What is a Board Foot? - Ask Matt #10

Summary

In this episode of 'Ask Matt,' Matt demystifies the concept of board footage, explaining how lumber is measured and sold. He introduces the board foot as a volume unit equal to 144 cubic inches, emphasizing the importance of thickness, width, and length in calculations. With practical examples, he demonstrates how to compute board footage using a simple formula, making it accessible for beginners. Matt encourages viewers to familiarize themselves with lumber sizing, providing tips for confidently selecting and purchasing lumber while avoiding surprises at the checkout. This episode is a valuable resource for anyone interested in woodworking.

Takeaways

• 😀 A board foot is a unit of volume used in lumber measurement, equivalent to 144 cubic inches.
• 📏 Lumber is sold by thickness in quarters (e.g., 4/4 equals 1 inch thick).
• 🔢 To calculate board feet, use the formula: Length (in inches) × Width (in inches) × Thickness (in inches) ÷ 144.
• 📐 Understanding the thickness, width, and length of lumber is crucial for accurate board foot calculations.
• 🌲 Familiarity with common board dimensions helps in estimating board footage when shopping for lumber.
• 💧 A board foot can be visualized as a volume of water, helping to grasp its size conceptually.
• 💡 It becomes easier to calculate board feet with practice, as it will feel more intuitive over time.
• 🛠️ Knowing the board footage of lumber helps avoid sticker shock at the checkout counter.
• 📊 Different thicknesses affect the surface area of the board but do not change the board foot volume.
• ✉️ Viewers are encouraged to ask questions and suggest topics for future episodes to deepen their understanding.

Q & A

What is a board foot?

A board foot is a unit of volume used to measure lumber, equivalent to 144 cubic inches.

How is lumber typically sold?

Lumber is sold by thickness in fractions, such as 4/4, 5/4, etc., which refer to the thickness of the boards.

What does the fraction 4/4 represent?

The fraction 4/4 represents a thickness of 1 inch.

How can you convert cubic inches to board feet?

To convert cubic inches to board feet, divide the volume in cubic inches by 144.

What formula is used to calculate the number of board feet in a piece of wood?

The formula to calculate board feet is: Length (in inches) x Width (in inches) x Thickness (in inches) / 144.

How do different thicknesses of wood affect board feet?

Different thicknesses change the volume of the wood while the surface area may vary, but the board footage is calculated based on the volume.

What example did Matt use to demonstrate how to calculate board feet?

Matt used a piece of 4/4 cherry wood, measuring 12 inches wide and approximately 6.5 feet long, calculating it to be 6.5 board feet.

Why is understanding board footage important for woodworking?

Understanding board footage helps woodworkers accurately assess the amount of material they are purchasing, preventing unexpected costs.

What does Matt suggest for becoming more comfortable with calculating board footage?

Matt suggests memorizing the dimensions of commonly purchased boards to make estimating board footage easier during shopping.

How does Matt encourage viewer engagement in the video?

Matt invites viewers to leave suggestions for future topics and to reach out with any questions they have about board footage.