When 2x4's were 2x4's...

[turbobike]

Back in the day...When you got what you paid for...a real 2x4...

 

[Saltwater60]

My house is built with them. Super hard and hope you have an impact driver. Use something other than drywall screws too.

 

[Hochulsucks1234]

I should be getting my wood mill in the next couple of months. I plan to mill dimensional lumber. I am told it is a pain now since everything is made around the 1.5x3.5 standard. Guess I will have to figure it out.

 

[Saltwater60]

I should be getting my wood mill in the next couple of months. I plan to mill dimensional lumber. I am told it is a pain now since everything is made around the 1.5x3.5 standard. Guess I will have to figure it out.

Depends I would think. If you’re butting it up to dimensional lumber of the same size milling an actual 2x4 is probably easier.

 

[Depick]

The knee walls on the second floor of my house were framed with real those. I found it strange but didn’t think to much of it. My house is a collection of 70 years worth of terrible DIY projects so the possibilities are endless.

 

[Blimey]

Back in the day...When you got what you paid for...a real 2x4...

It was also made with slower grown wood. As far as I know the pine trees they harvest from now are about a week old

 

[FRB]

Depends I would think. If you’re butting it up to dimensional lumber of the same size milling an actual 2x4 is probably easier.

If you are making it there is no restriction.... make your own extension jams....

 

[SonOfSun]

It was also made with slower grown wood. As far as I know the pine trees they harvest from now are about a week old

I read somewhere they are about 25% weaker due to that (not size related).

 

[C3D]

Menards Class Action Lawsuit Challenges Lumber Dimensions ​

Menards was hit with a class action lawsuit accusing the home hardware store of falsely advertising its dimensional lumber products.


Lead plaintiffs Michael Fuchs and Vladislav Krasilnikov allege in their class action lawsuit that Menards markets its lumber at certain sizes, but the products don’t actually meet those advertised specifications.


In the complaint, Fuchs alleges that while completing a home improvement project, he picked up supplies from a local Menards store in Gurnee, Ill., including what he thought were several 1″ x 6″ – 6′ cedar planks and a 4″ x 4″ – 10′ piece of Douglas Fir.


However, Fuchs says he discovered that the lumber was smaller than the dimensions listed on the labels of the products. Krasilnikov alleged a similar experience with a white wood plank purchased at Menards.



Menards “operates a large number of home improvement stores throughout the Midwest region, including throughout Illinois,” say the plaintiffs.


According to the complaint “dimensional lumber products” are used in construction and home improvement projects which are commonly sold by reference to three dimensions; length, width, and height, and are some of the most popular products at Menards. A common example is the “two-by-four.”


According to the class action complaint, Menards “regularly advertised for sale dimensional lumber products through in-store shelf tags and signage, labels, and flyers, which contained inaccurate and false product dimensions that did not correspond to the actual dimensions of the products being advertised.”


As a result, the plaintiffs say they “purchased dimensional lumber products from [Menards] that were not of the same size and quantity as represented.”


The class action alleges that Menards’ “dimensional lumber products all have materially smaller dimensions than those represented in its advertisements and product labeling. For example, pieces of ‘Douglas Fir’ wood that are labeled as having the dimensions ‘4 x 4 – 10′ ‘, actually measure 3.5″ x 3.5″ – 10′, approximately 23% smaller than advertised. Further, the most commonly used 2″ x 4″ – 8′ framing lumber actually measures 1.5″ x 3.5″ – 8′.”



The plaintiffs also contend that Menards does not include any disclaimer or informs consumers that their lumber products don’t meet the specifications included on the advertising.


According to the Menards class action the lawsuit, the plaintiffs would not have purchased lumber from Menards had they known it was smaller than the dimensions listed in the advertising. The plaintiffs seek to represent a nationwide Class of consumers who purchased dimensional lumber at Menards, along with a subclass of Illinois residents who purchased lumber within the past three years.


The plaintiffs allege that they “and the other members of the Class have been damaged by their purchases of Defendant’s dimensional lumber products and have been deceived into purchasing a product that they believed had the same dimensions as represented by Defendant, when in fact it was significantly smaller. Defendant has received significant profits from its false marketing and sale of its dimensional lumber products.”


Menards violates state consumer protection laws, say the plaintiffs, as well as express and implied warranties. The plaintiffs are seeking damages and for Menards to disgorge all funds obtained through the alleged false marketing, along with an injunction and attorneys’ fees and costs.


The plaintiffs are represented by Myles McGuire, Evan M. Meyers, and Eugene Y. Turin of McGuire Law PC.



The Menards Lumber Class Action Lawsuit is Michael Fuchs, et. al. v. Menard Inc., Case No. 1:17-cv-01752, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division.

Menards Class Action Lawsuit Challenges Lumber Dimensions

Menards was hit with a class action lawsuit accusing the home hardware store of falsely advertising its dimensional lumber products.

topclassactions.com

 

[libertysnake]

It was also made with slower grown wood. As far as I know the pine trees they harvest from now are about a week old

HGH and Test will do that to trees.

 

[CaseHardened]

Traditionally a 2X4 was cut 2X4, but shrunk as it dried.

 

[spat]

Traditionally a 2X4 was cut 2X4, but shrunk as it dried.

They also lost some more size if they were planed or sanded smooth.

Like buying an 16oz steak. It was 16oz before they cooked it. What size it is when it hits your plate depends on whether you like it rare or well done.

 

[pshift]

1+5/8 x 3+5/8

 

[Cavalry]

Plenty of sawmills around here still selling actual 2x4's. I'll pass I like minimal slivers and kiln dried wood, there is just something nice about not getting spit in the eye by sap when you nail.

