2 X 4 wood

[mr_man]

Is the measurement of a 2 X 4 1 1/2 by 3 1/2? IF so what does that make a 2 X 2 after the factory planning?

[9000rpm]

The factory doesn't plane the wood. The wood is cut to actual 2"x4" dimensions. Then after the wood is set to dry for about 3 to 6 months, it shrinks to its new, smaller dimensions. I'm sure there is a formula to estimate wood shrinkage as a function of time.

ANd the first to joke about "wood shrinkage" wins $1000000000000000000000000000!

[Animal Cracker]

Yep, shrinkage after the wood dries. The older way, was let the wood cure/dry before it entered the saw mill, but since pine is most used wood, and production demands have increased, it is ripped before it is fully cured..thus the shrinkage.