Replies

1. 
   DougU | Dec 16, 2005 03:11am | #1

   5/4 is more  like the rough sawn dimensions, after the planning its going to be close to 1"

   Just as 4/4 is going to be 3/4 or 7/8" and so on and so on.

   Do you specifically need 5/4" wood? If so you may have to get 6/4" and mill it down a tad, cause it wont be 6/4" thick!

   Doug

2. 
   slykarma | Dec 16, 2005 03:17am | #2

   2x4s are only 3 1/2" wide, 2x6 is 5 1/2" and so on. 1x4 is 3/4" thick so it's no surprise that 5/4 comes out at a clean inch. The nominal sizes are the stock before planing/shrinkage allowance.

   If you're using planning on using 5/4 for decking material, it will comfortably span 16" between joists.

   Lignum est bonum.
1. 
   beertruck | Dec 16, 2005 03:23am | #3

   Thanks....

3. 
   kcoyner | Dec 16, 2005 03:31am | #4

   beer,

   Those measurments are what the board is before it is surfaced.  I.O.W., a 5/4 is about an 1 1/4" when it comes off the log at a saw mill.  From there, it is most often kiln dried to the moisture content that is in the acceptable range for it's intended purpose or purposes.  Then is surfaced on the edges and faces, most often surfaced on 4 sides.  Hince "S4S" lumber.  A 5/4 board will be 1" net post surfacing.  4/4 will be 3/4".  6/4 will be be 1 1/4" and so on. 

   Most lumber is at some point sold by the board foot.  That's  4/4 or 1 x 12" width and 12" length  or 1 sq. ft. of 1" thick lumver in the rough.  If their is no waste, the finished product will be 3/4" x 11 1/4" width and 12" long.  It can be confusing to make calculations using board ft.  For example: When you figure out how much hardwood flooring you need for a room you figure length x width and get the square footage.  Next you go to the flooring mill and they ask how many bd. ft. you want.  For standard 3/4" thick and 2 1/4" face, you will need to multiply the square footage by 1.4.  My flooring mill has converted to selling by the sq.ft. in the last few years.  I guess they finally got tired of seeing that dumbfounded look on the faces of their customers. 

   k

   
   

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   Edited 12/15/2005 7:33 pm ET by kcoyner

4. 
   Piffin | Dec 16, 2005 03:32am | #5

   The 5/4 is the rough cut size.

   Depending on the species, the mill, and the moisture content, the finished product I see varies from 15/16" to 1-1/16"

    

    

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