Replies

1. 
   forestgirl | Jan 19, 2008 08:22pm | #1

   Yep, 'tis true.  We have a speciaty paint store here on our small island which carries many of the finishing items I need, not to be found in the BBSs.  The company was originally Winslow Hardware, one of those small-town, everything-you-need hardware stores.  As has become common, they couldn't compete with the BBSs, even though the closest one was 20 miles away!  Their paint business was so strong (designer stuff, computer matching, catering to contractors and designers) that they closed out their big hardware store, rented space in a newer building, and off they went!

   They now have a satellite store in the next small town even.  A great variety of shellac products, varnishes, stains, applicators, brushes and such.  And any kind of high-quality paint you could possibly want.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 
   
2. 
   JeffHeath | Jan 19, 2008 08:56pm | #2

   Steve

   I buy my Crystallac, my preferred finish for tables, chairs, and cabinetry......from McFeeley's online.  I get my General Finishes products, and transtint dyes, from woodcraft.

   Jeff

1. 
   jeff100 | Jan 20, 2008 01:43am | #3

   I'll give a nod to Rockler. There are a couple of Rockler stores in my area, and they have a well stocked finish department (wall). I've also bought finishing supplies from Lee Valley, that is where I get my 'real' Tung oil.Jeff

3. 
   Pondfish | Jan 20, 2008 05:36pm | #4

   I get a few things from the big boxes only because I know they'll have them and will be cheaper than the small hardware or even big paint stores that I go to.  Solvents, brushes, Sealcoat, etc.

   Most of my important supplies, namely shellac flake and dyes, I get on-line.  There is nowhere local to me to find them (though I did find a place 40 miles north that distributes Rockler stuff, and has transtints).

   I have found that one local paint supply company has a better varnish selection than HD/Lowes.

   What bums me about the big boxes is despite there size, they have a really lousy selection of sanding supplies.  That's another on-line item for me.

   Now if I could just get my yo-yo boss out of the HD and away from the Minwax crap, life would be so sweet. 

   Recommending the use of "Hide Signatures" option under "My Preferences" since 2005