difference between nominal and actual lumber sizing might not be so obvious until it leads to a miscalculation.
In today’s discussion with Dave, we gain a better understanding for the difference between nominal and actual sizing, learn about the lumber drying and surfacing process, and pick up a couple of tricks and best practices along the way. Watch our conversation in the video above or head to our blog for a detailed recap: dunnlumber.com/blog/post/nominal-vs-actual-lumber-sizing
Trade education and workforce development are two initiatives we value highly here at Dunn Lumber, so it should come as no surprise that we have close ties with Seattle Central College's Wood Technology Center (WTC). With roots dating back to the early 1900s, WTC's history intersects with ours at Dunn Lumber at various points (our very own Ed Dunn Jr. took some classes at Edison), and we're proud to be connected with such an exemplary educational institution.
Throughout the episodes in this series, we'll be speaking with Dave Borgatti, a long-time faculty member at the WTC, about the center's history, program offering, and various topics in woodworking education. Dave got his start in woodworking as a boat builder in Portland, Oregon, for Schooner Creek Boat Works, and ended up at WTC as an instructor in 1992. Since then, Dave has helped countless students—from boat builders to carpenters and cabinetmakers—learn the woodworking craft.
Everyone in the construction industry knows that a two-by-four doesn’t actually measure two inches by four inches—but for homeowners and DIYers, the difference between nominal and actual lumber sizing might not be so obvious until it leads to a miscalculation.
In today’s discussion with Dave, we gain a better understanding for the difference between nominal and actual sizing, learn about the lumber drying and surfacing process, and pick up a couple of tricks and best practices along the way. Watch our conversation in the video above or head to our blog for a detailed recap: dunnlumber.com/blog/post/nominal-vs-actual-lumber-sizing
