Many people shop at Lowe’s for their home improvement or construction needs.
Among many items, including tools, hardware, lawn care equipment, and lighting fixtures, this retail chain also sells lumber.
In fact, many woodworkers, carpenters, and DIY enthusiasts rely on Lowe’s to supply their main working material, wood.
The lumber department makes up a significant portion of their stores.
Customers can find all types of wood and almost anything they need to complete their woodworking projects.
Will Lowe’s Cut Wood For You?
Yes, Lowe’s makes your projects involving lumber that much easier by cutting wood to sizes you may need.
This comes at no additional charge to the customer.
This free service takes the stress out of painstakingly hand sawing purchased lumber yourself.
Even if you have the advantage of home power tools, having the store cut your lumber to its desired size is extremely convenient, especially when trying to get it all home.
Instead of bringing home too much wood, breaking out the measuring tape, and finding the room to cut it yourself, Lowe’s can take those timely aspects out of the building process.
For those that don’t know how to cut wood properly and safely at their home, this service is priceless.
However, woodworking projects should not rely on this cutting service alone.
Call ahead to your local Lowe’s before heading over there, as store saws can be out of commission and waiting on maintenance.
There are also usually only a couple of employees per store trained to operate the saw.
So, make sure someone is present and available to cut before you make the trip.
Though it seems obvious, it should be noted that for Lowe’s to cut your wood, you’ll need to have purchased it there.
They won’t cut wood brought in from the outside or purchased elsewhere.
How Much Wood Will Lowe’s Cut For You?
There isn’t a set limit as to how much lumber a store will cut for you, but it seems to be assumed that it should be a reasonable amount.
Large construction projects shouldn’t rely on the store to cut all of their wood pieces.
However, a sizable home project is likely doable.
It appears that Lowe’s standard policy is that they will cut two pieces for free or one cut per board, before adding additional fees for more cutting.
This policy is dependent on the store and the trained employees they have available.
Again, check with your local Lowe’s and inquire about quantity if you have questions before going in.
Each store’s process is a little different.
What Else Will Lowe’s Cut?
In addition to lumber, Lowe’s will cut mini-blinds, pipes, chains, rope, and more.
According to their website, they also offer “free pipe threading and cutting for any size of galvanized or black iron pipe.”
This process involves a special cutting operation involving a metal wheel, instead of a blade.
The metal wheel creates threads in the ends of the pipes.
The process is specifically designed to thread and cut pipes.
How Detailed Will They Cut It?
Lowe’s store saw can typically be used for only one cut style, a crosscut.
This cut is often in one direction in one clean line against the grain.
For instance, if you needed a 16ft 2×4 cut down to 12 feet, Lowe’s has it.
However, if you need a rip cut, that cuts along the grain, you’ll want to invest in a home power saw or seek out another cutting service.
These intricate cuts involve more precision than a Lowes’ industrial saw can accommodate.
It’s also a good thing to keep in mind the size of the saw blade when asking for a specific measurement crosscut.
The blade is typically 1/8”.
This means you’ll likely lose 1/8” of wood in the cutting process as it turns into sawdust.
This waste wood is called “kerf” and should always be taken into consideration for the best accuracy.
Typically Lowe’s employees are not concerned with extreme accuracy when cutting wood for their customers, so it’s best to allow for a little extra room.
That way if the cut isn’t exactly right, you can adjust it at home before starting your project.
If you’re cut is for a serious project, you probably won’t want to solely rely on Lowe’s wood cutting service.
Though this service is nice, the cutting is not always exact.
After all, the service is more for customer convenience, making your purchased wood transportable by having it fit in your car.
Either way, it’s best to know your measurements in advance, so time isn’t wasted on figuring out the logistics of the lengths and depths.
It’s probably best to measure or know the length of your car too to ensure the length you get can fit inside your vehicle.
What Should You Do If You Need A Different Cut?
For more detailed home projects, consider investing in your own home saw.
If you feel comfortable operating a power tool, there are several power saws available for purchase that are easy to handle.
Each power saw is used for different things, so research the type of saw you need for your project before investing.
Table saws are great for home projects.
They are pretty much self-explanatory circular saws mounted on a table base.
The blade protrudes from the table, making it easy to slide wood pieces through.
You can also change the angle of the cut by adjusting the blade.
Jig saws are portable handheld saws that have finer blades.
Because the blades move and up down, as opposed to in a circular motion, jig saws can make fine cuts, curves, and specialty designs easier.
However, the precision needed to guide this saw requires a steady hand and concentration.
Circular saws are extremely popular power tools because of their versatility.
They are handheld, making it easy to move around when using them.
The circular blade moves in a rotary motion but is protected by a guard unless it’s in contact with the wood.
This makes them much safer for home use than other saws.
You can also adjust the depth of the cut and saw at different angles.
In addition to wood, circular saws can cut metal, plastic, masonry, and more.
Miter saws, which are stabilized stationary saws with a pull-down blade, are also popular choices for small or large projects.
Miter saws are usually positioned on a table and are not as easy to maneuver as some other saws.
They are adjustable for angled cuts, making them a good choice for bigger home projects.
When sawing at home, it’s always important to remember to wear proper safety gear, including safety glasses, gloves, breathing masks, and even earbuds.
Does Lowe’s Rent Power Saws?
Yes, select Lowe’s stores offer tool rentals.
This includes power tools among many other types of home maintenance and repair equipment.
This allows customers to not only try out what they need if they were thinking of purchasing, but it also makes it easier to do singular projects.
If you’re not planning on taking up woodworking as a craft and instead just need to build one thing, perhaps renting a saw is a better option than buying.
