Timber Stock Forms and Material Quantities
The standard forms timber is sold in, the standard components used with it, and how to work out how much timber to buy while cutting waste to a minimum.
Justify the choices, the way you are assessed
Free interactive practice on the decisions the assessment actually asks you to justify.
Start revising freeWhat you'll cover
Buying and measuring timber
Timber is not sold in any shape you like. It comes in standard stock forms, each with set sizes, and it is joined with standard components you buy ready-made. A good designer works out exactly how much to buy and arranges the parts to waste as little as possible. This module covers the forms, the components and the sums.
Stock form vocabulary
Learn these four terms before you study the sizes.
Timber and components
Some things you cut to size, others you buy ready-made.
Buy enough, waste little
A top answer does the sums. Work out the size of each part, choose a stock form big enough, then count how many parts you can get from it. Arrange the parts close together, called nesting, so you cut waste to a minimum. Buy standard components like screws and hinges rather than making your own.
Match the form
- plank
- board
- moulding
- dowel
- a thick, wide length of sawn timber
- a thin flat sheet, often manufactured
- a length with a shaped decorative edge
- a round rod measured by its diameter
Measuring a plank
How is a plank of timber usually measured when it is sold?
- By its length, width and thickness.
- By its diameter only.
- By its weight only.
- By its colour.
Standard components
Select the TWO standard components you would buy ready-made.
- A woodscrew.
- A hinge.
- A plank you cut to length.
- A one-off bracket you make.
Order the calculation
Put the steps of working out how much timber to buy in order, earliest first.
- Work out the size of each part
- Choose a suitable stock form
- Count how many parts fit
- Arrange the parts to reduce waste
- Order the timber
Complete the facts
A standard shape that timber is sold in is a _____ form. A thick wide sawn length is a _____. A round rod measured by its diameter is a _____. Screws and hinges are standard _____. Arranging parts close together to save timber is called _____.
Parts from a plank
A plank is 2400 millimetres long. Each part you need is 300 millimetres long. Divide 2400 by 300 to find the number of parts you can cut. What is the answer?
Nesting on a sheet
On a sheet you can fit 4 parts across and 3 rows down. Multiply 4 by 3 to find the total number of parts that fit. What is the answer?
Cut the waste
Tap the TWO habits that reduce wasted timber.
- nest the parts close together
- choose a stock size that fits the parts
- leave large gaps between parts
- buy far more timber than needed
Plan the material
Read each situation and choose the best answer.
- A maker needs several round legs for a stool. Which stock form suits this best?
- A plank gives 8 parts but only 6 are needed. What is the best next step?
- A cabinet needs hinges to let a door swing. What should the maker do?
Explain the planning
Explain the stock forms timber is sold in and how a maker works out how much to buy without wasting it.
- Describe two stock forms and how each is measured
- Explain how to work out how many parts a stock form gives
- Explain how nesting reduces wasted timber