Acceptable variance on timber?

stator

What sort of variance would you consider acceptable on timber you order from a timber yard?

I ordered some planed timber 38mm x 38mm x 2.1m and 19mm x 38mm x 2.1m and what they have delivered is 34mm x 34mm and 19mm x 34mm. To me that seems quite a big variance. Unfortunately I didn't spot the discrepency on delivery and so have signed for it, but my order form clearly states 38mm.

I wouldn't consider it an acceptable variance, would anyone else?

Thanks for your input

frank.hopper

The word nominal springs to mind, but that's pushing it too far IMHO.

cutandshut

Unless things have changed timber size is stated in its sawn dimensions. PAR (planed all round) size is always smaller.

stator

cutandshut wrote: »

Unless things have changed timber size is stated in its sawn dimensions. PAR (planed all round) size is always smaller.

I have been considering that, the thing is, the smallest "squareish" sawn timber they have is @ 47mm x 50mm. Their sawn and planed timber is listed seperately and have completely different sizes as you would expect.

So is it industry standard that when buying planed wood they would list the unplanned size? Seems odd

cybergibbons

stator wrote: »

I have been considering that, the thing is, the smallest "squareish" sawn timber they have is @ 47mm x 50mm. Their sawn and planed timber is listed seperately and have completely different sizes as you would expect.

So is it industry standard that when buying planed wood they would list the unplanned size? Seems odd

Yes, PAR is always listed as the size it was (nominally) before planing. It's quite common though to find that sawn and PAR have different sizes even taking that into account, not sure why.

ormus

the trade has always done that. and for most construction work it isnt a big problem.
the building trade isnt known for working to engineering tolerances.
cabinet making is another matter.

stator

Thanks for the information

I guess I will pay their undelivery charge and change it for some larger stuff.

Still seems very odd to me, not sure how they can square that with the trade descriptions act, but nevermind, lesson learned :S