Junk Lumber

[davesl708]

As big a pain as it is I always hand select my lumber just for the reason you show. If you let the yard pick you will get the junk.

 

[greenmojo]

Now you know why I bought one of these,

One of my BEST investments!

Drooling!

 

[LD1]

According to the definition of #2, I suppose these would classify, but at the very bottom end. Supposed to be #2 AND BETTER. I dont think any are better.

I can tolerate some wane, in moderation. But this is just too much.

I got quotes from 6 different places. Lowes, Menards, Home Depot, 84 lumber, Holmes/Carter Lumber, and Keim Lumber. All competitive, prices ranged from $3200-$3600, so not alot of difference. Lowes and HD were out as they didnt have the few 18-20' boards I needed. Surprised that menards wasnt the cheapest.

I would have expected the lowest quality to come from the 3 big box stores. I would have thought 84, Carter, and Keim would have all been a tad higher quality. I wont say just which one it was yet, see if they make it right first. But I dont think any of these 6 stores even carry #1 stuff.

 

[EddieWalker]

When I built my parents house a few years ago, we bought all our framing studs from Lowes, but then I went to McCoys Lumberyard for the long stuff. I needed a bunch of 22 ft 2x6's for the rafters, plus a Glulam beam and some other things like the windows and some brackets I couldn't find at Lowes. In a perfect world, one store would have everything, but in reality, you usually have to go to three to get the best each has to offer.

Eddie

 

[greenmojo]

HD is the largest lumber purchaser in the US. I've been told a lot of the lumber problems with them have to do with swamp coolers and moisture when the lumber sits inside. Outdoor lumber yards are much better at letting the lumber adjust to the climate.

Other than this, the arguments are all preference most of the time. I've built 4 buildings including the house from lumber yards as well as HD, and have seen lumber yards fall short and boomerangs from HD.

For deliveries, I usually go with a lumber yard (Chinook or Pro Build), for smaller jobs, I just hand-pick lumber or call ahead and have it ready and bundled for me at HD (telling them what quality I want).

~Moses

 

[greenmojo]

When I built my parents house a few years ago, we bought all our framing studs from Lowes, but then I went to McCoys Lumberyard for the long stuff. I needed a bunch of 22 ft 2x6's for the rafters, plus a Glulam beam and some other things like the windows and some brackets I couldn't find at Lowes. In a perfect world, one store would have everything, but in reality, you usually have to go to three to get the best each has to offer.

Eddie

+1

All our studs are 104 5/8" 2x6's -- not everyone has them in stock.

~Moses

 

[buckeyefarmer]

I bought most of my lumber for my house at 84 lumber. They carry lengths over 16', and their quality is usually better. However, if I'm picking up a few pieces I go to Lowes mostly, some from HD, and hand pick. Sometimes the pile is very good, sometimes it is all garbage, just depends on the day it seems. Overall Lowes has better quality than HD. Our HD and Lowes usually have the precut studs 92 5/8 in stock, not sure about the 104 5/8. If I ever build again, I will do 9' or 10' ceilings downstairs, and use 2x6 on the exterior.

 

[LD1]

I think what I got was the worst of the #2 piles.

Usually places have more than 1 bundle of 2x6x12's (which I got the most of with 142). I think I got the left overs from several bundles that people have already picked through. I have never seen this many bad boards all in the same skid. Thats why I think it is comprised of the worst boards from a few skids that no one else wanted. And rightfully so

 

[zzvyb6]

A few months ago I purchased some 2x6's from Lowes here in town . "Made is Sweden". I felt bad using then for fence boards.

 

[murphy1244]

I think what I got was the worst of the #2 piles.

Usually places have more than 1 bundle of 2x6x12's (which I got the most of with 142). I think I got the left overs from several bundles that people have already picked through. I have never seen this many bad boards all in the same skid. Thats why I think it is comprised of the worst boards from a few skids that no one else wanted. And rightfully so

Don't you have a bunch of Amish saw mills by you? or Keim lumber any good?