# Is it hard/ridiculously expensive to find 4x4 lumber that's 4x4? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 11, 2007, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-hard-ridiculously-expensive-to-find-4x4-lumber-thats-4x4/429583 "2007-12-11T03:49:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2007, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-hard-ridiculously-expensive-to-find-4x4-lumber-thats-4x4/429583/21 "2007-12-11T15:07:04Z")
Assuming that the hammock stand kit she’s talking about is similar to [this](http://www.hammocks.com/hammock-stands/wood-stands/diyhammockstandkit.cfm), I don’t think that creating a tenon on a 6 x 6 is such a good idea, because that’s going to give you a massive stand, fit for King Kong. And it’ll be really heavy, so when the kids manage to tip it over, when it falls on them, it could do some real damage. Does it have to be one of those DIY hammock stands? There are a number of [steel hammock stands](http://www.amazon.com/Pawleys-Island-Bronze-Textured-Hammock/dp/B000657KDY) out there for about the same price you’d pay after you got done traipsing around Ohio looking for custom lumber. [Sam’s Club has this one](http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?dest=5&item=333810) (online only). ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2007, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-hard-ridiculously-expensive-to-find-4x4-lumber-thats-4x4/429583/22 "2007-12-11T15:12:08Z")
[QUOTE=jsgoddess] I’m looking at hammocks online to buy one for my husband, and there are kits for sale to make a hammock stand. [/QUOTE] Can you link to some of the kits? ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2007, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-hard-ridiculously-expensive-to-find-4x4-lumber-thats-4x4/429583/23 "2007-12-11T15:24:58Z")
Custom cut lumber or 6x6s tend to be very expensive. If you only need the true 4x4 to fit in a socket, or hold a collar securly then might be a waste of money. You might consider buying standard 4X4 for the structure, then cutting donut collars for only the joining areas needed from larger lumber, then securing them in place well. ---
**Author:** ![Rocketeer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocketeer/32/4437_2.png) [@Rocketeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rocketeer)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2007, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-hard-ridiculously-expensive-to-find-4x4-lumber-thats-4x4/429583/24 "2007-12-11T15:46:11Z")
[QUOTE=wolfman] Custom cut lumber or 6x6s tend to be very expensive. If you only need the true 4x4 to fit in a socket, or hold a collar securly then might be a waste of money. You might consider buying standard 4X4 for the structure, then cutting donut collars for only the joining areas needed from larger lumber, then securing them in place well. [/QUOTE] Or use wedges. Which is what I’d do. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2007, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-hard-ridiculously-expensive-to-find-4x4-lumber-thats-4x4/429583/25 "2007-12-11T15:58:38Z")
[QUOTE=Contrapuntal] Can you link to some of the kits? [/QUOTE] The one Duck Duck Goose linked to was one of the ones I was looking at. I guess I’ve decided to go with a metal stand instead of a wooden kit, so the thread is more of an academic exercise now, but I appreciate everyone’s input. ---
**Author:** ![UncleRojelio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unclerojelio/32/3160_2.png) [@UncleRojelio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleRojelio)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2007, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-hard-ridiculously-expensive-to-find-4x4-lumber-thats-4x4/429583/26 "2007-12-11T16:16:59Z")
Now that this is an academic exercise, I’ll tell you what I would have done with the bracket kit. I would have used the dimensional lumber and drilled holes for 3/8 bolts thru and thru both axis. That would have fixed it’s little red wagon. ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2007, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-hard-ridiculously-expensive-to-find-4x4-lumber-thats-4x4/429583/27 "2007-12-11T16:37:18Z")
When I’ve needed oddball lumber, the Amish have always been helpful. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2007, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-hard-ridiculously-expensive-to-find-4x4-lumber-thats-4x4/429583/28 "2007-12-11T16:41:04Z")
Dang. I didn’t think of the Amish, even though there are tons of Amish here. Oh well, maybe my next hammock stand! ---
