Is the Quality of Wood This Bad Everywhere?
Asked by CraftyBuilder99
I've been on the hunt for some decent construction-grade lumber to build some shop furniture, but I haven't had much luck. Every time I check the big home improvement stores, the wood I find is riddled with large knots or holes that weaken it, warped more than it should be, or seems waterlogged. It feels like a far cry from when they used to brag about their quality lumber selection. Is this lack of good wood a widespread issue, or is it just my local stores? If I have to take a day off just to find decent 2x8s, I might as well consider a new hobby.
Answers
It might just be that the good stuff got picked through already! You could ask the staff at the store when their next delivery is coming—might save you a trip. Also, don't just look for 8-foot boards; checking out the studs can sometimes lead to finding better quality wood that hasn't been messed with yet.
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I seriously doubt that every piece of lumber at your local Home Depot is that unusable. If it is, then it’s definitely not like that everywhere else. Have you tried looking at other places too?
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I've had to sift through the 2x4s for a while, but I usually manage to find decent pieces. It really pays off to check different stocks. My local Menards has an indoor pallet of 2x4s that are fairly priced, and I often find good straight ones if I'm willing to dig a bit. If there’s a fresh pallet, that’s usually your best bet—don’t wait until you really need it to look!
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