Re:Ending the Era of the U.S. Survey Foot
by Jamwinner on Friday January 31, 2020 @08:02PM
(#22207719)
No the difference is that we process wood now. Look up dimensional lumber. Its confusing, but makes sense if looked at historically. Iy is not shrinkflation or any other such nonsense.
Re:Ending the Era of the U.S. Survey Foot
by beerandt on Friday January 31, 2020 @08:43PM
(#22207930)
While i don't doubt they're cheating it a bit, the dimensions originally refered to rough cut, pre-dried lumber. Most of the difference came from finish cuts and drying.
My house was built in 1860. The 2x4s are basically 2x4.
Re:Ending the Era of the U.S. Survey Foot
by beerandt on Friday January 31, 2020 @09:21PM
(#22208134)
Yeah, I went through a remodel and dealt with the same thing, trying to get drywall to line up on old (1970) and new walls. There's more to it than that, but it's the quick version.
On the other hand, if you find a smaller mill, usually the ones specializing in hardwood, you can still get "full size" cuts, usually without even asking.
Re:Ending the Era of the U.S. Survey Foot
by analog31 on Friday January 31, 2020 @09:05PM
(#22208057)
My house was built in 1962, and there were some exposed studs, and spares made into things like garage shelves. The old 2x4's are bigger than new 2x4's.
Re:Ending the Era of the U.S. Survey Foot
by Taniwha on Friday January 31, 2020 @07:42PM
(#22207567)
Here in NZ when we switched to metric nothing changed, 2x4s (well we call the 4x2s) were never quite 2x4, and 50x100s (the metric replacement) are close enough (but still not quite) that nothing really changed
Well, it used to be pretty close, until lumber manufacturers and builders cheaped out. They've been gradually "shrinkflating" by reducing the thickness, conveniently requiring less wood. This went along with the switch to fast-growing garbage pine. I lived for a long time in an early-fifties house, and the quality of the wood was vastly superior to what you'd find today. Though, the newer measurements did make things a pain.