**Author:** ![Fir\_na\_tine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Fir\_na\_tine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fir_na_tine)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2007, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-hard-ridiculously-expensive-to-find-4x4-lumber-thats-4x4/429583/29 "2007-12-11T17:50:02Z")
[QUOTE=vetbridge] When I’ve needed oddball lumber, the Amish have always been helpful. [/QUOTE] Do you plane them down to 4 x 4 or do you need to insert shims? ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2007, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-hard-ridiculously-expensive-to-find-4x4-lumber-thats-4x4/429583/30 "2007-12-11T17:50:29Z")
If you took a 6X6 to the bottom of the Marianas Trench, the extreme water pressure would compress it down into a true 4X4? ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2007, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-hard-ridiculously-expensive-to-find-4x4-lumber-thats-4x4/429583/31 "2007-12-11T18:07:50Z")
[QUOTE=Fir na tine] Do you plane them down to 4 x 4 or do you need to insert shims? [/QUOTE] 😃 Truly inspired! Put the whole damn thing on a conveyor belt, while you are at it. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2007, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-hard-ridiculously-expensive-to-find-4x4-lumber-thats-4x4/429583/32 "2007-12-11T22:04:27Z")
I think we may be over engineering this just a bit. I built some steps in my backyard a while back and when I went to buy lumber I noticed they had 2 different sizes of wood marked 4X4. The standard 3-5/8 X3-5/8 and a smaller 3-1/4 X 3-1/4. Pressure treated lumber was one of the two sizes and non pressure treated was the other. I don’t recall which was which at this point. I recall noticing the difference in sizes and going :dubious: at the time. It is quite possible that the brackets are for the (up until now anyway) “standard” 4 X 4 which measures 3-5/8 on a side, not the “new improved” version which is 3-1/4 on a side. If I were the OP, I would either call the company and ask what the inside dimension of the brackets is exactly, or order the kit, and measure it for yourself. My SWAG is that the inside of the bracket is set up for wood that is 3-5/8 on a side. ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2007, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-hard-ridiculously-expensive-to-find-4x4-lumber-thats-4x4/429583/33 "2007-12-11T22:28:49Z")
The kit that DuckDuckGoose linked to is sold in lots of places. None that I checked specified the exact dimension of the required 4x4s, but all seem to say that you simply go down to your local lumber store and buy them, indicating that a standard size (as described by Rick) is used. Given that custom-made timber is extremely impractical for most consumers to obtain and that standard 4x4 lumber would be plenty strong enough, I think this must be what’s called for here. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2007, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-hard-ridiculously-expensive-to-find-4x4-lumber-thats-4x4/429583/34 "2007-12-11T22:45:40Z")
[QUOTE=Xema] The kit that DuckDuckGoose linked to is sold in lots of places. None that I checked specified the exact dimension of the required 4x4s, but all seem to say that you simply go down to your local lumber store and buy them, indicating that a standard size (as described by Rick) is used. Given that custom-made timber is extremely impractical for most consumers to obtain and that standard 4x4 lumber would be plenty strong enough, I think this must be what’s called for here. [/QUOTE] Right, but the _customer comments_ seem to agree that actual 4 inches by 4 inches is required. ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2007, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-hard-ridiculously-expensive-to-find-4x4-lumber-thats-4x4/429583/35 "2007-12-12T04:11:02Z")
[QUOTE=Xema] The kit that DuckDuckGoose linked to is sold in lots of places. None that I checked specified the exact dimension of the required 4x4s, but all seem to say that you simply go down to your local lumber store and buy them, indicating that a standard size (as described by Rick) is used. Given that custom-made timber is extremely impractical for most consumers to obtain and that standard 4x4 lumber would be plenty strong enough, I think this must be what’s called for here. [/QUOTE] If you check the three reviews for the kit I linked to, you’ll find the following: > [@](#): > > Never, never, never purchase this product. It is a stand that is supposed to allow you to set up the hammock quickly and easily (15 