 

[Jmac00]

build out of cement, no ambiguity there

 

[WillyK]

My house is built with them. Super hard and hope you have an impact driver. Use something other than drywall screws too.

My 90 year old house was framed with rough cut oak. Probably cut locally.
Nails even bend sometimes on my retro work.

 

[alistair]

My first house was built in 1879, with real 2×4s and the roof joists were held together with wooden pegs.

 

[oc shooter]

don't know what the fuss is lumber has been what it is for years don't know of any house's falling down because 2X4 's aren't 2X4's code calls for 2X6's anyway so what's the beef

 

[Far king]

That’s correct for outside wall framing and certain load bearing interior walls.The demension for today’s 2x6 is 1 1/2 x 5 1/4 in . Even if you were to use full dimension 2x6 ( which would be at least 25 percent stronger) they would fail inspection because they lack the stamp put on the boards by an approved manufacturer.

 

[oc shooter]

stronger why the lumber in an outside wall or a bearing interior wall is in compression not tension so once again what's the beef?

 

[Far king]

stronger why the lumber in an outside wall or a bearing interior wall is in compression not tension so once again what's the beef?

 

[Far king]

I’ve been a carpenter for 38 years and counting and in this time I have seen a steady decline in the quality of the dimensional lumber that has been offered and are required to use to comply with building codes. I own property loaded with mature hemlock pines perfect for milling into lumber and have a superior product at less cost which I could pass on to the customer but building codes will not allow it so i guess that’s my beef .

 

[livingston]

I believe my house was built before 1860 . I have logs with bark on then for some of the floor joists Have 10X10 (perhaps ) posts in the corner braced both ways

 

[1075tech]

My house in Newburgh was built in 1930. Neighbor said they used green hemlock back in the day. Putting a screw in was like drilling into steel.

The garage was framed with full dimensional 2x5s. It was reclaimed lumber as well

 

[oc shooter]

I’ve been a carpenter for 38 years and counting and in this time I have seen a steady decline in the quality of the dimensional lumber that has been offered and are required to use to comply with building codes. I own property loaded with mature hemlock pines perfect for milling into lumber and have a superior product at less cost which I could pass on to the customer but building codes will not allow it so i guess that’s my beef .

can't argue with the quality but the actual strength for building hasn't been compromised back in the 70's when the ny building code went from 2x4 to 2x6 framing it wasn't for strength it was to get more insulation in the exterior walls just after the the second world war they bbuilt a whole lot of housing using 2x3's to make them more affordable for vets guess what they are still standing and being lived in

 

[Far king]

can't argue with the quality but the actual strength for building hasn't been compromised back in the 70's when the ny building code went from 2x4 to 2x6 framing it wasn't for strength it was to get more insulation in the exterior walls just after the the second world war they bbuilt a whole lot of housing using 2x3's to make them more affordable for vets guess what they are still standing and being lived in

You just won’t give up will you ! I never said dimensional lumber for the purpose of wall framing is not strong enough and l know that the purpose of 2x6 outside walls is for insulation purposes ( in this state) in California where l was framing in 80’s , earth quake codes call for 2x6 exterior walls. Now tell me that full dimension lumber for floor joists and rafters aren’t as strong and deflect just as much as dimensioned lumber of the same span.

 

[fresch]

Balloon construction.

 

[oc shooter]

You just won’t give up will you ! I never said dimensional lumber for the purpose of wall framing is not strong enough and l know that the purpose of 2x6 outside walls is for insulation purposes ( in this state) in California where l was framing in 80’s , earth quake codes call for 2x6 exterior walls. Now tell me that full dimension lumber for floor joists and rafters aren’t as strong and deflect just as much as dimensioned lumber of the same span.

i think you and i agree more than we disagree i don't understand the beef it is what it is we all lament the beautiful bluing on older rifles and pistols but the new finishes are so much more durable and rust proof i come from a long line of carpenters and builders as a matter of fact some are now fourth generation I remember my uncles hating plywood in the late fifties then my cousins hating osb but life goes on houses today are so much more efficeint than in other times are they as beutifull absoluty not the trim work truly terrable but they are easier to heat and cool it's called progress sometimes it's good sometimes not

 

[Far king]

i think you and i agree more than we disagree i don't understand the beef it is what it is we all lament the beautiful bluing on older rifles and pistols but the new finishes are so much more durable and rust proof i come from a long line of carpenters and builders as a matter of fact some are now fourth generation I remember my uncles hating plywood in the late fifties then my cousins hating osb but life goes on houses today are so much more efficeint than in other times are they as beutifull absoluty not the trim work truly terrable but they are easier to heat and cool it's called progress sometimes it's good sometimes not

Thanks for your response OC you’re right we do agree more than disagree and I certainly love blued steel and walnut over stainless steel and plastic .
Good to know there are 4 generations of carpenters in your family and would like to sit down with you sometime over a cup of coffee or a glass of beer and talk guns and wood work . Sorry for snapping back at you before . Keep yer powder dry my friend!

 

[oc shooter]

Thanks for your response OC you’re right we do agree more than disagree and I certainly love blued steel and walnut over stainless steel and plastic .
Good to know there are 4 generations of carpenters in your family and would like to sit down with you sometime over a cup of coffee or a glass of beer and talk guns and wood work . Sorry for snapping back at you before . Keep yer powder dry my friend!

Far King are you originally from Oneida county? I went to high school in Utica the old UFA my uncle who I lived with at the time was a carpenter at the air base in Rome