Standard lumber sizes. Treasure hunt.

Have students find the following sizes of lumber. They will find short pieces in the scrap bins.

1x3, 1x4, 1x6, 1x8, 2x3, 2x4, 2x6, 2x8, 2x10, 2x12.

Also find 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 plywood.
1/2, 3/4 MDF
3/4 OSB.

Students will find several pieces of lumber matching the list. They won't find some. After they have found the board lumber, do a lesson about the real size of each size. Tell them to measure each piece to get the real size. 2x4=1 1/2 x 3 1/2. Do this for all sizes. Why are they called 2x4, if the wood is smaller? Now cover the wood plane. Explain the lumber mill doing a rough cut with big saws. Then they run the wood through a large plane to give all four sides a smooth surface. This removes material and that is why the lumber we get from the local lumber yard is the size it is.

The next lesson will be creating a cut list for flats.