Power saws that Lowe’s rents include miter, reciprocating, table, abrasive cut-off, beam cutter, fiber cement, and worm drive.
You can find specifications and usage purposes for each of these saws on their website.
Each saw has a different rental fee and rental duration chart.
Check with your local Lowe’s store for availability.
What Types Of Wood Does Lowe’s Sell?
Lowe’s sells a variety of different wood species.
Popular choices include pine, cedar, spruce pine fir, poplar, red oak, and many more.
After deciding on the correct species, there are many types of cuts with different widths, lengths, and thickness measurements.
However, if you’re more inclined to shop by category, you can find what you need in this way.
Shop specifically for plywood, lattice, wood veneer, or pressure-treated wood.
Construction companies and contractors can easily find studs, LVL beams, and I-Joist.
The Lowe’s website also makes it convenient to shop lumber by listing common woods for specific woodworking projects, like bookcases, decks, fences, floors, and wall paneling.
Narrowing down the abundant options makes it much easier to decide what you need for what project.
If you don’t know what you need or are new to the world of lumber, going to the store itself and asking a trained employee will be beneficial.
Though you can return unused lumber with your original receipt, it’s up to the discretion of the store whether they’ll return cut wood or not, so research what you want before you have it cut.
What Are Some Woodworking DIY Projects?
Customers purchase lumber for a number of reasons.
However, since the advent of Pinterest, many people are following the DIY (Do It Yourself) trend.
Instead of hiring outside help, including professional carpenters or contractors, many people are trying the build things themselves.
Some projects are more complicated than others though and should probably be done by professionals.
This includes any structural home construction, fencing, and decking.
Many of these projects involve permits and meeting building codes and are best left up to experienced experts.
Woodworking and carpentry seem to be a dying art.
With so much furniture being mass produced, customers want their products as quickly as possible.
The true craftsmanship it takes to create custom pieces takes lots of time and a lot of energy.
Proper woodworking is a fine skill that has been practiced and perfected over the years, and this amazing talent should be respected and recognized.
Not to mention, you’ll more than likely receive a far superior and more durable product when purchasing from local woodworkers.
However, there are smaller woodworking home projects that can be done by novice or intermediate woodworkers such as building raised garden beds, bookcases, planter boxes, wall art, or storage boxes.
When it’s possible, it’s always a great idea to upcycle and reuse any old wood or scavenged scraps.
Wooden pallets are trendy materials to work with currently.
You can make anything from headboards to outdoor seating to coffee tables with pallet wood.
Pallets were so frequently tossed out with the garbage in the past that seeing the value in this material is inspiring.
Many DIY websites can guide wood hobbyists along the building and creation of new crafts, furniture pieces, or wooden art.
When it comes to woodworking, the possibilities are endless.
Envisioning how raw lumber and scraps can look is truly a gift!
What Other Services Does Lowe’s Offer?
Besides cutting lumber, pipes, chains, and mini-blinds, Lowe’s offers several customer services.
These services include installation services, delivery options, paint color matching service (which involves matching or blending paint together to match whatever sample a customer brings in), assembly, and loading assistance.
They also offer educational workshops to inform the public about home safety and home protection.
When remodeling or building fresh, Lowe’s also offers consultation and design assistance.
This takes some of the pressure off of the homeowner and brings in fresh eyes.
Using computer designs, consultants can help customers envision and create the kitchen or bathroom of their dreams.
Will Lowe’s Deliver Wood?
Yes, Lowe’s will deliver wood if you spend over $50 on lumber or other purchases.
Their delivery fee starts at $75 and depends on the location.
Here’s how their truck delivery system works.
After purchasing over $50 of lumber on their website, select the truck delivery option.
When checking out, click on Delivery Details to schedule the date and time of your delivery.
It’s also easy to reschedule your delivery on their website by going back into your account.
Lowe’s delivers to homes, businesses, and job sites.
Unless you are a Lowe’s Pro customer, you are required to sign for all truck deliveries.
Where Does Lowe’s Get Their Lumber?
According to their corporate website, Lowe’s sources their lumber from “well-managed, non-endangered forests.”
After recognizing the impact their lumber sales have on the environment, Lowe’s instituted their first Wood Policy in 2000.
In their policy, they claim to hold themselves and their suppliers to the highest standard, safeguarding valuable forest resources.
To do this, they’re committed to keeping 100 percent Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification under the Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC), including the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI).
In addition, they only purchase wood that is legally harvested and traded, comes from a known source, and is not endangered.
They also do not purchase lumber that comes from deforestation or other “ecosystem conversion,” to not harm any endangered or threatened species or create biodiversity loss.
They also refuse to work with suppliers that don’t recognize and respect indigenous and local customs, use forced labor, and don’t respect workers and human rights.
This ensures all of their suppliers work with humane treatment.
What Other Hardware Stores Cut Wood?
If you don’t live near a Lowe’s, there are other hardware stores that provide wood cutting services.
Lowe’s main competitor, Home Depot, also cuts wood at some of their locations.
Although, rumor has it that this complimentary service might be switching to a fee-based service soon.
It’s best to call your local Home Depot and ask about their cutting policy.
Some Ace Hardwares also will cut wood for their customers.
However, this service isn’t widespread among the stores nationwide, so definitely call your local Ace before making the drive there.
Lumber yards are almost certain to cut any wood you purchased from them.
This is what they specialize in.
Also, the wood you’ll find in lumber yards is typically better quality than what you’ll find at big hardware stores.
They usually offer power saws for rent for home use too and may even deliver, depending on where you live.
It’s worth the minute to research local lumber yards for your woodworking needs.
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