What is dimensional lumber?

Question

I'm building a box out of plywood and was told to use dimensional lumber?

Answer 1

I am a Carpenter and I do wood working for a hobby. Dimensioned Lumber is the stuff that houses are built out of: 2x4, 2x6, 1x8, 4x12, etc. This lumber is 1/2" smaller in each direction of cross section than the stated size, so a 2x4 is 1 1/2"x 3 1/2" and so on. By definition dimensioned lumber is S4S, or Surfaced four sides. Nondimensioned lumber can be S3S, S2S, or Rough cut. S3S is surface planed on both faces and one side, the remaining side is not straight or smooth and these boards must be cut to whatever width you will be using, they are cheaper than S4S. S2S is Surface Planed on just the faces and so must be run through a jointer before you Rip it to width, it is cheaper than S3S. Rough cut lumber is not planed on any surface and so you must handle all of the milling operations (that's another answer) before you cut it to width, it is the cheapest way to buy lumber. Of all of the different ways to buy lumber Rough cut is the best way to get all of the wood that you pay for but it takes the most time to turn into usable lumber. If you got the plans for your box from a commercial source and they call out dimensioned lumber they take into account the smaller size of the S4S lumber.

Answer 2

What Is Dimensional Lumber

Answer 3

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RE:
What is dimensional lumber?
I'm building a box out of plywood and was told to use dimensional lumber?

Answer 4

Did the person you asked know what you intended for use, or not! As to the reference on dimensional lumber being used, unlike standard stock such as #2 white pine boards 1 X 6 etc. These are actually 3/4"T X 5 1/2" w. The difference is the premium materials will be actually 6" wide or what ever size your using. the thickness will be the same as the standard stuff. but it's easier to construct to the size dimension without trying to figure out the size loss into the equation. They do cost a bit more, and the grade is a much better quality for furnishing and furniture construction projects.

Answer 5

To make is simple its just Lumber sold at all Stores. Lowes , or Home Depot and others. No one carries full size lumber. Its all dimensional.

Answer 6

dimensional lumber is just lumber that has already been cut to a specific standard size like a 2x4. If you go to Home Depot to get your plywood, it will be dimensional

Answer 7

Try some wholesalers first, then some millshops. Millshops maybe willing to sell in small quantities. If you need larger quantities, over 100 boardfeet at a time, you should try a wholesaler. But even then 100 brdfeet is a small quantity for a wholesaler, so they may direct you back to one of their customers. But I'd start as far up the supply chain as possible. One thing to remember-typically, the higher up the supply chain, the rougher the material maybe. For example, if you only get it from a wholesaler it may come S2S SLR, if not familiar with the terms, surface planed 2 sides, straight line ripped. You would need to plane the third side and rip. But from a millshop it may be S3S, meaning you may only need to do some surface sanding. One millshop here runs the lumber through a drum sander, but charges a bit more. It is worth the bit extra, so the customer doesn't need to sand. It really is up to you how much extra work you are willing to do.

Answer 8

dimensional lumber is just standard lumber you buy at lumber yards, home depot, lowes, etc.

Answer 9

Dimensional lumber is the product of the sawmill where it is mechanically shaped to industry standard dimensions-width, thickness, length.

Answer 10

take a tape measure and go to the store. measure a 4 x 8 sheet of plywood. It should be 4 x 8. Measure a 2 x 4 board, it will be 1 3/4 by 3 3/4. always measure before you cut.