Finger joint 2x4 wall studs.

[iSpark]

Just noticed that the 2x4 pack that was delivered today is finger jointed. I would guess this is okay for non-load bearing walls but for load bearing I'm not sure about.
The ones that were delivered will be for a load bearing wall.

Is that the norm now? Finger joint wall studs?

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[K'ledgeBldr]

I hate them- and have had problems with them falling apart because the fingerjoints didn't get glued well.

Send them back- and tell them NO FINGERJOINT!

 

[Bluearmflames]

Send them back for a load bearing wall. If they are stamped correctly they can be used for load bearing, but they tend to be slightly fragile.

 

[Git]

Look up the price of the finger jointed studs versus regular studs in your area and I think you will have your answer

 

[The Cobbler]

FJ studs are not permitted for load bearing here.

 

[iSpark]

I'm okay with finger joint trim that gets painted, but I'm leery of anything finger joint for structural.

Got to have a talk with the GC.

And yeah, I would imagine finger joint 2x4's are way cheaper. This few however, should have been normal studs.

 

[iSpark]

Hmm
Just talked with GC.
He said they were stronger.

Do they make structural finger joint wall studs? More specific, load bearing finger joint studs? I can't see any markings on the studs unless they are all facing down.

 

[dogdog]

Hmm
Just talked with GC.
He said they were stronger.

Do they make structural finger joint wall studs? More specific, load bearing finger joint studs? I can't see any markings on the studs unless they are all facing down.

They probably lied, probably cheaper with these or whats available. Highly suspicious with your GC's statement.

 

[K'ledgeBldr]

Decide for yourself-

https://awc.org/faqs/awc-standards/...nd-edge-glued)-be-substituted-for-sawn-lumber

Your GC is stating half-factual information.

 

[SundayFunday]

Do they make structural finger joint wall studs? More specific, load bearing finger joint studs? I can't see any markings on the studs unless they are all facing down.

Without a grade stamp, that lumber could be anything. I would trust it more if it had a stamp.

Some reading for you if interested:
https://www.wwpa.org/western-lumber/structural-lumber/finger-jointed


Finger-jointing is not rocket science, but there are definitely process checks that need to be done when it's made. I was an engineer on a line that made a few million board feet of finger-jointed lumber per year. We had sensors measure the weight of glue on every joint, the coverage on each joint, the squeeze pressure, the hold time...... It is also very dependent on the accuracy of the cut of the fingers.

 

[iSpark]

I just asked them to be replaced with normal studs for the load bearing wall.

Whether or not the FJ studs is completely fine, I would feel better with normal studs.

 

[couch67]

Thats a first for me, never seen 2x4 FJ lumber before, only 2x3.

 

[THE RIP]

I used them 20 years ago when I was a framing sub. We didn't care for them but that's what the GC bought.

 

[sps4runner]

I have never seen those or heard of them either; only seen them on trim pieces. Seems sketchy...

 

[iSpark]

GC called me after a round of texting, and said they would swap them out in the morning with normal studs that are rated for load bearing.

I'm just not a fan of finger joints.

 

[iSpark]

Oh yeah, here is the stamp I overlooked.
No clue on the rating.



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[WNYflyer]

Oh yeah, here is the stamp I overlooked.
No clue on the rating.



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Never heard of end jointed lumber for structural applications, I learned something new. From my reading since the stamp says "vertical use only" they are acceptable for use where the load they see is primarily compression as in exterior and interior bearing walls. Exterior bearing walls also see bending due to wind loads, etc but it looks like since wind, earthquake, etc. are intermittent loads and not long term the "vertical use only" studs can be used in those applications. Now I wonder if they can be used on exterior non-bearing walls subject to bending due to wind but have minimal compression since it is a non-bearing wall? I would figure they are okay there also.

Of course all the other grade stamps have to be correct for the application and design assumptions.

 

[joey1320]

First time I've ever seen a finger-jointed stud. I wouldn't buy one.

 

[Git]

 

[nadogail]

I am not ready for Finger Jointed Structural Lumber, I like it for moldings and trim work.

 

[ace10]

Never seen such a thing.
Do you have to avoid the joints when you're running electrical and plumbing?

 

[never enuf time]

They look nice and straight. I could see them for interior walls with solid 2x cripples at doors

 

[K'ledgeBldr]

Oh yeah, here is the stamp I overlooked.
No clue on the rating.

So, S-Dry is (surface dry- less than 19% moisture content)
#2 is not “stud grade” (on regular dimensional lumber). But, it says for “vertical use only” and makes no designation as to the type of glue.

I would relegate those to interior walls only- then again, as I previously stated- I hate them and will not use them.

