Hey everyone! I've been diving into some woodworking plans I found online, but I've noticed that a lot of them use American lumber dimensions, which is kinda throwing me off. I'm particularly confused about how to identify cuts properly here in the UK where lumber is often listed in metric sizes. For instance, when I see a listing for a 2x4, I know that it might not be what I'm expecting. Are there any cheat sheets or tips you could share to help me wrap my head around these conversions? Or is it just a matter of getting used to it over time?
2 Answers
So, UK lumber is often metric, and there are a few things to keep in mind. Like, a nominal 2x4 is actually around 45mm x 95mm when finished. And if you're after rough wood, it’s often more about volume than just size, which can be tricky. If you’re working from metric plans, stick to those and convert everything accordingly. Google has some great conversion tools that can help with board feet too. Just keep track of the dimensions carefully!
When dealing with UK timber, just remember to look for the 4x2 instead of the 2x4! ? A quick tip is to measure twice and cut once—always good advice. The sizes you see listed are typically rough sawn measurements, which can shrink a bit after being planed down, usually about 5-6mm smaller on both sides. One practical approach is to sketch it out based on actual measurements to avoid any confusion!
You really broke it down well; I appreciate that! I’ll have to check out those conversion tools. Thanks!