I'm assuming that 2x2 lumber must exist since some of Ana's plans call for them. But I have been to my local blue and orange store and can't find any. What section are they usually in? I guess I could create 2x2's from 2x3's with a table saw but I was just wondering if anyone else has had this problem?
Forums
bobgaivin
Tue, 02/01/2011 - 09:09
Orangesugar,
My Lowes in Akron area Ohio has 2x2x8' for $2.97
Bob Gaivin
claydowling
Wed, 02/02/2011 - 04:59
They might be labled as firring strips. This stuff tends to be pretty swisty though.
I needed some for a current project, and wound up ripping them from a 2x12 offcut from something else. Not practical though if you don't have a tablesaw or rip saw.
airyn1
Thu, 02/03/2011 - 03:07
I'm making the Farmhouse Doll bed right now and I couldn't find the 2x2's either. I used 1x2's, glued them together and left them clamped overnight to let the glue dry.
amanda.leonard
Tue, 02/08/2011 - 13:50
I found 2x2's at HD. There were not near the demensional lumber though. Rather they were over in the back by the plywood. They are not a pretty bunch so I had to dig for straight boards. Unfortunately, none of them are worth staining either.
Amanda
orangesugar
Mon, 02/21/2011 - 14:36
The only furring strips my HD carries are 2x3's. I found pressure treated 2x2's that I believe are for outdoor railings. If I'm going to paint anyway is it ok to use pressure treated lumber? Or should I just glue up some 1x2's?
bebling
Mon, 02/21/2011 - 15:57
My experience with treated lumbers is... it needs to dry (cure) before applying paint. This could take quite some time. If you cannot locate 2x2s in your big box stores ask if they will rip 2x4s for you. If they wont, maybe a local smaller lumber store in your community can. Mine will without a charge. Of course I pay a little more for the 2x4 but get decent stock and GREAT SERVICE.
This is based on an assumption the 2x2 needed is actually 1.5 x 1.75 if splitting from a 2x4.
Bryan
claydowling
Mon, 02/21/2011 - 17:16
Stay away from the treated stuff for furniture. The chemical it's pressure treated with is poisonous. It won't hurt you to handle it, but you wouldn't want to be in contact with it constantly the way you are with furniture, and you definitely wouldn't want it for a table.
The 2x12 that I used is actually a prime source for the material, you just need to rip it. If your rip cuts are anything like mine you'll also want to take a jack plane to the cut edge. I rip with a hand saw, because I've got hairy knuckles and a dislike of loud noises, but even when I rip with a table saw I usually need to clean up with a plane. Making nice rip cuts takes a fair bit of talent and I don't have it yet.
kaytrishjr
Thu, 02/24/2011 - 07:55
Orange has 2x2's, it's usually right by the 1x3s, by the plywood. But as Amanda said you definitely have to dig for straight boards.
2x2s make me mad! (not verified)
Mon, 03/21/2011 - 07:57
I can't find them either...
I've checked everywhere for 2x2s. no such luck! I really want to avoid using furring strips... but it seems like the only thing that comes in a 2x2x8. I had a guy split some 2x4s for me at HD but he wasn't able to get them very percise and it threw me off. Where is Anna getting all of her 2x2s?!
claydowling
Mon, 03/21/2011 - 11:43
Make them yourself
If you can't go to a local lumber yard, buy 2x12 and rip it down to size. You can either get a fence for your circular saw, or find a friend with a table saw.
But really, really try to go to a local lumber yard. The big box stores don't specialize in selling lumber, and what you get there is going to have a smaller selection and poorer quality than what the lumberyard carries. The yards by me would even be willing to rip that 2x12 down to 2x2s for you. Might be a small cost, but you'd get quality material.
It's like the difference between going to a chain jeweler in the mall, and going to an independent jeweler who has been a couple of generations in the trade. I did that for my wedding rings, and I got a better product at a better price with better service then too.
Anna (not verified)
Mon, 03/28/2011 - 20:21
There are generally 2x2's in
There are generally 2x2's in poplar and pine near the dimensional lumber area. Our lowes even has nicer "fir" 2x2's. The fir is twice as much as the firring strips, but in some cases you get just what you pay for :) good luck in your hunt. Poplar is a good paintable wood.
groovymom2000
Thu, 03/31/2011 - 13:12
2x2s
Our local Lowes carries the 2x2s--but they are furring strips. Good news--they are cheap. Bad news--they are mostly crappy. I have had the best luck though with buying a bundle of them--make sure they are still strapped together. I think there are 6 in a bundle--and the strapping helps keep them straight while they sit there. Then I can use what I need, and cut off the bad parts. You can go online to the Lowes website and search for 22s online--type in your zip code and it will tell you if they have any in stock at your local store. Same with HD, but mine doesn't carry 2x2s. Our local lumber yards are not open when I can go, so big box it is for now.
geoffinseattle
Mon, 08/10/2015 - 10:35
Last night I was picking
Last night I was picking through the 2x2 furring at my local Lowes and one of the employees came over and asked if I was going to be nailing them to the wall and if I wasn't that, even though they may be straight today, they won't be for long. I said I was building something and won't be using them on the wall. He asked if I had heard of Ana White's website to which I told him that is where the plans I was building from were located (I'm making the Rhyan Console). He then suggested that I do one of 3 things.. use the 2x2 cedar they had (a more expensive option), use the 2x2 douglass fir (the most expensive @ nearly $8 each for 2x2x8), or what he does and grab a few 2x6's and just make my own. The 2x6 option is what I ultimately chose.
He went on to explain that any of the wood that is banded together (such as the furring strips) is from the soft wood and will warp. The reason they are banded together is "just to keep them in a stack", othewise, they will all warp and fall all over the place. He said that the kiln dried lumber will stay true (if it is from the start) unless it gets wet.
Yes, it will add a bit of extra time to the project to rip your own 2x2's, but if you have a table saw it seems like the best choice unless you go to an actual lumber yard if you want to get straight lumber.