2007-11-16 18:36:13 · 8 answers · asked by smash979 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
They start out as 2" X 4" then are milled smooth so you can handle them without getting your hands ripped up by the raw saw cut lumber.
2007-11-16 18:44:45 · answer #1 · answered by G.T. Hildebrand 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The size of a 2x4, or 2" by 4" is actually 1 1/2" by 3 1/2". Now if you were in construction, you would use MANY of these boards. I mean, MANY, talking about them a lot, asking for them a lot, you get the idea. 2x4 is just a more simple vocabulary for this board. Because 1 1/2, or 1.5, is rounded to 2. 3 1/2", or 3.5, is rounded to 4. Giving us a 2x4. These "2x4" comes in different lengths. The "2x4" refers to the width and heights of the board, not the length.
2007-11-16 18:50:36 · answer #2 · answered by kg6wyl 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If you order a rough cut 2x4 you will get a board2" x 4". If you want it smooth, they plane it down to 1 1/2 X 3 1/2.
2007-11-16 18:56:26 · answer #3 · answered by paul 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
2" x 4" is what the lumber starts out as.
Then it gets kiln dried and milled... these two operations bring it down to about 1 5/8" x 3 1/2"
Green lumber starts out at up to 60% moisture content. A combination of air drying and kiln drying brings it down to about 8% for studs, 6% for wood that is turned into furniture. The drier it is, less likely it will warp due to stress.
The planing (all 4 sides) helps to remove all the rough saw marks, leaving you with a smoother stud.
The same thing applies to other lumber too... a "1x6" isnt 1" x 6" -- it holds to the same ratio, and comes out about 3/4" x 5 1/2".
Have Fun
2007-11-16 19:51:40 · answer #4 · answered by thewrangler_sw 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Looks like Paul has the best answer to me....but left out one thing...shrinking of the wood after it drys...they are cut at the mill at 2/4 then planned smooth and then the shrinking...at least that's what I got when I Googled it
2007-11-16 19:07:57 · answer #5 · answered by little eagle 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
construction terminology we dont say 2inche by 4inches of rough lumber you should say 2x4 rough
a finish smooth wood measures 2inches by 4inches smooth two edge and smooth 2 sides you should 2x4 s2e2 or s4s
they understand it better in short form
2007-11-16 19:04:56 · answer #6 · answered by joey b 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As other posters have said...
A rough cut 2" x 4" is exactly that...
It will have bark on some sides of it and will have rough edges as well as it will not be cut straight...
To get a better more true board they run it through planers....The end result is a more rectangular board which is better to build with...No bark and straighter...
2007-11-16 19:33:51 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
They were back when they were hand made. Now that you have new saw mills it just comes out like they do now. Y don't they change the name? No idea.
2007-11-16 18:40:31 · answer #8 · answered by bryang702 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