I just got back from one of my favorite stores. I set a new, all time personal record for spending by walking out having spent and entire $1.22. This is unheard of for me. I had intended to buy some 1 x 4's to trim out the attic stairs I installed and didn't expect any trouble with that. After riffling through a stack of boards, I realized to my dismay that NONE of them were worth taking home, let alone BUYING. Cracks, warps, chunks missing, large pieces of bark still attached. these were boards being sold to Joe Average, and I guess Joe doesn't know any better. Good lumber, no, I didn't say great lumber, is becoming harder and harder to find. I suspect part of that is the folks keep buying regardless of what it is. I have no idea what the rest of us, who actually know how to look at boards, are going to do. The boards I saw would have had to be pieced together to make a six foot run of trim and I'm not talking fancy trim, just a surround around the stairs. I couldn't find a board that would make one side from one board! This is ridiculous!
Picking lumber has never been a case of just grab boards from the rack, wheel them to the checkout and pay your money. A careful inspection and selection process is required in order to get boards worth the money. Boards that resemble the beginnings of bows are out unless you are an archer. Boards with cracks running their length are out unless you like things to fall apart. Big chunks of bark are not acceptable unless you are looking for something truly rustic. Boards with huge gouges out of them are pretty much useless unless you are building for the distressed look. Plain and simple, general purpose, usable boards are getting tougher to find. I can only hope this is a peculiarity of Florida home improvement stores and doesn't reflect a nationwide trend. IF is it nationwide, where are the good boards going? I hope you have better luck than I. Maybe I'll go out and rip down some 2 x 4's...
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Last update : 22-07-2008 08:04
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