LumberJocks Woodworking Forum banner
2K views 7 replies 6 participants last post by  Dave10 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I have a question about wood dimension in metric countries (countries in which the metric system is the standard).

Am I correct that lumber is sold in even number centimeters, I.E. 2cm, 4,cm, 6,cm?

What are the typical lengths of boards, 2 meters? 3 meters? (I realize that (apparently) real lumber yards will sell lumber by the cubic meter, right?

On woodworking drawings, are the dimensions typically expressed in millimeters or centimeters. (My research so far suggests that on architectural drawings they are expressed only in millimeters.)

Are the boards you buy actually the dimensions that they are labeled, or are they smaller because they are planed, like in the U.S.?

Thank for useful replies.

I used to have a link to a chart of standard lumber sizes from a German lumber company, but it was on a computer that has since died.

Dave RUTAN
 
See less See more
#2 ·
I'm bumping this, as it is deep into the second page and in jeopardy of falling off the radar with no answers. I'm curious to see answers!
 
#4 · (Edited by Moderator)
In Australia cabinetmakers work in millimetres and metres. Centimetres aren't used at all.

When buying rough timber by the m3, you pay for nominal dimensions ex: 38mm (1 1/2 in) expect around 32mm dressed. 50mm (2 in) expect 45mm dressed. Sold in bound packs, depending on your order.

Two prices, broken pack, you select, more expensive. Or buy an unbroken pack. Unbroken packs can be 1m3 but usually 2 to 3 cubes.

Cabinet timber from the big box stores is sold dressed and by the lineal metre. The dressed dimensions are close to the advertised dimensions.
ex: 18mm x 180mm x 2.1m is 18mm x 180mm x 2.1m. or very close.

Lengths graduate by 100mm ex: 1m, 1.1m, 1.2m etc.
 
#5 ·
In Canada a 2×4 is still a 1 1/2" x 3 1/2" (on a good day) and plywood is still 4'x8' but sometimes it is sold a 18mm or 12mm instead of 3/4" or 1/2". The thickness hasn't changed, just the numbers. I think it is because of the massive amount of cross border trade. The American market is much bigger so it dictates the standards.
 
#7 ·
Texcaster wrote

"When buying rough timber by the m3, you pay for nominal dimensions ex: 38mm (1 1/2 in) expect around 32mm dressed. 50mm (2 in) expect 45mm dressed. Sold in bound packs, depending on your order."

Correction

"When buying rough timber by the m3, you pay for the ROUGH dimensions ex: 38mm (1 1/2 in) expect around 32mm dressed. 50mm (2 in) expect 45mm dressed. Sold in bound packs, depending on your order.
 
#8 ·
Thanks for the replies thus far!

It's interesting that so far the 'metrification' of lumber dimensions is simply a new measurement of the imperial standard. I wish I could find that chart I saw from the lumber company in Germany where the 'standard' sizes were in even centimeters.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top