In the video titled “Home Center Woodworking Lumber: Home Depot, Lowe’s & Menards Comparison,” Stumpy Nubs dives into the nuances of purchasing woodworking materials from three major home centers: Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Menards.
This detailed analysis is tailored for woodworkers looking to understand the variations in wood quality, selection, and price across these popular stores.
The Video is broken into the following chapters:
1) Construction Lumber
2) Plywood & Sheet Goods
3) Pine Boards
4) Hardwood Boards
Stumpy Nubs begins by setting the context for the ubiquitous nature of big box stores and their convenience for woodworkers, especially those just starting or those not requiring premium hardwoods.
He expresses a preference based on extensive personal shopping experiences, highlighting how each store stands out in different aspects of lumber provision.
The core of the video is a comparative analysis focusing on several key factors affecting a woodworker’s choice: the quality of construction lumber, the variety and quality of sheet goods, and the pricing structure of these materials at each store.
Stumpy Nubs provides firsthand observations supported by recent visits to these stores, where he captured photographic evidence to back his points, despite facing some hurdles with store security.
For construction lumber, he recommends Home Depot for having higher quality timber, especially Douglas Fir, which is preferable for its density and fewer knots.
Lowe’s and Menards are noted for lesser quality lumber, with Menards being particularly inconvenient due to its storage locations.
When discussing sheet goods, Stumpy Nubs favors Menards for its extensive selection, including various grades of plywood and options for different veneers and core types.
However, he points out the physical strain of retrieving plywood from Menards due to its storage practices, which can be cumbersome compared to the more accessible setups at Home Depot and Lowe’s.
Price comparisons reveal that while some stores may offer lower prices on specific items, regional variations can apply, and overall, each store has its strengths and weaknesses that can influence a woodworker’s decision based on their specific needs.
This video serves as a practical guide for woodworkers to strategically choose where to purchase their materials based on an informed understanding of what each home center offers.
Stumpy Nubs emphasizes the importance of personal experience and encourages viewers to share their insights, enhancing the community’s collective knowledge on navigating home center options.