Reply by Charlie

I have a pair of HD 15 minutes from me in opposite directions. Lowes is about 25 minutes away in a usually-quite-congested area. I rarely go to Lowes. Since I got my planer, I don’t buy hardwoods from either of these places. ..... wait… I take that back… if I just need one piece of pine or poplar for something, I might grab it there KNOWING I’m going to pay way too much for it. Sheetgoods I get from a local hardwood and plywood place. I get some hardwood from them (rough cut, straight line ripped one edge), but primarily I’ve been shopping Craigslist lately for hardwoodsand doing pretty good.

I used HD for ductwork, duct insulation, plumbing parts and stuff like that. One HD has a very knowledgeable and helpful lady in electrical who knows her stuff. Retired or escaped the trade I’m guessing. The other HD has a good plumbing person.