23
votes
Accepted
Is straight lumber a thing of the past?
I've worked through hundreds of units of framing lumber over the last 30 years, and the difference between big box lumber and "lumber yard" lumber is insubstantial, on average*. In fact, it'...
- 144k
22
votes
Is straight lumber a thing of the past?
You can find “straight grain” lumber, but most people don’t know how to order it and most “yards” (Home Depot, etc.) won’t order a small amount (half units, etc.).
Lumber is divided into three “Grades”...
- 23.4k
18
votes
How can I get true 1" thick oak boards?
If buying rough hardwood (from a mill or reasonable hardwood supplier, perhaps even one that will plane for you), buy 5/4 or even 6/4 rather than 4/4 boards. 13/16" planed is about as much as you ...
- 223k
17
votes
Accepted
What's the difference between "Framing Lumber" and "Framing Studs"?
Studs are cut to length at the mill so you can build your 8’ walls without cutting the ends off the top and bottom plates with studs make a quick tilt up wall, the rest is true 8’ 10’ 12’ . Note if ...
- 103k
17
votes
Are wooden pallets decent wood?
It depends what "worth it" means, because I would say it's much like other hobbies or activities that one can do. Is it worth it making your own candles? Your own quilts? Your own tri-level ...
- 2,242
17
votes
How to sand/smooth out this uneven/chipped wood?
I would leave the posts in place and build the wall around them. The footings for the posts are not the same as a footing for a load bearing wall. That slight difference in the beam at the bottom will ...
- 36.4k
15
votes
1" by 1" by 8' lumber : terminology and where to find?
Other than "go to a different material that's actually sold as 1x1", you have to custom cut it if that's what you settled on for a size. Aluminum extrusions might be a better choice, on ...
- 223k
12
votes
How should I handle a deck beam member that's slightly shorter than the others?
I don't like any of the A-C options presented here, the beam is a very important structural component and incorrect beam installations can compromise the entire deck. Shims, shortcuts and hoping for ...
- 4,788
12
votes
How can I get true 1" thick oak boards?
For sure, find a wood distributor in your area. These cater to professionals and might chop up a long board for you with a circular saw so it fits in your van. My friends and I have bought oak and ...
- 1,111
11
votes
Why are 2x4s really 1.5"x3.5"?
The reason given these days is quite a bunch of BS. The real reason is the lumber mills decided some decades ago to cut green wood smaller - getting more boards out of a log. The shrinkage continues ...
- 145
11
votes
Can I use lumber that has been stored outside?
Can I use lumber that has been stored outside?
You may have purchased your lumber at Lowe's "indoor lumber yard" or Home Depot's equivalent, but trust me, they store it outside before they ...
- 47.9k
9
votes
Why are 2x4s really 1.5"x3.5"?
You might find this interesting: History of Yard Lumber Size Standards
From the summary
Economic pressures among the regional areas of lumber production have resulted in a
decrease of standard ...
- 295
8
votes
Can I reduce the width of a board half an inch by sanding?
It is not feasible to sand down a wooden member by a whole half of an inch.
If something is too long then cut off the additional half inch using a saw.
If something is too thick (wide) by the half ...
- 65.7k
7
votes
1" by 1" by 8' lumber : terminology and where to find?
Try looking for square dowels. Another option would be the local cabinet or millwork shop. They can easily mill 1"x1"x8' squares from any species wood type you choose. If you have access to ...
- 609
6
votes
How to sand/smooth out this uneven/chipped wood?
You want to even out the underside of a (presumably) nail laminated beam to install a wall where the line of posts are.
So to make it level just add thin wood (MDF . plywwood, hardboard, card, ...
- 23.2k
6
votes
Accepted
Is there a term for cutting, planing and jointing wood?
Who ever you find, the correct term for the woodworking you described as needing is milling, so you got that right.
The normal sequence for prepping lumber/boards that aren't quite perfect or the ...
- 23.2k
6
votes
Accepted
Where can I find ¾" x 2 ⅞" (~actual size) boards for window sill repair? Everything I find is ½" too long or too short!
A little extra work, but basically get the smaller dimension (3/4") off the shelf and cut to the other dimension (2-7/8") with a saw. A portable table saw is probably the easiest way to get ...
6
votes
What size scaffolding wooden planks should I use
I simply don't like using single planks for scaffolding. If they aren't carefully selected, a flaw can result in a quick, unpleasant ride through the atmosphere. They also tend to be very bouncy, ...
- 144k
6
votes
1" by 1" by 8' lumber : terminology and where to find?
There's more than one type of lumber.
The basic "dimensional lumber" you find at Home Depot or Lowes is very low density juvenile white pine or redwood "pecker poles", small ...
6
votes
Should I be concerned about this bent stud?
It should be plumbed, straightened and blocked. That wall appears to carry the doubled rim joist along the stairwell, which in turn carries the common joists intersecting it.
If, however, there are ...
- 144k
5
votes
Accepted
Warp resistance of plywood vs solid SPF lumber
Plywood is inherently more stable than solid wood due to having been constructed in layers with grain at alternating right angles. Specifically, plywood with many thin layers will be more stable, and ...
- 144k
5
votes
Accepted
A-Frame Bracket for 4x8 swing beam
I would refrain from using that type of fastener. I believe it will allow a lot of movement. I made a sketch to show what I have made before, many years ago. It does not have any hangers just angled ...
- 36.4k
5
votes
Accepted
I spend long time in picking lumber. What do you look for when selecting boards?
I literally buy pressure-treated wood sight-unseen.
I live near a chain of lumber yards that offers convenient delivery at a reasonable price. They offer pressure-treated fence posts with a ...
- 761
5
votes
Cedar shims disappeared because of COVID-19
This has been a well-known issue since the pandemic started. Materials have been scarce, and prices have increased dramatically.
This seems to be due to issues on both the supply and the demand sides. ...
- 4,987
5
votes
Is straight lumber a thing of the past?
The problem with today’s lumber it comes off much smaller trees and unless #2 or better kiln dried it can look like what you are finding.
Today to get what you have you basically have to purchase ...
- 103k
4
votes
What amount of wood defects is acceptable in a lumber delivery?
That is some sub-quality lumber and I'd be very upset as well. It's almost like they dumped their reject pile on you knowing that you might not bulk due to the large delivery fees involved and the ...
- 5,739
4
votes
What amount of wood defects is acceptable in a lumber delivery?
If you didn’t order your lumber by “grade”, then you don’t have much to complain about.
If you ordered 27-2x4’s and you got 27-2x4’s, then they fulfilled the order correctly.
The lowest “grade” of ...
- 23.4k
4
votes
Are wooden pallets decent wood?
TLDR: In addition to the time to dismantle the pallet, consider the possible chemical treatment of the wood and possible contamination from previous use.
Wood pallets can be chemically treated to make ...
- 203
4
votes
Are wooden pallets decent wood?
TL;DR
What's stopping you from dismantling one? You will quickly formulate an opinion of whether it's worth it or not.
Pallets are usually held together with nails that have a barbed shank or rings ...
- 16.8k
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible