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- Feb 13, 2017
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- 2,138
O.T., sorta. Still regarding measurements; mostly a rant.
My house is old. Not just old, but old. Built in 1886, best I can figure from the deed and documentation. It consists of 2X4 walls. In the original part, the 2X4 is 2+ by 4+ red pine. In the additions, from before 1913, a 2X4 is 1-7/8 by 3-7/8. In more modern updates, post depression era, a 2X4 is 1-5/8 by 3-5/8. In my era, since 1975, that 2X4 is now 1-1/2 by 3-1/2. When I was updating the electrical system, ca. 1975-6, I had trouble drilling through some of the old lumber. When I started doing carpenter and finish restoration, I had to purchase a (current)2X6, and then plane it down to get a (true)1X5 for an older wall. Since both sides were exposed, shims wouldn't work.
With that in mind, what's wrong with metric measurement for lumber? Except that metric standards are smaller still. An example would be in plywood. Yes, it's still 4 ft by 8 ft. But nominal U.S. standards are getting harder to find. 1/2" CDX, sheating grade, is now sold as 15/32 inch. Close, but it is still 12 millimeter. A fuzz under 15/32. In many cases, it doesn't matter. In my case, I had to compensate when I made some esoteric repair. Another shim... ... I suspect, if truth be known, the really modern 2X4s are metric, just sized to look like 1-1/2 X 3-1/2.
I could rant for hours on the subject of reducing the sizes (and quality) of lumber. But why should I raise my blood pressure worrying about it. Just move to metric sizes, it can't be any more complex than what I deal with in reduced planed sizes. When you are building new, it doesn't come up. Only when a cheap old buzzard like me gets involved.
My house is old. Not just old, but old. Built in 1886, best I can figure from the deed and documentation. It consists of 2X4 walls. In the original part, the 2X4 is 2+ by 4+ red pine. In the additions, from before 1913, a 2X4 is 1-7/8 by 3-7/8. In more modern updates, post depression era, a 2X4 is 1-5/8 by 3-5/8. In my era, since 1975, that 2X4 is now 1-1/2 by 3-1/2. When I was updating the electrical system, ca. 1975-6, I had trouble drilling through some of the old lumber. When I started doing carpenter and finish restoration, I had to purchase a (current)2X6, and then plane it down to get a (true)1X5 for an older wall. Since both sides were exposed, shims wouldn't work.
With that in mind, what's wrong with metric measurement for lumber? Except that metric standards are smaller still. An example would be in plywood. Yes, it's still 4 ft by 8 ft. But nominal U.S. standards are getting harder to find. 1/2" CDX, sheating grade, is now sold as 15/32 inch. Close, but it is still 12 millimeter. A fuzz under 15/32. In many cases, it doesn't matter. In my case, I had to compensate when I made some esoteric repair. Another shim... ... I suspect, if truth be known, the really modern 2X4s are metric, just sized to look like 1-1/2 X 3-1/2.
I could rant for hours on the subject of reducing the sizes (and quality) of lumber. But why should I raise my blood pressure worrying about it. Just move to metric sizes, it can't be any more complex than what I deal with in reduced planed sizes. When you are building new, it doesn't come up. Only when a cheap old buzzard like me gets involved.
Bill Hudson