On 03/13/08 12:13 am Husky wrote:

Nice stories. Thanks for sharing. What have they got to do with
companies trying to hide price increases by making the package
smaller? My God...they haven't shortened the 8 foot 2 x 4, have they?

Actually, funny you should mention it, they have. Many lumber mills and
home centers are selling 8 foot 2x4's that are only 93" long, so that
you won't have to cut them for your 8 foot wall. And although we call
them 2x4's, they haven't been 2x4 for about 65 years. Now the ones in my
house are 2" x 4", and it is a pain in the a** to do any remodeling. You
either replace the whole wall, or you cut down 2x6's to match.


I've certainly seen the 92 5/8" (I don't think they're even a full 93")
studs, but I've never seen them labeled as 8' -- simply the length they
are. The 96" ones are available too, but I don't see the store confusing
them.

As for "2x4"s not being 2" x 4" ... AIUI, finished lumber was described
by the pre-finished size, and everybody knew that -- and not just in
USA. I don't see the justification for mislabeling unfinished lumber. I
don't know what they do in other countries now.

Perce