Please Help A Dummy

[Bruce Cohen]

Hey Mark,

Did you really mean 9" or 9'. What i need are 8 footers.

BTW, Where can I get something like that, don't remember ever seeing something like ar the BORG.

Thanks,

Bruce

P.S. Remind me never to PO you wife, sounds like a deadly lady.

[hermit]

In my case I should have noted that this was a tip I picked up from one of the woodworking mags maybe three years back. (Although I will further confess that it was a real forehead-slapper, because as much framing as I've done in my life, I should have realized this without being told. As soon as I read the suggestion, I asked myself, "WHY have I not thought of this before?!?")

It really is amazing how much nicer a "homemade" 2x4 is than the store-bought kind. At least around here, however, there is a price penalty of about $2 -- except not really, because the 2x4s are crap-quality spruce/pine/fir whereas the 2x12s are SYP. The storebought 2x4s are all over the place and full of knots, the ripped 2x4s are nice and straight, with fewer knots and better grain. All things considered, that extra couple of bucks is a bargain.

yep, this does work. I built my workbench base by doing this, then Laminating the 2x stock to make nice thick legs. Everything is nice and straight.

Todd

[Black wallnut]

Hey Mark,

Did you really mean 9" or 9'. What i need are 8 footers.

BTW, Where can I get something like that, don't remember ever seeing something like ar the BORG.

Thanks,

Bruce

P.S. Remind me never to PO you wife, sounds like a deadly lady.

Yup I did mean 9" According to my receipt they are called finger-jointed studs. They are made from short sections of 2"x4" finger jointed together into one stud length board. Just like paint grade trim that is finger-jointed. I would not be surprised if the Borg does not carry them. A real lumber/ building center might, but then again if they do not meet code in your area that would also make them scarce.

[rjwaldren]

Check at a full service yard. I just went through the process of straightening and avoiding knot in some construction grade. Then I was at a local yard and found 8' dry doug fir 2x4's surfaced, straight and no knots. I should always look at White Pine Lumber first.

[gerti]

Occasionally one sees engineered dimensional lumber on those home remodeling shows. Should fit the bill, but I guess is hard to find.

[Scottw]

One thing to keep in mind when you look at framing lumber for use "indoors", is how close the growth rings are in the board. "Dense" Southern yellow pine framing lumber is specified to have 6 rings per inch on the end of the board. And 1/3 of that inch must be "summerwood", the dark part of the ring. Because of the makeup of the cell structure in the summerwood part of the ring, the more there is, the more stable, after drying, the board will be. If the board is straight in the store and it is DRY and the rings are tight, it SHOULD not move. All #2 and higher grade stamped SYP dimension lumber, that has the KD19 indicator, is dried to 19% or less which is fine for use in your walls but in the shop you need to be sure it is a little drier or nice and "dense".

[footprintsinconc]

bruce, are following some plans for the panel saw?

I have been thinking for making a lumber rack that was on wheels (similar to the ones in a couple of thread like loring's and others) but with a panel saw/stand of sort (i saw real simple design in fww magazine) on one side. i will try to find the fww and post the issue # and page.

well, just an idea.

[Russianwolf]

I'll add a vote for cutting the 2x4's out of a larger Kiln Dried Construstion lumber. We all did this for our 2x6 projects and the results were great. I don't know about the others but the Pool Cue Rack I made from mine is still looking great hanging on the wall.

[RAFlorida]

For the money, your best bet is plywood cut and glued as Cabinetman suggest. The strength is stronger and works well for your plan.
One other thing, this site is THE best forum I've ever come across. I started using landline connections for computers way back in 1986, and never have I came across a site so helpful to the woodworker as this one. Thanks to one and all who made/make this THE best forum, bar none....

[ironhat]

Hey larry aand Rags,

Told you guys I'm stupid, never thought of that, at least with construction stock in mind. Thanks.

Now I have to figure out how to get it home in my Accord Coupe.

Bruce

Boy, are you gonna feel stupid when I tell you how to transport that lumber! Have a buddy follow you to the yard. You get in the coupe and have him make long slip knots after looping the rope around the roof and through the doors. He cynches them up and you drive home. He follows and unties the knots. There! Now isn't that simple!!