Replies

1. 
   ASK | Jan 19, 2007 07:26pm | #1

   4/4 is 1" thick, 5/4 is 1.25" thick, 12/4 is 3" thick

   ASK

2. 
   SLOSapo | Jan 19, 2007 07:28pm | #2

   4/4 = 1 inch thick
   5/4 = 1-1/4 inch thick
   12/4 = 3 inches thick

   These numbers usually refer to roughsawn dimensions. 4/4 stock may start out at 1 inch thick and then end up 13/16 inch thick after milling.

   
   

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   Edited 1/19/2007 11:36 am ET by SLOSapo

1. 
   dougmeyer | Jan 19, 2007 07:34pm | #3

   These are used to make the differnance between 4/4 and 1X 4/4 is normally 1" thick and left that way. 1X may (or may not) have started out 1" thick but it is now worked down to 3/4"  This is why the 4/4 or 12/4 or what ever is used. It means stock that is that fraction. so 4/4 would be an inch and 12/4 would be 3" (do we all remember the math classes on strange fractions we had to do as kids? :) )  Not that anyone ever uses it but 8/8 would also be an inch thick.

   Doug Meyer

1. 
   ptu | Jan 19, 2007 07:37pm | #4

   Thanks everyone, so why is it whatever/4 ?
   Pedro

1. 
   dougmeyer | Jan 19, 2007 07:48pm | #5

   Just because we tend in the wood and building indursty to us 1/4" that is what the 4 stands for. Remember in building most things are only measuerd to the closes 1/4" in the field. So over the year 1/4" became a kind of standard.

   No good reason as far as I know it just "is".

   Doug Meyer

   A guy is looking of a carpenter so he asks the young carpenter what a 1/4" is, the young carpenter says it is one fourth of an inch or .25 of and inch.

   The Guy asks another carpenter what a 1/4" is and the 2nd carpenter pull out his tape measure and shows him a 1/4".

   The guy then asks this OLD grizzly carpenter that has been around the industry for decades. The old carpenters say " A 1/4"? Close enough, nail it!"

1. 
   ptu | Jan 19, 2007 08:15pm | #6

   Right on, Doug, Thanks. That explains it all!!!
   Pedro

2. 
   HowardAcheson | Jan 19, 2007 10:05pm | #8

   >> No good reason as far as I know it just "is".I was told by an old time sawyer that the old time sawmill saws could be indexed to cut the thickness in 1/4" increments and the slots for the adjuster were numbered from 1 to 16. Ergo slot #12 equated to twelve fourths or 12/4".Makes sense to me but I don't vouch for it's accuracy.Howie.........

2. 
   trialnut | Jan 19, 2007 09:44pm | #7

   IIRC on a sawmill each notch on the ratcheting mecanisim that advances the log for thickness of cut is 1/4. Some of them only had the scale marked this way, just numbered 1-n.

   The Professional Termite

   Edited 1/19/2007 1:45 pm ET by trialnut

1. 
   ptu | Jan 20, 2007 05:47pm | #11

   Now that you mention that, it brings back memories of when I was a canter in a small saw mill. Those are the moves the sawyer used to mill lumber. Thanks for the info.
   Pedro

3. 
   brad805 | Jan 19, 2007 11:24pm | #9

   one other thing.  It is pronounced as x quarter (as I understand).  I said forths to a wholesaler where I was buying rough stock and he was puzzled.

1. 
   dougmeyer | Jan 20, 2007 12:00am | #10

   Good point that last one.

   it really is 4 quarter stock.

   Doug Meyer