NaOH is getting harder and harder to find in local stores.  Meth cookers have ruined that for us.

Alternatives need to be explored. KOH, Sodium Carbonate, etc...  Most of these would probably work with A/B's but STBs really require a strong base like NaOH.

Using anything but pure NaOH (or reasonably close to pure) is not a smart move.  You could end up with something in your final product that isn't so good for you.

If you do buy lye online, please, please, please only order small amounts of it at a time.