How much can I expect to save from rough cut Lumber Vrs traditional?

Question

Half? more than half? 20%? On average what can I expect to save?

hence the word average

Answer 1

Rough cut vs traditional? I think you may be missing some information here....

First... what kind of lumber, and what is it to be used for?

Lumber used in furniture and cabinetry for example, can be purchased smooth 4 side, or planed 'hit and miss', or rough sawn (no planing). It also comes in fixed specific lengths or random length. Then you can get into what grade of lumber... A shop without a big planer might order all their lumber in smooth 4 side. Typically, I bought lumber in random length, 'hit and miss'...Ive used a LOT of oak like this, hehehe

Now... all of that lumber is kiln dried...

When you start talking about 'lumber' as in construction lumber (2"x4", 2'x12" etc)... youre usually talking about Fir or Pine. You can purchase it at "stud length", or fixed lengths of 8ft, 10ft etc. This is also kiln dried.


"Rough Cut" - usually means just that.... it is not cut to a specific length, but it is close.... In furniture manufacturing, I would specify a minimum length, and get a variety. It is less expensive to purchase furniture grade lumber this way. But it is ALSO one of the 'traditional' methods of purchasing it. For construction timber, this usually means the stuff that is left over when all the good straight pieces have been picked out already.

There is another method of purchasing wood... and that is to buy it "GREEN" - that is, it has NOT been kiln dried. Lumber with a high moisture content goes through all kinds of changes...warping, cupping, twisting, splitting...so keep that in mind.

Now.. as to how much you can save...
For furniture application lumber, you can save some by purchasing it only surface planed hit and miss... IF you have the equipment to run it yourself...but then youve got that cost to incur...so the question is...can you do it cheaper than your supplier? You might save 10 to 20%

With construction lumber those stacks that say 'rough cut' are usually about half price - but youre going to lose more to warp and twist - potentially a LOT more, so keep that in mind, if you are actually building a room or house. Rough cut studs work fine for small hobby projects - I wouldnt try to build an addition out of them tho.

Have Fun

Answer 2

Rough Cut Lumber

Answer 3

1

Answer 4

Lumber or hardwood? Lumber is not worth the aggravation. Hardwood is apx 20-30% cheaper rough sawn. But you'd better have a lot of equipment and experience to take rough sawn hardwood and dress it all 6 sides. A good tablesaw, 3 hp min.,(1600) not a cheap portable Home Depot special, a good surface plane (900) and a good longbed jointer (850). It takes a lot of working knowledge of the nature of the boards and how they want to move to head off problems and get the most board feet per your dollar.
Unless your going to do it often and every year and charge people to do it, its a loosing proposition for your case. Buy your lumber dressed.

Answer 5

rough cut lumber is bit cheaper but i don't how much

Answer 6

Not sure the exact savings but I bought rough cut for 50cents a foot.

Answer 7

It depends on availability in your area, and costs for transport (if it is needed to be shipped in)

Answer 8

I second everything the guy above me said!!!

It can be a loaded question.......... you need all the extra machinery to work the rough cut..............