Woodworking Language
Everyone needs to be speaking the same language! Folks always sound a bit silly when they try to make up their own language to describe stuff that already has terminology. Please learn the woodworking definitions for the following nine words:
1. Thickness The smallest dimension.
2. Width The measurement of a board that goes across the grain.
3. Length The measurement of a board that goes with the grain.
4. Edge The smaller surface that goes with the grain.
5. End The surface where there is nothing but end grain.
6. Face The largest surface. Usually the face does not have end grain showing.
7. Square: A 90 degree angle. Not to be confused with a shape that has all equal sides. In woodworking we deal with 90-degree angles a lot. We measure with a “TRY SQUARE” to make sure that our 90-degree shape is accurate.
8. True: Flat. That’s it…just flat. You might want to know why we do not just say flat? Sometimes we just have to learn proper names for stuff. Do not worry, it does not happen very often around here.
9. Parallel: Two lines or sides that are equal distances apart at all places. You have heard this term in math for a bunch of years now. At last you will be able to actually put it to good use.
T x W x L : We always describe a board using this standard. Thickness x Width x Length. This is usually the smallest number to the largest number. Think of a 2 x 4.