Do it Best isn’t your typical building supply brand. It’s the only U.S.-based, member-owned comprehensive buying cooperative for hardware, lumber, and building materials, which means independent retailers own the company that supplies them. Profits get returned to members through rebates — not siphoned off to Wall Street. With thousands of independent retailers worldwide and around 67,000 items in their catalog, they’ve built a supply network that lets local stores compete against the big boxes.
The cooperative model works because it gives independent stores volume purchasing power without forcing them into a franchise straightjacket. Members maintain independence while getting the scale they need to source quality materials at competitive prices. That matters when you’re trying to stock professional-grade products that contractors actually want.
What Do it Best Actually Makes
Here’s where it gets practical. Do it Best offers building materials contractors use every day, with specific performance data that matters in cold climates:
Winter Bar & Chain Oil SAE 30 The winter formulation operates effectively from -20°F to 40°F, prevents rust, reduces wear, and provides essential protection during prolonged cutting in freezing conditions. That temperature range covers most Montana winter work — though you’ll still be pushing it on those -30°F mornings in Great Falls.
PVC Cement (Regular Bodied Clear, 16 oz) Fast-setting P-4 formulation with specs that matter:
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Application Temperature | 40°F to 110°F |
| Standards | ASTM D-2564 |
| VOC Compliance | Meets SCAQMD 1168/316A |
| Certification | NSF-certified for potable water |
That 40°F minimum application temperature defines your working season for PVC work. Plan accordingly or keep it warm overnight.
HDG Deck Nails Hot-dipped galvanized coating for superior rust prevention and corrosion resistance. Two sizes contractors actually use:
| Size | Length | Count/lb | Shank Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8D | 2-1/2 inches | 106 | Spiral, Ring |
| 10D | 2-7/8 in | 111 | Available |
Spiral shank for better penetration and holding power. Ring shank with ridges for maximum withdrawal resistance. The hot-dipped galvanized coating matters more here than anywhere — freeze-thaw cycles will find any weakness in that zinc layer.
Blue Poly Tarps They stock two grades for the 30’x40’ size:
| Grade | Weight | Thickness | Weave | UV Protection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medium Duty | 175-grain | 4.5 mil | 10 x 8 | UV-treated |
| General Purpose | 135-grain | 3.5 mil | 8 x 8 | UV-treated |
Grommets every 3 feet on both grades. The UV treatment isn’t optional at Montana elevation — untreated poly disintegrates in one summer.
MERV 8 Furnace Filters MERV 8 rating captures 75% of large particles (dust, pollen, pet dander) with 90-day service life and synthetic pleated media. That 90-day lifespan assumes normal conditions. Cut it to 30 days during wildfire season when the valley fills with smoke.
Contractor Perspective
The 10D vinyl-coated sinker nails show what contractors actually think about Do it Best products. Professional contractors generally view them as reliable for framing, carpentry, and construction projects, primarily due to their durability and ease of driving into wood. The coated finish lubricates the wood, facilitating easier installation, and their checkered counter-sinking head allows the nails to sink flush with the surface.
Same story with the tarps. Professional contractors generally view the 30’x40’ tarp as a reliable option for outdoor covering needs, with UV resistance, robust woven fabric, and reinforced edges with grommets. Some users note that as a medium-duty tarp, it may not be suitable for highly demanding applications, with limited tear resistance compared to heavy-duty tarps.
That’s honest product positioning — medium-duty means medium-duty. Don’t expect it to survive getting dragged across a gravel pile every day.
The Bottom Line
Do it Best works because they stock what contractors need with specs that matter. The winter bar oil rated for -20°F. The PVC cement that meets both ASTM standards and low-VOC requirements. The HDG nails that won’t rust out after two freeze-thaw cycles.
The platform emphasizes quality products across various categories including lumber, flooring, roofing, molding, cabinets, wall materials, gutters, stairs, and coatings, with the inclusion of well-known brands suggesting a focus on reliable and high-quality building supplies. They’re not trying to be everything to everyone — they’re focused on giving independent retailers the products their contractor customers actually buy.
Nearly 80 years of experience (founded 1945) means they’ve figured out what sells and what sits on the shelf. For Montana contractors dealing with real winters and real jobsite conditions, that experience shows in their product selection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What temperature range can Do it Best Winter Bar & Chain Oil handle?
Do it Best Winter Bar & Chain Oil operates effectively from -20°F to 40°F, making it suitable for most Montana winter conditions. The winter formulation prevents rust and reduces wear during prolonged cutting in freezing temperatures.
Q: How many 10D vinyl-coated sinker nails come in a 1-pound Do it Best box?
Do it Best packages approximately 111 of their 10D vinyl-coated sinker nails per pound. These 2-7/8 inch nails feature an 11-gauge diameter and a checkered countersunk head that sinks flush with the wood surface.
Q: What’s the difference between Do it Best’s medium-duty and general-purpose 30’x40’ tarps?
Do it Best’s medium-duty 30’x40’ tarp uses 175-grain polyethylene with 4.5 mil thickness and a 10x8 weave pattern, while their general-purpose version uses 135-grain material at 3.5 mil with an 8x8 weave. Both include UV protection and grommets every 3 feet, but the medium-duty weighs about 23 pounds versus 19 pounds for general-purpose.
Q: What’s the minimum temperature for applying Do it Best Regular Bodied Clear PVC Cement?
Do it Best Regular Bodied Clear PVC Cement requires a minimum application temperature of 40°F (maximum 110°F). This 16-ounce fast-setting cement meets ASTM D-2564 standards and is NSF-certified for potable water systems.
Q: What shank options are available for Do it Best 8D HDG deck nails?
Do it Best offers their 8D hot-dipped galvanized deck nails in both spiral shank and ring shank configurations. The spiral shank provides better penetration and holding power, while the ring shank with ridges delivers maximum withdrawal resistance — both feature the same 2-1/2 inch length and 11-gauge diameter.
Q: What particle capture rating does Do it Best’s MERV 8 furnace filter provide?
Do it Best MERV 8 furnace filters capture 75% of large particles including dust, pollen, and pet dander with their synthetic pleated media. These filters have a 90-day service life under normal conditions, though heavy particulate loads may require more frequent replacement.
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