If you're tired of digging through warped piles at the big box stores, you need to check out Roberts Plywood in Deer Park. My visit there opened up a completely different world for me. The warehouse is massive—77,000 square feet—and the inventory is incredible. I could spend all day there just checking out the different types of wood they have in stock. They stock things I just can’t find elsewhere, from high-grade marine ply to a huge range of exotic hardwoods.

The staff is friendly and actually knows the trade, too. Although their business is geared towards businesses, they had no problem dealing with me as a hobbyist.  Just a heads-up on the logistics: they are strictly Monday through Friday, and the showroom hours can be short, but for this level of selection and fair pricing, I’ll make the schedule work.