David Steele’s plans say you can get everything you need at a “Home Center” store. The decision to add certain upgrades from the start included parts I couldn’t get at the local Home Depot/Home Hardware/Canadian Tire, such as the specialty Acme threaded rod.
With no McMaster-Carr or similar place in Canada I had to do some running around to find all my parts. It turns out that the local branch of Fastenal could get me almost everything I needed, at much lower cost than the regular retail outlets. I was even able to order my Acme threaded rod through them.
The branch arranged for the purchase and importation straight from a manufacturer in Ohio.
I am not sure what their markup was, but after comparing prices I think it was quite marginal and saved me the hassle of shipping it from the US. A week later I picked up a couple of boxes at the branch and I was set in terms of hardware.
For the frame I decided to use red oak rather than pine studs. Unfortunately I do not have the facilities to finish rough lumber so I had to purchase sanded boards which are very expensive. The price varied from $1.50/ft for 1×2 all the way up to $15/ft for 2×6 lumber.
With a lot of money spent on parts and wood I don’t want to put my crappy Black and Decker hand drill to it so I went and bought a proper 10″ drill press. While looking at different models and prices I found the local Midland Tools to offer both better prices and service.