I was totally against store-bought stuff for years too! Trying a proper fresh pizza from that Italian deli changed my whole view. Sometimes a good shop just does it better.

Ever tried using a magnet instead of grease for that? I was fixing an old radio with screws buried deep in tiny holes. Started with a magnetized driver tip but it gripped too strong and messed up the alignment. Switched to a small piece of sticky tack on the driver, which held the screw just right without slipping. Totally saved me from losing those minuscule parts inside the casing. Guess it's all about finding what works for your specific mess.

Lay each two-by-four on a flat surface and sight down the length... any curve will be obvious. Reject boards that don't sit flat without rocking. It's a quick check that saves hours later.