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Questions tagged [lumber]

For questions involving the use of lumber as a construction material.

Lumber

Lumber is wood in any of its stages from felling through readiness for use as structural material for construction, or wood pulp for paper production.

Lumber is supplied either rough or finished. Besides pulpwood, rough lumber is the raw material for furniture-making and other items requiring additional cutting and shaping. Finished lumber is supplied in standard sizes, mostly for the construction industry, primarily softwood from coniferous species including pine, fir and spruce (collectively known as Spruce-pine-fir), cedar, and hemlock, but also some hardwood, for high-grade flooring.

Lumber is commonly available in standardized dimensions - this is known as dimensional lumber. Dimensional lumber made from softwood is typically used for construction, while hardwood boards are more commonly used for making cabinets or furniture.

More information

Wikipedia on lumber

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How do I understand this description of lumber?

The instructions to a DIY project asks me to purchase something described as: 8-foot ¾-inch clear pine 1 x 8 What exactly does this mean. Here's my guess 8-foot: the length of the board ¾-inch: the actual height? clear: no knots? 1 x 8: in inches…
Michael J Swart
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How can I get true 1" thick oak boards?

I'm trying to make a drawer face to match the other cabinet and drawer faces in my kitchen. They are all 1" thick, so I'd like to match that size. I'm trying to buy some unfinished oak boards that I can cut to size and then route around the edges,…
rothloup
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Is 90mm x 45mm a metric 4x2?

This is similar to this question about metric measurements. In Australia, a common measurement is 90mm x 45mm for timber. A 4x2 would be (approx) 100mm x 50mm but, as I understand it, that is the milled rather than final measurement. Does the…
dave
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55g aquarium dimensional lumber support

I know there are a lot of questions on here questioning the weight bearing capabilities of dimensional lumber but this seems like such a specific scenario since the load is static and completely even. This is a stand made entirely of 2x6 SPF lumber…
Erik Nakamura
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Substituting lumber sizes for ground contact bridge sill and ease of handling for one person

I'm building a small bridge over a creek on my property and using some forest service plans which recommend 8x8 ground contact lumber kept in place by earth anchors for the sills that the bridge stringers rest on. It's not out of the budget to use…
Drewsonian
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Will a horizontal 2x4 support my body weight?

I want to use a framed doorway to do chinups but I'd hate to come crashing down to the floor on my tail bone. This doorway is framed but not drywalled. I realize there are a lot of factors but not sure how to calculate this. The stamp on the 2x4…
Vincent
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How large a span can a 4x6 hold safely for a swing set.?

I have a 4x6x16 to use for the header of a swing set. I was going to span 12 ft between supports and cantilever 4 ft but I now would prefer to put the supports at each end. I would hang 4 swings over the 16-ft span. Assuming 200 pounds per swing,…
Debbie
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Can I use a 4x6x16 top beam for a cantilevered swing set?

I have a 4x6x16 beam that I would like to use on a new swing set. If I span 12 feet between supports, can I leave one or both ends cantilevered to support an additional swing?
Debbie
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How to tell if 2x4 is untreated and safe for indoor project?

I bought some 2x4s from homedepot. Took a picture of the stamp. How can you tell if it's treated or not? Is it safe for indoor furniture project?
qinking126
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PT lumber as the swingset frame

I am planning to build a swing set for my kids and was going to use PT lumber. I was not too much concerned with the chemical issues because my kids were now old enough. Also, the PT lumbers are cheaper than the other lumbers. Then, a friend of mine…
DSKim
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Air drying wood: whole dead limbs

I've been toying with the idea of replacing part of our stair railing and the newel post and replacing the newel post with a natural limb. I recently had to take down a limb from our Madrona tree. It was about 12' long, of which I'd like to use…
DA01
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What is the minimum nominal dimensional lumber size to span a 76" gap?

I want to span a 76" gap. People won't walk on it, but I want to make sure it could support an adult. What is the minimum size I should use? Suggested Edit: This is to hold a decorative item. It is not a walkway. However, an adult would stand on…
Marinaio
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What lumber for window seat frame?

I'm making window seat with storage. Do I need 2x4 for the framing or can I use smaller size lumber - eg 1x3?
Deb Robertson
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Replacing two 2" x 12" - 24 (span) with comparable strength LVL beam

I'm the GC for my home palapa (covered patio) project. No walls, with 4 posts to support a 20' x 24'roof (metal roof). My framer gave me a B.O.M. of 4 each 2"x 12"-24 feet and 4 each 2"x12"-20 feet, plus many other pcs. I'm sure his experience he…
Michael Rodgers
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Are cedar planks from a home center store suitable for a sauna?

When I look-up cedar boards on various home center web sites, I see many choices, but I'm not sure which most closely matches the typical sauna prefab and pre-cut kits. My situation is such that a standard kit would not fit, and it seems custom…
Dale
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