Steve Ramsey - Woodworking for Mere Mortals | Why aren't 2x4s actually 2x4? #shorts @SteveRamsey | Uploaded April 2021 | Updated October 2024, 6 days ago.
In the 1800s and earlier, lumber was cut and milled locally, and sized on site by carpenters. Using lightweight studs to frame houses became the most common practice and 2” by 4” was a common size board builders liked to use.
As the demand for new construction grew, lumber suppliers began transporting lumber further away from the source. So now, a lumberyard might contain an intermingling of wood species from different sources. The actual dimensions of a 2x4 from one supplier might not match one from another mill that was dried and surfaced differently. Some suppliers made their boards slightly smaller and lighter to save on shipping costs. Larger “2x4s” needed to slim down in order to compete. Over many years, almost imperceptibly, 2x4s got smaller.
As early as 1920, lumberyards and carpenters began to demand uniformity, but it wasn’t until 1964 when lumber associations agreed on 1.5” x 3.5” to be a standard 2x4 once a board is dried and milled.
So for the most part, 2x4s have hardly ever actually been 2x4.
***Source***
Harvard Design Magazine
Nominal Versus Actual: A History of the 2x4
by Oliver J. Curtis
harvarddesignmagazine.org/issues/45/nominal-versus-actual-a-history-of-the-2x4
Learn how to get started woodworking and set up shop for less than $1000. Download my FREE GUIDE ► theweekendwoodworker.com/tww-tools
MY PODCAST:
Apple Podcasts► bit.ly/chadandsteveitunes
Spotify► bit.ly/chadandstevespotify
YouTube► youtube.com/c/ChadandSteve
Website► chadandsteve.com
Sign up for my free monthly newsletter: notesfromsteve.com
PATREON ►► patreon.com/wwmm
TOOLS I USE► amzn.to/2F3hxQc
WWMM T-SHIRTS► amzn.to/2scxfYl
FACEBOOK► facebook.com/WoodworkingForMereMortals
INSTAGRAM► instagram.com/steveramsey_wwmm
MAILING ADDRESS:
WWMM
448 Ignacio Blvd. # 237
Novato CA 94949
----------------
Woodworking for Mere Mortals® is a registered trademark of ZRAM Media, LLC.
#woodworking #lumber #shorts
In the 1800s and earlier, lumber was cut and milled locally, and sized on site by carpenters. Using lightweight studs to frame houses became the most common practice and 2” by 4” was a common size board builders liked to use.
As the demand for new construction grew, lumber suppliers began transporting lumber further away from the source. So now, a lumberyard might contain an intermingling of wood species from different sources. The actual dimensions of a 2x4 from one supplier might not match one from another mill that was dried and surfaced differently. Some suppliers made their boards slightly smaller and lighter to save on shipping costs. Larger “2x4s” needed to slim down in order to compete. Over many years, almost imperceptibly, 2x4s got smaller.
As early as 1920, lumberyards and carpenters began to demand uniformity, but it wasn’t until 1964 when lumber associations agreed on 1.5” x 3.5” to be a standard 2x4 once a board is dried and milled.
So for the most part, 2x4s have hardly ever actually been 2x4.
***Source***
Harvard Design Magazine
Nominal Versus Actual: A History of the 2x4
by Oliver J. Curtis
harvarddesignmagazine.org/issues/45/nominal-versus-actual-a-history-of-the-2x4
Learn how to get started woodworking and set up shop for less than $1000. Download my FREE GUIDE ► theweekendwoodworker.com/tww-tools
MY PODCAST:
Apple Podcasts► bit.ly/chadandsteveitunes
Spotify► bit.ly/chadandstevespotify
YouTube► youtube.com/c/ChadandSteve
Website► chadandsteve.com
Sign up for my free monthly newsletter: notesfromsteve.com
PATREON ►► patreon.com/wwmm
TOOLS I USE► amzn.to/2F3hxQc
WWMM T-SHIRTS► amzn.to/2scxfYl
FACEBOOK► facebook.com/WoodworkingForMereMortals
INSTAGRAM► instagram.com/steveramsey_wwmm
MAILING ADDRESS:
WWMM
448 Ignacio Blvd. # 237
Novato CA 94949
----------------
Woodworking for Mere Mortals® is a registered trademark of ZRAM Media, LLC.
#woodworking #lumber #shorts