min). However, the sleeves of the support do not fit the traditional 4X4’s […]. You either have to purchase specially made lumber ($$$$$$) or insert shims. […] When they say “do it yourself”, they really mean that you should just go ahead and build one yourself rather than wasting time and money on their product.Zero stars was not an option, otherwise that would have been my choice. > [@](#): > > Without a doubt the two metal support housings will last a lifetime. I have no problem at all with the product durability and overall finish. > > However, note that the instructions call for 4x4 posts. The manufacturer should have either explicitly warned that the kit requires true 4x4 posts, or, designed the kit to fit the dimensional 4x4 posts commonly available at places such as Home Depot, Lowes or even mom and pop lumber yards. Dimensional 4x4s are really 3.5 x 3.5. > > As a result I had already purchased my posts long before the kit arrived and found out during assembly that the posts were a half inch too small. I could have sought out true 4x4s, but I did not want to go through the additional expense. So I used wedges to fill the gaps. Not ideal, but it works ok for the purpose. > > If you’re going to buy this kit, make sure you get actual 4" by 4" posts. > [@](#): > > a sturdy product.. however sloppy fit with 4x4’s from local home center Sounds pretty straightforward to me–the kit doesn’t work with off-the-rack 4 x 4s from Lowes; you’ll have to use lumber that actually measures 4" x 4". ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2007, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-hard-ridiculously-expensive-to-find-4x4-lumber-thats-4x4/429583/36 "2007-12-12T04:32:01Z")
Thanks for posting the reviews (I didn’t see them earlier). This product is obviously disqualified from consideration by any sensible person. (Amazing that they would fail to make it usable with standard lumber.) ---
**Author:** ![Cheez\_Whia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d26b3c/32.png) [@Cheez\_Whia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheez_Whia)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2007, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-hard-ridiculously-expensive-to-find-4x4-lumber-thats-4x4/429583/37 "2007-12-12T04:33:54Z")
Not to break up the party or anything, but the 4 x 4’s used for fence posts are usually true 4 x 4’s. Rough cut cedar or somesuch. And should be available at any lumber yard. Even Lowe’s or Home Despot. ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2007, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-hard-ridiculously-expensive-to-find-4x4-lumber-thats-4x4/429583/38 "2007-12-12T05:30:06Z")
Instead of ripping down a 6 x 6, why not use polyurethane glue to add 1/4" to all four planes of a 4 x 4? You could afford to use a very nice species for the cladding, such as ipe. ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2007, 10:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-hard-ridiculously-expensive-to-find-4x4-lumber-thats-4x4/429583/39 "2007-12-12T10:58:40Z")
[QUOTE=Xema] DuckDuckGoose … [/QUOTE] I bet that’s really greasy. ---
**Author:** ![Chief\_Pedant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@Chief\_Pedant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chief_Pedant)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2007, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-hard-ridiculously-expensive-to-find-4x4-lumber-thats-4x4/429583/40 "2007-12-12T12:43:09Z")
[QUOTE=jsgoddess] I’m looking at hammocks online to buy one for my husband, and there are kits for sale to make a hammock stand. Comments from customers indicate that the kits require actual 4x4s, not whatever modern lumber tends to be–3.5x3.5? So they comment that purchasers should be aware they need to find true 4x4s. Would that an easy thing to do in nowheresville Ohio? [/QUOTE] While dimensional lumber is in fact, different from the nominal size, it’s easy to find “true 4x4s” that are 4" by 4" (less, perhaps, a 1/16" or so from drying and shrinkage). From the posts above, it’s apparent that only **Cheez\_Whia** actually builds anything…these Dopers need to get out of their cubicles. Dimensional lumber has been planed to a smoother surface, so the “nominal” size has been reduced. (Has actually calling a store gone completely out of style these days? The net isn’t the first choice for every problem…) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-hard-ridiculously-expensive-to-find-4x4-lumber-thats-4x4/429583.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-hard-ridiculously-expensive-to-find-4x4-lumber-thats-4x4/429583.md?page=3)