Heading back to the orange store, because I naively assumed a 2x2, and a 2x4 are the same thickness. I googled, both are supposed to be 1-1/2 thick. So what the f is this? I checked receipt. It says 2x2.
Heading back to the orange store, because I naively assumed a 2x2, and a 2x4 are the same thickness. I googled, both are supposed to be 1-1/2 thick. So what the f is this? I checked receipt. It says 2x2.
Are those deck posts? Not a 2x2?
Here's the other head scratcher- if you didn't get treated boards, the 2x2 thickness would be the same as a 2x4. Why are treated 2x2 that small???? Makes no sense.
Which one is wrong? I've gotten treated boards that measured a good 3/8" too BIG before they dried out. Still a little big even after that.
2x4 is exactly 1-1/2. 2x2 is less than 1-1/4.
Last "2x2" i messed with was purchased as a 2x2 but was a ripped 2x4 and was 1/8" wider on the ripped side
It depends how many times they run them through the planer. A 2x4 is sawn to 2 inches by 4 inches and for construction one pass through the planer is enough and removes 1/4 inch per side. But the 2x2 you show is a finishing product and has been run through a second time for extra smoothness.
That 2x2 looks like handrail.
As was said above, it's been passed through a shaper, not just a planer.
lnlogauge said:2x4 is exactly 1-1/2. 2x2 is less than 1-1/4.
For the treated. But I just measured some untreated ones at 1 3/8 x 1 5/8.
It's almost like referring to something by an arbitrary dimension that is totally inaccurate might cause some confusion. Who would have guessed that would be an issue?
I have been known on more than one occasion, to rip 2x4's on my table saw for this very reason.
At least a 4 x 8 sheet of plywood still measures 48" x 96".
Those look like railing pickets mislabeled as 2x2's
2x2 in the lumber yards here are finger jointed garbage but they're 1.5 x 1.5
It's cheaper and you get better lumber if you buy 2x4 and rip them down to 2x2 when you need it.
In reply to ShawnG :
Cheaper, but you end up with boards that are not square. 1.5x1.75 Which can be a pain.
In reply to ShawnG :
Pressure treated railing in my Home Depot search brings me 2x2x42, so I guess? But it's not called railing, it's called 2x2. there's nothing under a 2x2 it could be mislabeled as.
to clarify, I bought the 2x2x8', not 42.
I'm about to start on a new fence for my backyard, you guys got me wondering if 2x4x8 still means an 8 foot 2x4. Guess i'm making a run to Lowe's before I start digging post holes for 4x4's at 8 feet apart.
My pet peeve is that 3/4 inch plywood is now often 18mm thick.
Could your 2x2 be 4 cut from a 2x6? 5 1/2 ÷ 4= 1 3/8 or so, if my early morning mental arithmetic is accurate.
Yep. The stuff varies.
And it will change again as it dries out.
Generally, pressure treated wood is delivered thicker than normal. Because the pressure treating process fills the dried cells of the wood and it expands. But it will shrink again when it dries.
Railing spindles have a much lower turnover rate than 2x4's, so they sit on the shelf drying (and shrinking) more before they are delivered.
But the original cuts also vary.
When trees are cut, they are near 100% moisture content.
Framing lumber is typically dried to a moisture content between 9% and 14%. Finish interior wood products are typically dried to 6%- 8% moisture content.
A 2x10 can shrink up to 1/2" when the moisture content moves from 30% to 14%.
Pressure treating usually kiln dries the material first to about 19% (to make space in the cells to absorb the preservative), then introduces preservative bringing the material back up to 75% or more. Drying processes after that vary, but it is often nearly 30% when purchased in the store
06HHR (Forum Supporter) said:I'm about to start on a new fence for my backyard, you guys got me wondering if 2x4x8 still means an 8 foot 2x4. Guess i'm making a run to Lowe's before I start digging post holes for 4x4's at 8 feet apart.
My local box stores all sell 8 foot 2x4s in two different lengths.......8 foot or 7 foot 9 inches. Measure before you load the cart.
bearmtnmartin (Forum Supporter) said:It depends how many times they run them through the planer. A 2x4 is sawn to 2 inches by 4 inches and for construction one pass through the planer is enough and removes 1/4 inch per side. But the 2x2 you show is a finishing product and has been run through a second time for extra smoothness.
That is where it originated, but these days they cut it to be much closer to the target size and plane off much less than 1/4". Sizes cut in the sawmill will partly depend on what the wood is to be used for, since if you make the target slightly smaller, you're more likely able to slip in an extra board into the log being cut and if you're just making studs, they don't care if the surface isn't 100% planed. If it's being cut for glue lam beams or such, it'll get cut thicker to ensure a 100% planed surface, since the gluing demands it. The wood going to the pressure treaters is planed while wet, then treated, so shrinkage is a bit varied and the final sizes won't be as consistent.
DeadSkunk (Warren) said:06HHR (Forum Supporter) said:I'm about to start on a new fence for my backyard, you guys got me wondering if 2x4x8 still means an 8 foot 2x4. Guess i'm making a run to Lowe's before I start digging post holes for 4x4's at 8 feet apart.
My local box stores all sell 8 foot 2x4s in two different lengths.......8 foot or 7 foot 9 inches. Measure before you load the cart.
The good ol framing stud. That got my exactly 1 time. I was very confused when I got home and they were just over a foot short of what I needed.
My local Lowe's carries quite a few lengths: the expected 96", the 93" framing stud that will produce a wall section 8' tall when combined with a sill and top plate, and other lengths including 10', 12', and 16'. There's even a few at 104 5/8" and 105", which I suppose are framing studs for 9' wall sections.
SV reX said:Generally, pressure treated wood is delivered thicker than normal. Because the pressure treating process fills the dried cells of the wood and it expands. But it will shrink again when it dries.
Railing spindles have a much lower turnover rate than 2x4's, so they sit on the shelf drying (and shrinking) more before they are delivered.
But the original cuts also vary.
Came here to say this. The only really reliable 1.5" stuff will be if it's marked "stud." The rest of it is more like "we started with a rough cut 2x4 or 2x6 and then smoothed it up for you." 5/4 deck boards are usually 1" thick. 2x4 and 2x6 are usually 3.5" and 5.5" tall, but when you get up into 2x8/10/12, the heights are usually 7.25/9.25/11.25" or something close to that.
You'll also find that studs are the only true length. If you get an 8' stud, it's 96" on the dot. If you get a 2x6x12, it will be more than 12'. Sometimes by 1/2 inch, sometimes 4" longer.
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