Not quite what I paid for

[mythicagothiga]

Why is it that when Bunnings advertises a piece of timber at 29cm, it can't be 29cm?

I don't think it matters that the timber is structural or is presumably 'lesser' quality.

As we know, woodworkers are used to accuracy and not being ripped of nearly 2mm! :tdown:

[Wongo]

Oh c'mon!!

BTW woodworkers don't buy timber from Bunnings. Soak it in water if you want to get more out of it.

[Sir Stinkalot]

So to avoid mixing measurements you wanted 290mm and you ended up with 288mm??
Given where it was purchased from is there 2mm worth of cupping occurring? :B

[_fly_]

They mean 290 diagonally across the end-grain.

[Master Splinter]

I think the magic weasel words are something like 'dressed to' or 'finished to' - so if it doesn't say that, then it could be stating sawn size.

[Wongo]

Even well seasoned timber has movement. I don't think <1% shrinkage is that bad.

[Chesand]

290mm is the nominal size quoted. Pretty much all timber is sold by the nominal size and in reality is often less than that.

[The Bleeder]

DAR......that's why

get rough sawn otherwise

[Simo79]

I had the same problem when i bought a piece of plywood for a back piece for a stand for my table saw. I needed a sheet 900mm x 600mm, so off to bunnings and i found a sheet that was labeled the size i needed. When i got back home to fit it, I was horrified to discover that the sheet was in fact 900mm x 597mm:gaah:. I could understand if it was a one off but they had a whole pile of the same sheets waiting for the next unsuspecting victim.

Simo

[Chief Tiff]

I'm still trying to figure out why they price it all in meters, but sell it in feet and yards....

[Handyjack]

When entering store have tape measure in back pocket.
Do not believe labels - measure for yourself.

Recently I bought a roll of non slip tape. Packaged as 4.5m but in use found to be 4.4m. Sent email to company.

[SawDustSniffer]

saw mills have been ripping of customers for years
a 45x90mm will not be that size , but the thickness of the saw blade less
since its sold by its volume , you pay for the saw dust

[Wongo]

Well some of you are so hard to please.

[bsrlee]

Actually the metric timber sizes for DAR timber are supposed to be the actual finished sizes not the rough sawn sizes - a 2x4 - metrically 51x102 is cut and dressed down by 1/4 inch (6mm) all round. At 45 x 90 we are getting ripped off for another 1/4"(6mm) on the long dimension. In the US it is even worse than here, what they are being offered as 2x4 is now under 1.5"x3.5" in most places, which is why those who have the space & inclination are buying their timber rough from the mill then surfacing it themselves, getting 13/16" thick boards from nominal 1" stock.

I have trouble finding 2x4's that are not rougher headed, sprayed with colured dyes that can't be removed or have 6mm radii on all the corners - often all 3.

And back a bit more on line with the original complaint, I too have been finding 'DAR' timber with big waney edges (with the bark on in a few cases), up to 12mm under sized in width on a 90mm wide board or rough from the saw mill on one edge - usually one piece in a dozen or so boards if I order timber delivered. Poor quality control or a sign of things to come?

[Mooncabbage]

I'm new at this, but presumably, if it's crap, don't buy it. I personally check every piece of everything I buy, except my garden bed sleepers because frankly who cares. And even then, I'll check them for straightness. You'd be amazed the sort of bowing and twisting you can get in even a short length of 200x50mm treated pine sleeper.

That might just be lessons learnt from life on a budget though.

[mythicagothiga]

Thought this issue may have created a bit of discussion!

On principle, I can manage with a few mm loss here and there. What annoys me is that it wasn't just one plank, but several and it wasn't a consistent loss the full length of the board. I also think if the manufacturer is claiming 29 cm it has to be a bit closer than what I got.

The guy I was served buy measured my last purchase as I explained the last two were slightly short so someone who works there is aware of the issue for the future. I will, however, be taking a tape measure with me in future. . .

When it comes to buying crap, unfortunately, when you need timber quickly and cheaply, Bunnings is a suitable place of purchase. Haven't tried Masters yet but might see if they have more accurate sized pine or if they purchase from a different supplier. I certainly wasn't going to spend a lot of funds finding accurately sized timber for a Dog High Jump for our local agricultural show . . .

Thanks for all the responses, though. Thought for a while there it was just an imaginary removal of millimetres. . . .

[SAISAY]

Oh c'mon!!

BTW woodworkers don't buy timber from Bunnings. Soak it in water if you want to get more out of it.

We don't all live in the big smoke, some of us have no other choice that Bunnies, Masters and Mitre10