The First Time You Go To A Hardwood Dealer

3B Common: Used in pallets and crates, graded on the soundness of the board rather than defects. 1 Common: This grade is often times just called No. Remember to take this into consideration when buying stock for a project. 2B Common: Much the same as 2A Common. And as you would guess it's also the most expensive.No. This association was formed in 1897 to standardize hardwood grading because before each mill had their own grading system (and you thought the example above was confusing). Expect to have to take off at least 3/16" - 1/4" in thickness to get a smooth flat surface on both sides.The first time you go to a hardwood dealer can be pretty intimidating. 3A Common: Worm holes are allowed in this grade, other wise the same as 2B Common. 1 Common on one face and FAS on the other. FAS is the best grade of lumber meaning that it has the largest percent of clear area over all the other grades for this species of wood. Every conceivable species just waiting to go home with you.No.No. Poorer side is graded and must be 3" wide. When grading hardwood lumber the worst side (face) of a board is usually used to grade that board (sometimes the best face is considered).1 or Common.Select: Select is No. You come to your senses and and finally spit out that you're looking for some walnut. This alone can make your head spin. It can be like stepping into a foreign country where they speak a different language. While you're picking your chin off the floor an employee comes up and asks if they can help. Lumber has its own grading system that the United States and Canada uses that is set by the National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA)..FAS: First and Seconds.No.4/4 = 1 inch5/4 = 1 1/4 inches6/4 = 1 1/2 inches8/4 = 2 inches_______________________________________Armed with this information you can confidently walk into your hardwood dealer and talk "lumbernese" with the best of them.No. The measurement is taken before the board is surfaced. Wood as far as the eye can see. Similar to FAS except the better face is graded instead of the worst. The price between the first three grades can be very similar depending upon the dealer. The board must be at least 4" wide and like FAS 1-Face, the better face is graded. It must also be 6" wide. Here's an example: You walk into the lumber warehouse and you think you've died and gone to heaven.____________________________________The thickness of hardwood lumber is measured in 1/4" increments. A board must be at least 6" wide and the poorer of the two faces is used to grade it. "Well," he says, "do you want that FAS, Select, No.The grading of hardwood is based solely on the two faces of a board, and how wide it is, the thickness of the board doesn't come into play. 1 Common? What size do you want it, 4/4, 5/4, 6/4, or 8/4? Do you want it air dried or kiln dried?" And you thought your head was spinning before! What language is this guy speaking, "lumbernese"?Armed with the right information you can avoid this scenario altogether. This is still furniture grade material but more defects are allowed than the previous grades. This used to be two separate categories but was combined many years ago.FAS 1-Face: First and Seconds One Face. There are eight grades of hardwood lumber. 2A Common: You can still get short to medium size pieces.