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> ... as a piece of softwood lumber dries, it shrinks. That can change plans for how it’s used on the job site. This was quite a revelation when I first tried
by aazaa 6y ago
> ... as a piece of softwood lumber dries, it shrinks. That can change plans for how it’s used on the job site.
This was quite a revelation when I first tried to build something with 2x4's. They weren't 2"x4"!
- mtrower 6y agoIf you're referring to the fact that they were 1.5" by 3.5", that wasn't shrinkage. That's nominal vs. Actual size. The lumber is indeed 2x4 at rough cut, but when you buy S4S (surfaced four sides) lumber, it's been surfaced down smooth. That process takes some material off, leaving you with the half-inch discrepancy.
- TwoBit 6y agoWell I think it's even more important to consider that if anything you make is exposed to moisture (including simply being in a high humidity environment) then it will expand across the grain. That can cause problems. Favorite story is how my beachfront dad hired a handyman to install a door and the next day it was stuck.