I'm new to buying lumber, hardwood, and veneer, and I'm feeling a bit lost. My only experience so far has been with Home Depot and Lowe's, and while I've heard of other options, I'm unsure where to go for specific hardwoods or veneers. I'm looking for recommendations on the best places to shop, tips on what to ask, and how to evaluate if I'm getting a fair deal. For context, I'm finishing up my first woodworking project, a birch plywood record shelf, and I'm planning to sand and veneer it. I recently checked out Rockler, but with the prices they quoted for veneer, I'm worried I'm overspending. Any advice or resources would be incredibly helpful!
2 Answers
Try Googling "hardwood lumber near me." Get a list of local suppliers and compare their prices. Home Depot and Lowe's are usually overpriced. Rockler can be better than those big box stores, but if you can find a local lumber yard that caters to professionals, that's typically where you're going to get the best prices. Just remember to ask about delivery options if you don't have a truck!
I've been using Veneer Supplies for years and they have a great selection. You can find a lot of different veneers and their pricing is pretty fair too. Definitely worth a look!
If you don't find any local options, try calling some cabinet shops. They usually have good leads on where to get quality hardwood without breaking the bank!