Dimension Lumber- Sizes history

[Al K]

Apologizes if this is the incorrect group for this sort of query, if
so maybe someone will point me in the correct direction.

I'd like to know about the history of the sizes of dimension lumber in
the US.

What were the dimensions of dimension lumber in the past? When did
the standard change? I vaguely recall US dimension lumber standards
changing in the 60's ?? I suppose the standard has changed several
times.

In our old 1927 house boards are true 1" and studs are true 2" x 4".
I recall when we moved in 40 years ago finding some 2x4's in the
garage rafters and needing some quick sawhorses I bought some sawhorse
brackets and had to shave those old 2x's down so they'd fit.

Anyone know the history of the sizes of US dimension lumber or where
to find it? Google failed me, but maybe I used poor search keywords.

[Js Walker Lazenby Jr]

Post by Al K
Apologizes if this is the incorrect group for this sort of

query, if

Post by Al K
so maybe someone will point me in the correct direction.
I'd like to know about the history of the sizes of

dimension lumber in

Post by Al K
the US.
What were the dimensions of dimension lumber in the past?

When did

Post by Al K
the standard change? I vaguely recall US dimension lumber

standards

Post by Al K
changing in the 60's ?? I suppose the standard has

changed several

Post by Al K
times.
In our old 1927 house boards are true 1" and studs are

true 2" x 4".

Post by Al K
I recall when we moved in 40 years ago finding some 2x4's

in the

Post by Al K
garage rafters and needing some quick sawhorses I bought

some sawhorse

Post by Al K
brackets and had to shave those old 2x's down so they'd

fit.

Post by Al K
Anyone know the history of the sizes of US dimension

lumber or where

Post by Al K
to find it? Google failed me, but maybe I used poor

search keywords.

Post by Al K
--
Al K

Try Google again, Al . . .

. . . for several references for starters.

Search "American Softwood Lumber Standards" for a number of
URLs (nothing in their paid advertisers, however).

You will notice URLs referencing PS20-xx, with xx being the
year (19xx) for the then-current standard. The standards
cover far more than finished sizes, however. You'll
understand why there have been and continue to be several
"standard" sizes. The URLs reference the National Bureau of
Standards, Product Standard PS20-xx. There are also
regional (and state) standards.

Or you may skip some of the variety and go straight to
www.alsc.org/untreated_ps20_mod

I doubt there was a "standard" as such in the 1920s . . .
perhaps late in the 20s, but it would not have been national
and certainly not universal. Framing lumber in houses built
in the early 1920s is not consistent in dimensional sizing
even from the same mill. Especially is there differences in
lumber thickness. Lumber width was often adjusted to suit
in the field. What differences were not made up by plaster
thickness were adjusted by hatchet or shim. If there was a
dimensional lumber standard set by, say, the National Bureau
of Standards, it certainly was not typically followed. Such
would have been a practical standard for international
trade, etc., but not from the mill to the building site.
Even today, most of the soft wood dimensional lumber size
standards are "voluntary."

Jim

[blah]

Post by Al K
Apologizes if this is the incorrect group for this sort of query, if
so maybe someone will point me in the correct direction.
I'd like to know about the history of the sizes of dimension lumber in
the US.
What were the dimensions of dimension lumber in the past? When did
the standard change? I vaguely recall US dimension lumber standards
changing in the 60's ?? I suppose the standard has changed several
times.
In our old 1927 house boards are true 1" and studs are true 2" x 4".
I recall when we moved in 40 years ago finding some 2x4's in the
garage rafters and needing some quick sawhorses I bought some sawhorse
brackets and had to shave those old 2x's down so they'd fit.
Anyone know the history of the sizes of US dimension lumber or where
to find it? Google failed me, but maybe I used poor search keywords.
--
Al K

Lets see,
In NZ we still call a 100x50 a 4x2 (we are metric since the 70s' but the
phrase is still there, easier to say I suppose). Neither of which is really
true. A (planed and gauged) 100x50 is more normally somewhere from 90 - 93 x
45 - 47. The standard I think is rough sawn timber, which is 100x50 (or 4x2)
when it comes out of the mill. Where the standards orginated from is
anyone's guess. I have pictures of a family home made from slabs (flitches),
taken in the late 1800s', I doubt whether there were any 4x2s' in there!.

Blah

[Roarmeister]

Post by blah

--
Al K

Lets see,
In NZ we still call a 100x50 a 4x2 (we are metric since the 70s' but the
phrase is still there, easier to say I suppose). Neither of which is really
true. A (planed and gauged) 100x50 is more normally somewhere from 90 - 93 x
45 - 47. The standard I think is rough sawn timber, which is 100x50 (or 4x2)
when it comes out of the mill. Where the standards orginated from is
anyone's guess. I have pictures of a family home made from slabs (flitches),
taken in the late 1800s', I doubt whether there were any 4x2s' in there!.

Gee, down under, must you invert everything - a 2x4 becomes a 4x2 ???
<<just kidding>>

A finished kiln-dried 2x4 in Canada is 38x89 (1 1/2" x 3 1/2") give or
take a mm depending on moisture content.
2x6 38x140
2x8 38x184
2x10 38x235
2x12 38x286

My parents house (circa 1910) has 2x9's(wet?) for floor joists. At
least they measure out to be 1 3/4" x 8 5/8" (dry, unplaned)

[Bob Marencin]

You might find an answer at Georgia pacific's website
www.gp.com

From what i have been told
the sizes today come from an original piece of lumber
2x4 that is cut wet then dried in a kiln to its nominal size.

wet meaning it has not been dried.

you may want to look into when Kiln drying of lumber started
if you find something please share.

bob marencin
www.yourepair.com

Post by Al K
Apologizes if this is the incorrect group for this sort of query, if
so maybe someone will point me in the correct direction.
I'd like to know about the history of the sizes of dimension lumber in
the US.
What were the dimensions of dimension lumber in the past? When did
the standard change? I vaguely recall US dimension lumber standards
changing in the 60's ?? I suppose the standard has changed several
times.
In our old 1927 house boards are true 1" and studs are true 2" x 4".
I recall when we moved in 40 years ago finding some 2x4's in the
garage rafters and needing some quick sawhorses I bought some sawhorse
brackets and had to shave those old 2x's down so they'd fit.
Anyone know the history of the sizes of US dimension lumber or where
to find it? Google failed me, but maybe I used poor search keywords.
--
Al K