Surprised and dissapointed at all big box for plywood

[sailor55330]

I was going to make some shop shelves and racks so I went to Menards as they typically have more options. I used to able to buy 2x4 panels for the smaller projects as transporting full size sheets is not an option. None of my neighbors even have a truck to borrow. The big three are my best option so not sure where to go from here. Pretty dissapointed I guess

Anyone else have this issue?

[atgcpaul]

Never been to a Menards. I guess they don't give you two free cuts on their panel saw like HD or Lowes? My HD also has the 2x4 convenience panels of their sheet goods. I'll get one of those if that's all I need and don't feel like waiting for the cuts at their saw. They do come at a premium, though. Yesterday I paid almost $10 for a 2x4 sheet of 1/2 MDF. A full sheet was a little more than $25, I think.

[cwsmith]

I have a Dodge Grand Caravan... the length of which allows me to transport a full 4 x 8 sheet of ply. But it's a darn snug fit, my older 90's van had more room. But I don't like having to load and unload as is required with Lowes and Home Depot, so generally don't go there; and, my use of sheet goods is usually minimal anyway. Personally, I prefer pine boards for shelving, but of course, it they're really wide, then sheet stock is the best economic choice.

I do have a local lumber yard only a few blocks away and they offer free delivery... but their prices are about 10 to 15% higher. The stock is better though and I don't see the damage (banged up edges, crushed corners, surface abrasions, etc.) that you get at most big box stores.

CWS

[tfischer]

Haven't looked at sheet goods at Menards recently but last I knew Home Depot stocks cut-down panels, although the cost is more than buying a full sheet and just having them cut it down. I used to do that all the time when my only vehicle was a Pontiac Sunfire lol

[JoeyGee]

At my local Menards, I think you have to purchase the sheet, then load it up, then take it out back to have it cut. That defeats the purpose for me. I don't think I can fit a full sheet in my mini van, but LOML wouldn't want me to try, especially if it's dusty.

I'm shopping for a decent used truck this spring, so I won't have to worry about that any more : )

[sailor55330]

To my knowledge Menards doesn't cut. They used to carry 2x4,4x4, and full sheets of hardwood ply. Now it's just one side sanded ply and pre finished particle board in smaller sizes. My hd carries only full sheet and you pay for it. They will cut but my experience with wasn't great and still doesn't help with the extra wood to store Don't know about lowes. This kind or drives me to pre fab cabinets Ina way

[cwsmith]

My DIL bought a sheet of bead board at HD last weekend and asked them to cut it to a dimension, when she got it home and measured it, it was a 1/4" too large. "Better large than small," I told her, and she brought it over and I ran it thru the table saw for her.

I wonder how they'd handle it if they had cut it too small?


CWS

[JimD]

I used to carry sheet goods on the top of my SUV. I bought the rack from the manufacturer of the vehicle and it worked OK for awhile. Then I had a sheet blow off and damage a vehicle behind me. No more. Then I bought a little 4x8 trailer at Harbor Freight for about $200. Had to add a sheet of plywood for the floor and I added short sides (spaced out so 49x97 will fit inside). Later I put on their LED lights. It will fold for storage too (but I haven't done that in several years). A friend of my son's borrowed it and put the wires in a loom and put a coat of stain on it. The neat thing about it is I can put sheets flat on one of the carts at HD or Lowes and then just slide them into the trailer. If I get a hand putting it on the cart, it is very low effort. If I do 3/4 sheets by myself, it is significant effort to get it on the cart but then low effort to get it off the cart into the trailer.

My wife wants a pickup so we will undoubtedly end up with one and for getting the sheets from the vehicle to the workbench the pickup is probably better (trailer is quite low) but for getting it home, the trailer works great. And I am not paying to drag it every day to work like the bed of a pickup.

[twistsol]

Everything other than construction grade sheet goods is now special order at my local Menards. They still have 2x4 sheets of some stuff, but not much.

[JoeyGee]

My DIL bought a sheet of bead board at HD last weekend and asked them to cut it to a dimension, when she got it home and measured it, it was a 1/4" too large. "Better large than small," I told her, and she brought it over and I ran it thru the table saw for her.

I wonder how they'd handle it if they had cut it too small?


CWS

My HD has a sign that they do not guarantee any measurements.

[LCHIEN]

2x4 sheets will generally be shy in size as well. They are cut from two cuts on a 4 x 8 sheet, quartering it, so both sides of the each quarter will be shy by a 0-100% of a saw kerf if the original 4 x 8 was dead on size.

[os1kne]

Over the years, I've had a lot of sheet goods cut down by Lowe's and HD, probably 10 different locations. This is great for shop/garage shelving, or the odd project where exact dimensions aren't critical. I seem to recall a sign near the panel saw indicating that they don't do "precision cuts". The blades that I've noticed on their panel saws tend to be ripping blades, so there's often a good bit of tearout.