On 2/8/2015 8:05 AM, dadiOH wrote:
Maybe 2x4s were once actually 2" x 4", don't know, best I remember is 1
5/8" x 3 5/8". They were that way for many years, then went down to 1
1/2" x 3 1/2". That's OK, no problem but - apparently - pressure
treated 2x4s are still 1 5/8" x 3 5/8". At least the ones I just bought
and chopped down to size yesterday are (I'm making some cabinet plinths).

Now, 1/8" isn't all that much but it's enough to screw up my plans for
the rest of the cabinets which means I either have to revise the plans
or skinny down the PT. I'll do the latter but I sure wish they would
decide what size 2x4s should be, PT or not.

I guess I should ask a question, not just rant, so I will: Is there
some reason PT 2x4s are bigger?


They are full of water. They will likely be 1.5 x 3.5 after they dry
out, they will be a lot lighter weight too.

This is one of the reasons that I try to buy lumber that is kiln dried
after being PT when stability in desirable and that is typically more
expensive.