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

Never seen the FJ 2x4s either. How much cheaper over the standard stud?

 

[iSpark]

I don't know the cost on these but I will try and find out.

As far as electrical and plumbing runs, my guess is the hole size would fall under the same requirement as regular studs and also be allowed in the joint.
The different joint locations on each stud would make a pretty stupid line horizontally if you have to avoid the joint. Some of these "pieces" are just 1 inch long!

These studs were going to be used on a interior load bearing wall, red in the pic, if it was non-load bearing I probably wouldn't have said anything. As a matter of fact this interior load wall is only one of two walls inside, well 4 technically, that are load bearing internally.

The stairs go to storage above those rooms.

 

[Daniel Dudley]

Seems pretty sketchy over the long haul.

 

[reader2580]

The builder who built my previous house in 2001 told me he had a client who wanted his house built with finger jointed studs as they are straighter than regular studs. I believe at the time they were more expensive than regular studs.

Today, if I was going for straight I would use Timberstrand lumber.

 

[ace10]

Were there any sawn 2Xs delivered for top plates and other horizontals?

 

[Stuart in MN]

The Western Wood Products Association web page on finger joint lumber, including information on the lumber stamps and structural use: https://www.wwpa.org/western-lumber/structural-lumber/finger-jointed

 

[txvwnut]

I think you’ll see FJ studs more at commercial lumber yards over the box improvement stores. When I built my shop I ordered all my lumber from a commercial lumber/building materials supplier. They sent a rep out who looked over my prints and agreed that I had figured the right amount materials and there intended use in the build. When the order was delivered I noticed the 2x4’s were all FJ and cost me about the same as what HD had in stock but were noticeably better quality in regards to straight and flat so I went with them. That was 17 years ago and I haven’t had an issue with any of them in a load bearing setting holding up the second story of my shop.

 

[finn]

I suspect use of finger joined studs and other engineered products will gradually become commonplace in the construction industry as the old products everyone has historically used become more expensive to the point they are no longer economically feasible to use.

It’s happened before.

PVC and pex have replaced cast iron, galvanized, and copper, dimensional lumber replaced full dimension rough sawn, vinyl replaced cedar siding, and asphalt shingles replaced cedar and slate shingles. Plywood replaced shiplap fifty years ago, and Osb replaced plywood thirty years ago. Romex is, with some local exceptions, universally accepted.

All of these changes met resistance from the old guard who typically resist change, and some, like aluminum wiring, end up being bad ideas and fail.

These changes take time, sometimes generations, but eventually the old school dies off and life continues....

 

[Daniel Dudley]

I'm totally OK with you using them right now.

 

[Sumboodie]

Look up the price of the finger jointed studs versus regular studs in your area and I think you will have your answer

My walls have those. Assumed it was because it'd make a straighter stud.

 

[383 240z]

The laminated 6x6's that make the structure for my last two pole barns had them. I loved them. Dead straight, the bottom 5' are PT. I liked that the rest wasn't because one of them was a livestock barn.I did not have to worry about the goats chewing on them.

I just spec'ed them for the building I'm doing now. 6x6x22 About 2x the cost of a regular 6x6x22, but I feel it is money well spent

 

[bigdav160]

My walls have those. Assumed it was because it'd make a straighter stud.

Exactly. Like for interior kitchen walls where cabinets are going to be hung.

They are not hard to break at the finger joint.

 

[CJ7VFR]

Exactly. Like for interior kitchen walls where cabinets are going to be hung.

They are not hard to break at the finger joint.

If they are easy to break, then is it wise to hang heavy kitchen cabinets off of them, especially when the cabinets can weigh hundreds of pounds when loaded?

Or does it not matter since the screws for the cabinet will go into the sides of the FJ studs?

Jim

 

[ace10]

I spoke with a buddy of mine who's a custom home builder. He said saw them and used them twenty years ago in Michigan. But not much since, and not in here in Virginia.

His main concern is with structure collapse during a fire. Which really only applies for residences.

 

[K'ledgeBldr]

Today, if I was going for straight I would use Timberstrand lumber.

I'd use LGS.

 

[K'ledgeBldr]

I spoke with a buddy of mine who's a custom home builder. He said saw them and used them twenty years ago...

I remember about that same period- there was a tariff war going on and Canada suppliers found a loop-hole. They were drilling a hole about 24" from one end (just like an electrician would do running wire), The stud now became a "manufactured product", not a commodity.

 

[exmaxima1]

Oh yeah, here is the stamp I overlooked.
No clue on the rating.

Looks like you have your answer. Vertical (compression) loads only. No rafters or headers would be my interpretation.