Why is 4"x2" 3 7/8"x 1 7/8"

[Safety First]

Hi all,
I know it started as 4x2 and then they planed it down, but what good is that when I have to work with my old floor joists which are 4"x2" and the new treated stuff, 1/4 inch smaller both sides?

Can I get real 4" x 2" treated timber?

It makes it even more difficult than it already is!

 

[noseall]

Keep the tops level.

 

[John D v2.0]

I just pack them underneath to get the right height. One trick I used was folding wedges, although other times I used plastic window packers as a cheat.
You can get unplanned wood rough sawn

 

[cjard]

Your floor joists are 4x2? Holy crap, every room must be like a trampoline.. mine are 10x4!

I concur with the others in the recommendation to pack the smaller joists up so the tops are level. if this causes you a nuisance with the ceiling below them, tack strips of mdf/hardboard/stripwood to extend them to the same size. Don't put the strips on the top, as it increases the risk that walking on the floor may eventually make a creaking noise

If you really need them 4x2, ask a local joinery shop to get you some 5x2 in and run it through their saw/thicknesser to make it true 4x(not quite 2.. but it's the height you're complaining about)

 

[John D v2.0]

Your floor joists are 4x2?

Presumably ground floor!! Mine are the same.

 

[^woody^]

I had the same problem with obtaining a brass coal scuttle rivet for my traction engine. Why oh why don't they make them any more?

 

[Ian H]

I got some wood strips to go on top of mine, at the merchants they called it 'infill' but I'm not sure what it's designed to infill. It was perfect to make my new 8x2 the same height as the original 8x2.

 

[big-all]

4x2" is 101.6mm planed is around 94/96mm ish
6mm ply is around 5.5mm so99.5-101.5 ish ??

 

[geraldthehamster]

Yes, you can still get 4x2 rough sawn timber, that is actually 4x2. Treated or untreated. Not all merchants stock it.

 

[big-all]

just be aware 4x2" rough sawn is not graded so may or may not be up to the job[dead knots' bows 'strength wise]may also be stored wet/damp so shrink as it dries

 

[EddieM]

I had the same problem with obtaining a brass coal scuttle rivet for my traction engine. Why oh why don't they make them any more?

Even amazon have a selection. You are clearly not looking hard enough

Oops. Didn't see the rivet bit