Home Depot and Menards Not Bringing the Wood

[Gooch1971]

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/nation-now/2017/06/21/home-depot-menards-lumber-size-lawsuit/415874001/

Yet another reason why we need to bring back shop class. This could go right along with the thread about not knowing how to change a tire. People seem to be losing their opportunity/ability to learn the most basic skills and concepts.

I am fascinated by how things are made, built and repaired. I learned at the side of my dad, grandfathers and 8th grade shop teacher. I know just enough to be dangerous and think the internet/YouTube can take me the rest of the way. My kids on the other hand have no interest in fixing anything. They think you just go buy another one or call somebody to fix it.

[GH85Carrera]

It seems amazing any lawyer would take the case. I am far from a carpenter but I believe a 2x4 has never ever been 2x4 inches.

Lowe’s ordered to pay 2x4 settlement | HBS Dealer

It all started in California I guess.

[Sooner or later]

This has to be an article from The Onion.

[Sooner or later]

How long will it take them to figure out a 2x4 isn't 2x4.

[flipper35]

A simple google search when they got home and measured would have let those three men know how stupid they really are.

[speeder]

I spent many years working on really old houses and you have to go back about 100 years for true 2x4s, IIRC.

[dad911]

And schmucks like us work for a living, instead of looking for a free handout from a frivolous lawsuit.

Unfortunately, they will settle it out because it's cheaper than litigating.

[look 171]

Those lawyers are so stupid. Its been likt that for ages, nominal size. Sue all the lumber yards, and lumber industry. What BS?

[look 171]

Originally Posted by speeder

I spent many years working on really old houses and you have to go back about 100 years for true 2x4s, IIRC.

70-80 year. I have pulled apart many homes built in the 20-30. They are pretty much exact in size, but still many were rough so that dimension was always off

[dad911]

Originally Posted by look 171

Those lawyers are so stupid. Its been likt that for ages, nominal size. Sue all the lumber yards, and lumber industry. What BS?

They're not stupid, they know and are banking they will get paid.

[Jrboulder]

I'm pretty sure Home Depot has the actual dimensions on the tag hanging from the rack.

[ossiblue]

I think this last quote from the article says it all:

Asked whether it was coincidence that three different men found the same sort of issue with lumber first at Menards and then at Home Depot, and then all decided to go to McGuire Law, Turin said he couldn’t comment.

“It’s kind of attorney-client privilege in terms of how the clients were retained, and the circumstances of our retainer of them,” he said. “They did freely come to us.”

Ambulance chasers.

[fastfredracing]

Originally Posted by speeder

I spent many years working on really old houses and you have to go back about 100 years for true 2x4s, IIRC.

Yep, some of the rentals we did have true 2x4 barwood looking oak boards for framing. No wonder they are still standing all this time later .

[aschen]

this is why we can't have nice things

though the stickler in me thinks they should be named more appropriately.

[Charles Freeborn]

On the other hand HD has "empowered" the DIY movement...when you sleep with the dogs you wake up with the fleas....
Nominal lumber has been those dimensions since well before I began in the trades 35+ yrs ago. There were a few different in-between sizes (1.75 x 3.75" for 2x4) in the 40's or so, and rough sawn was and is still full dimension... There are other changes in the last decade or so with plywood sizing and some "1x" is now 11/16" thick. Sanded 3/4" plywood is routinely 13/16" thick.

[widebody911]

For the past year or so, Home Depot has been using the actual measurements on the shelf tags and web site

2 in. x 4 in. x 16 ft. Hem-Fir Brown Stain Ground Contact Pressure-Treated Lumber (Actual: 1.5 in. x 3.5 in. x 192 in.)-17463-16 - The Home Depot

[ckelly78z]

I have done many construction projects over the years, and NEVER have counted on a pine 2x4 as being anything other than 1.5"x3.5". Back in the days of native hardwood milled at the sawmill, you actually got an oak/ash board measuring 2"x4", or whatever dimension you wanted......and damned near impossible to pound a nail into.

[Jims5543]

Hey Bob, go grab me five more 1.5 by 2.5's!!

Yeah that rolls right off the tongue.

[RKDinOKC]

These lawyers would stop this crap is the companies would countersue for court costs at the least. But guess that's not in the best interests of the lawyers working for the companies.

[legion]

Originally Posted by ossiblue

I think this last quote from the article says it all:

Asked whether it was coincidence that three different men found the same sort of issue with lumber first at Menards and then at Home Depot, and then all decided to go to McGuire Law, Turin said he couldn’t comment.

“It’s kind of attorney-client privilege in terms of how the clients were retained, and the circumstances of our retainer of them,” he said. “They did freely come to us.”

Ambulance chasers.

Yep. This is very common. It is also unethical and sometimes illegal.