Hey Chuck, It was a great thread. Thanks for starting it. Given that you're a marine woodworker, I thought you'd have something more to say about 2 x 4's, which as was pointed out, are actually 2 1/2 x 3 1/2's or, as we're beginning to notice up here, 2 3/8 x 3 3/8's. Hope she floats. Cheers, Garrett

E16@telus.net writes: >Given that you're a marine woodworker, I thought you'd have >something more >to say about 2 x 4's, which as was pointed out, are actually 2 1/2 x >3 >1/2's 2 x 4's when they are freshly cut are indeed 2 x 4 and very rough. Then they go into the planer to make them nice and smooth and come out as 1 1/2 by 3 1/2 - not 2 1/2 by 3 1/2 ( they become smaller, not bigger...)

George Geist <scaramouche@tvo.org> writes: >2x 4's when they are freshly cut are indeed 2 x 4 and very rough. > Then they go into the planer to make them nice and smooth and come > out as 1 1/2 by 3 1/2 - not 2 1/2 by 3 1/2 ( they become smaller, not > bigger...) George, When Garrett made the comment that appeared to imply that 2x4's (planed or rough) got bigger, he was replying to my original comment where, indeed, I said that nowadays, 2x4's were actually 1 1/2 x 3 1/2's. I understand about the planing reducing the size a bit, but at one time, a 2x4 was a true 2x4. As anyone who has worked on older houses with new materials can attest, this difference can be a pain in the butt in getting everything square or even. All of that being said, perhaps in Garrett's neck of the woods (British Columbia), the 2x4's actually do get bigger (maybe it's like a "everything's bigger and better in Texas" thing). But, you're in Ontario, and I'm originally from Ontario, and we both know how it works there. Down here in North Carolina, we don't care what size a 2x4 really is, as long as it doesn't snow!! <VBG> All disclaimers apply here, especially the one about being Canadian. Regards, John "Just Keel-ing Time" Lake Norman NC