I went to Lowe's to get my lumber, which I know is not the highest quality lumber to begin with, but it was open. I needed boards 33" x 8" x 1". They sell boards labeled 8" x 1", but in reality the boards are 7 1/4" x 3/4". So frustrating! I ended up buying the 10" size, which was really 9 1/4". (They do hang below the tread a little bit, but it is under the stairs so it doesn't really matter. )The Lowe's guy was great and cut the boards to 33" (exact size not 3/4" smaller). I do love that service and he didn't charge me, which I have heard they are supposed to.
The wrong size lumber experience today (and other lumber with this project) just reinforced my belief that the older home is more solidly built due to the fact that the quality of lumber available 90 years ago was just a better than we can find now. Even though my house was an economy home 90 years ago, the lumber is better quality than many high end homes of today. Hopefully I have talked my husband into my way of thinking so that if we move again we can move into one of the other historic houses in town.