measurement of a piece of lumber. Therefore, if
A board less than 1 inch thick is figured as 1
you had a 2 by 4 by 6, its linear measurement would
inch when you are calculating bd ft. A board more
be 6 feet. This method is often used when buying
than 1 inch thick is figured to the next larger
dimensioned lumber for construction purposes.
1/4-inch increment. Thus, a board having a
thickness of 1 1/8 inches calculates as 1 1/4 inches.
COMMON TYPES OF WOODS
Board measure calculates on the basis of the
nominal not the dressed dimension of the lumber.
Before proceeding with this chapter, review the
sources, uses, and characteristics of the various types
Another common way of measuring lumber is by
of common woods provided in table 3-2.
linear measure. Linear measure is simply the length
Table 3-2.--Common Woods
TYPE
SOURCES
USES
CHARACTERISTICS
Ash
East of Rockies.
Oars, boat thwarts,
Strong, heavy, hard, tough,
benches, gratings,
elastic, close straight grain,
hammer handles,
shrinks very little, takes excellent
cabinets, ball bats, wagon
finish, lasts well.
construction, farm
implements.
Balsa
Ecuador.
Rafts, food boxes, linings
Lightest of all woods. Very soft,
strong for its weight, good heat
reserves, loud speakers,
insulating qualities, odorless.
sound-proofing, air-con-
ditioning devices, model
airplane construction.
Basswood
Eastern half of U.S.
Low-grade furniture,
Soft, very light, weak, brittle, not
with exception of
cheaply constructed
durable, shrinks considerably.
coastal regions.
buildings, interior finish,
Interior to poplar, but very
shelving, drawers, boxes,
uniform, works easily. Takes
screws and nails well and does
ware, novelties, excelsior,
not twist or warp.
general millwork.
Beech
East of Mississippi
Similar to birch but not so
River, Southeastern
mahogany furniture,
durable when exposed to
Canada.
wood dowels, capping,
weather. Shrinks and checks
boat trim, interior finish,
considerably. Close-grained,
tool handles, turnery,
light or dark red color.
shoe lasts, carving,
flooring.
East of Mississippi
Birch
Hard, durable, fine grain, even
River and north of Gulf
mahogany furniture,
texture, heavy, stiff, strong,
wood dowels, capping,
Coast States, Southeast
tough. Takes high polish, works
Canada, Newfoundland.
boat trim, interior finish,
easily. Forms excellent base for
tool handles, turnery,
white enamel finish, but not
carving.
durable when exposed.
Heartwood is light to dark
reddish brown in color.
3-7