[cimmanom]

For a shelf atop a steam radiator, absolutely (plastic melts; metal and glass conduct too much heat; the radiators [since they're heated by steam] get hot enough to burn flesh but not to ignite wood).

For a dowel in a curtain, not at all.

For an air conditioner prop, depends on its weather resistance properties and whether it's open at the ends (don't really want to make it a home for critters). In this case the plan was to use the aforementioned screw gun to attach the 2x4 to a piece of 2x6 that I already have -- which is a lot easier to do with wood than metal if you don't have specialized tools.

[DoreenMichele]

https://www.woodworkerssource.com/

https://www.amazon.com/lumber/b?node=13399291

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1/136-5824533-098820...

https://www.thewoodwhisperer.com/poll/poll-buying-lumber-onl...

[cimmanom]

1) doesn't sell standard sizes (already tried that one last year); also, relatively fancy and expensive woods compared to the cheap pine I was hoping to find

2) won't cut to custom size; mostly already-finished

3) ditto

4) discussion... mostly about buying in larger quantities, presumably from people who have full garage/basement/backyard carpentry facilities in which to cut it to size, etc.

[DoreenMichele]

Well, seems like you have identified an unserved niche. I wish I could make this company for you.

[cimmanom]

Yeah, I can't claim that it would be a profitable company. Just that I wish it existed!