Loren Coe wrote:
In article , ATP wrote:

Loren Coe wrote:

...

i would rather use 3 & 4, rather than 4 & 5 wood members, if
the wider spacing is no problem. this leads to the question:

with support at 32" intervals, how much load can a 2x4
support on its side?

...

The species and grade of lumber has to be specified. There is a wide
variance between spruce and douglas fir, for example.


it's "HEM FIR", Hemlock Fir, about the cheapest "stud" on the market.
these are about "util" grade, there is one about a dime cheaper at HDepot.
if there is a grade stamp, it must be, "STUD-R", manufactured in Cowlitz,
Wa. Thanks! --Loren

Hi Loren

That really only means both Hemlock and Douglas Fir are in the pile .
Pretty common . If you can hand pick , find stuff with as small of
growth rings as possible . You ask how much will it support on its side
? I take it you mean on its edge ? The best way to make sure you get max
support is to have the cross braces supported from underneath rather
then simply screwed to the standing support . Look at real old wooden
ladders . You will see where they add small blocks of wood between the
rungs . I think this will double or triple your max loading . Good Luck

Ken Cutt