Question 1

What are the dimensions of a 2X4?

	2 inches by 4 inches
	1 1/2 inches by 3 1/2 inches
	1 3/4 inches by 3 3/4 inches
	2 1/2 inches by 4 1/2 inches
The term "2X4" is a nominal measurement. All dimension lumber is 1 1/2 inches thick by 1/2 inch less than the nominal measurement. For example, a 2x12 is 1 1/2 inches by 11 1/2 inches.

Question 2

What is a kerf?

	The gap made in a board by a saw blade
	The red flag on the end of a board that sticks out past the tailgate of the delivery truck
	A type of nail
	The tool you use to stretch a board that you cut too short
Most saw blades are 1/8 inch thick. When you cut a board, the blade removes 1/8 inch of material. Thus, if you cut 2 feet from an 8 foot board, the remaining board will be shorter than 6 feet. The tool you use to stretch a board that you cut too short is called a board stretcher, and if you find one, let me know. We´ll both be rich.

Question 3

What is a header?

	When you fall off a ladder
	What the stock market takes immediately after I start thinking I am pretty smart
	A structural member used to transfer weight
	A structural member that you crack your head on going down the basement stairs
The weight of your house is supported by the outside walls. When you cut out the opening for windows and doors, the weight above the openings is transferred to the surrounding studs by means of a header. What the stock market takes when I start thinking I´m smart is called, among other things, "Black Tuesday".

Question 4

What is a truss?

	That thing in your grandpa´s closet
	A manufactured support system
	Come to think of it, those 2 are the same thing, aren´t they?
	A savings institution, as in First National Bank and Truss
A roof truss is a manufactured rib consisting of 2 rafters, a ceiling joist, and a web of lumber which supports the weight of the roof.

Question 5

How long is an 8 foot pre-cut stud?

	8 feet..........duh
	If it´s pre-cut, it isn´t a stud anymore
	92 5/8 inches
	96 inches
A stud wall consists of a sole plate (1 1/2 inches thick), 2 top plates ( each 1 1/2 inches thick), and the studs between them. The studs for an 8 foot wall are 92 5/8 inches long. But wait!! That makes the wall 97 1/8 inches high. 8 feet is only 96 inches. The reasoning is this: There is sheetrock on the ceiling which can be 5/8 inch thick. That gets us down to 96 1/2 inches. The extra 1/2 inch is there to make it easier for sheetrock to be hung on the walls.

Question 6

What is a plumb bob?

	It´s a fruit, Mike
	A weighted string
	When you try to get plumbs out of a bucket of water using only your teeth
	A tool used by plumbers to stop leaks
When you hang a weight from a string, the string will be exactly vertical. A plumb bob can be used, for instance, to find the point on the floor directly beneath a point on the ceiling.

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