what gives, a 2x8 isn't a 2x8??!

[DemonZ]

I got some 2"x8" x10' and 2"x8" x8' lumber, and the 8 footers are wider than the 10 footers. I got them from Homers, and after getting the pick of the litter (3rd time there, man there was a lot of warped and damaged wood to pick through!) I finally did the layout on the deck and Nooo! the 8 footers are 1/4 inch different than the 10's.

 

 

I don't want to shim half my joists. Anyone know whats up?

 

 

I am aware that the name isn't exactly the measured dimension, but I would think that the wood within a "family" should not be off by 1/4 inch.

[Brett6485]

Wood shrinks, if the wood is shipped wet its usually cut a bit bigger. Let it sit in the sun for a couple days.

[DemonZ]

That sounds reasonable. I am a little concerned that the sun will warp them like some other wood I left out. No sunshine to speak of last few days too...

 

 

Anyone else? The 8 footers are uniformly 1/4 inch wider.

[BlackBeaut]

Dunno if it's any help, but over here you can buy timber like this as either regularised or, erm, not! Basically regularised has gone through an additional planing process so that all the timber is then guaranteed to be the same dimensions, and whilst still sold at the nominal 2x8 or 2x10 etc. it's actually slightly smaller by about the amount you describe.

 

Cheers,

Rob

[Paz8]

I'm asumming it's pressure treated lumber, I've already bought some that felt pretty heavy, alot of moisture in it even if it's stored indoors. Letting it dry out as suggested is the way to go, wet lumber makes hammering nails very hard.