Wood Dimensions?

[Chuck Rebhorn]

Being new to woodworking, I have a lot of questions. When someone says, I am using Cherry wood 4/8 by 6" (I think that's right).
What are they saying?? smile.gif

[Dave Arbuckle]

You (or they) have it backward. Someone might say, I am using Cherry 8/4 ("eight quarter") by 6".

Measuring in quarters indicates that they are using rough cut lumber. If the lumber was purchased finish planed, it would generally be listed in "inches", like 2 inch.

So, here's the oddity. If you run out and buy some "one by" finish planed material, it will not be one inch thick. It will usually be 3/4", though that varies according to how diligent the planer operator is. If you buy "four quarter" rough material, it should be one full inch thick, or a little over. Again, depends on how diligent the sawyer is.

Head hurt yet? ;)

Six inch is, of course, the width.

Next, board foot calculations, or lumber grading? :D

Dave

[Chuck Rebhorn]

I get it "I think" so if the right number is
4/8 they really are saying 2" rough cut stock by 6" wide..am I correct smile.gif

[Hergy]

Kinda makes you wish you would have taken up metalworking where an inch is really an inch. :D One inch bar stock is pretty close to really being an Inch (how about that?)

Hang in there, Chuck. In a goofy sort of way it all starts to make sense. smile.gif

[Dave Arbuckle]

You're still writing it backward. Not "4/8", but rather "8/4". Eight quarters.

Not that you cannot measure wood in eighths, of course ;), but the standard measurement is quarters.

Dave

[Chuck Rebhorn]

I really appreciate the help.

chuck :cool: