2007-09-19 20:39:08 · 23 answers · asked by ben t 3 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
Originally 2x4 Lumber was rough cut 2x4 it wasn't even an exact dimension at the time. It didn't matter at the time a lot of rooms were off square and plumb frequently. The reason they were just covered with wood lath and plastered ,the plasterers made up for the inaccuracies.Later with the advent of Dry wall a square smooth piece of lumber was required for fast plumb and square construction the rough cut lumber was modified to current dimensions.
2007-09-20 03:52:50 · answer #1 · answered by petethen2 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
As others have mentioned the term '2X4' began back when they really were 2X4. The term 'S4S' is not usually associated with a 2X4, as the true importance of S4S (smooth/surfaced 4 sides) is normally limited to lumber that is going to be used as finish material. What you will commonly hear though is 2X4 SPF, which refers to Spruce/Pine/Fir as the wood species your 2X4 comes from. You may also catch use of 'nominal 2X4'. Nominal is part of the technically correct full title today for the same reason the foot-long coney you had for lunch got re-titled some years back as an 'extra long coney'; truth in advertising.
2007-09-20 00:26:48 · answer #2 · answered by FatrCat 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I love the answers to this question every time it's asked. Thanks for the chuckles today.
Since Moses built the Arc, lumber mills have sawed a board to it's rough cut dimensions. Like 2 by 4. You can buy it like that and use it, or you can have a mill plane it smooth. Planing makes the 2 by 4 end up 1 1/2 by 3 1/2. Almost all dimensional lumber you buy now days is planed unless you buy from the mill.
2007-09-20 10:22:19 · answer #3 · answered by John himself 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
2 x 4 is the nominal size (for softwoods only, hardwoods are referred to differently). "Dressing" results in an actual size that is a minimum of 1 1/2 by 3 1/2.
2007-09-19 21:47:39 · answer #4 · answered by Martin 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When it comes out of the mill, it is actually 2" X 4", then it will get trimmed, planed and smoothed out and it becomes 1 1/2" X 3 1/2", they call that S4S which is stands for smooth four sides.
2007-09-19 22:54:26 · answer #5 · answered by Potentate 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
LOL! It's like driveway. in front of ur house. The driveway and you drive off onto a road. School for people. School of fish. OMG there are so many words like this. I'm too tired to think right now! Can u think of any. Trying to stay a wake here. Need something funny.
2007-09-19 20:47:36 · answer #6 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
2 x 4 is its unfinished size, meaning that's the size it was originally cut. This gets reduced by the final finishing process, althought he name doesn't change.
2007-09-19 20:41:33 · answer #7 · answered by Me 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In the old days a 2x4 really was 2x4, lumber companies started making them smaller and still sold them as such.
2007-09-19 20:41:09 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
It's 2in by4inches before it goes threw the planner. 2x4 is rough lumber
2007-09-19 23:47:51 · answer #9 · answered by jim c 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because men have historically ruled the construction world and we really like to lie about inches?
Really... The wood has to be split, planed, optionally sanded, and then it DRIES. That's the big one right there.
2007-09-19 20:44:30 · answer #10 · answered by jct101 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