Home Depot (Rant)

[Red Squirrel]

I went to Lowe’s for pipe leak and the guy showed me a tape that was supposed to work. I thought this guy (young) was dum for the suggestion but I was desperate so I bought it. It was the best advice I got. It was cheap and it worked.

I would call something like that a temporary measure though... good to have it around the house in case you get a leak and the store is closed but I would take the time to fix it properly.

 

[Mayne]

I was offered a job at home depot last week. I went into home depot to get a key cut for my apartment. After 15 minutes finding the dude to cut m key, he showed up and did it in like 10 seconds...pretty awesome machine btw. he hands me the key but i have to put it into a bag first that they supply. After watching the key guy fumble around for 10 minutes trying to get an opening for my bad..i grab it from him and open the plastic bag and deposit the key. A store manager saw this and offered me a job.

I still might take the offer.

 

[eng2d2]

At home depot there was this guy who look smart and spoke really well. I had him cut a wood and told him the wood length should be 5 feet 8 inches when he is done. He repeated to me 5'8 inches and said I got this. He took his measuring tape out and even measured it. I picked a 6' foot 2X4 . This guy was about mid to early 30 and was very much in charge of the area. He then cut 8 inches off and gave it to me. I told him that this is wrong and the wood is short. He blamed it on me and even told me that I shouldn't get another replacement because I gave the wrong instruction . I did not make a big deal out of it because its not so critical for my project but I was just left scratching my head afterwards.

Another story
I went to another home depot that was close to my house and always buy wood and have it cut with no problem. One day I had a new guy cut the wood 4 inches. He was lining it up in the blade area. I interrupted him and told him "wouldn't it be better if you measure it with a tape measure and cut it". He said no because he has to guage it using the blade. Strange answer but I did not say anything else.--after he was done he only cut 2 inches off the bottom.

 

[eng2d2]

I would call something like that a temporary measure though... good to have it around the house in case you get a leak and the store is closed but I would take the time to fix it properly.

I agree but its in the garden close to the spigot. A weld will do it but I don't know how to weld. I tried many times. I know how to weld on PCB but could not do it on pipes and no one wants to come out and weld a pinhole. Should be a $20 fix but wants to charge $100

 

[Scarpozzi]

I agree but its in the garden close to the spigot. A weld will do it but I don't know how to weld. I tried many times. I know how to weld on PCB but could not do it on pipes and no one wants to come out and weld a pinhole. Should be a $20 fix but wants to charge $100

I don't believe you weld copper pipes with pinholes.... You should replace the whole pipe section. When pinholes develop, that usually means the pipe has pits and the solder joints may be failing due to age.

To solder copper, you just dry the pipes and sweat them (heat them) with a propane torch and let the heat suck the solder in between the joints after sanding, cleaning, and applying flux to the pipe...

 

[Red Squirrel]

Yeah if the pinhole is at the pipe I'd replace that whole section, if it's at a joint it might just be the thing of remelting the solder that's there, and then adding a bit more. With water off of course. Ideally you want to flush the pipes with air.

You can also cheat and replace the section with pex and use shark bites, they work for copper too! I don't really like using them and they are expensive but I can't say I've ever seen them fail either...

I oddly enjoy copper soldering, but I rarely have to do it now days since anything new I add is pex. I still have copper but if I'm adding anything new chances are I'll just branch off a pex line and crimp.

 

[snoopy7548]

I was offered a job at home depot last week. I went into home depot to get a key cut for my apartment. After 15 minutes finding the dude to cut m key, he showed up and did it in like 10 seconds...pretty awesome machine btw. he hands me the key but i have to put it into a bag first that they supply. After watching the key guy fumble around for 10 minutes trying to get an opening for my bad..i grab it from him and open the plastic bag and deposit the key. A store manager saw this and offered me a job.

I still might take the offer.

You should take it!




Who knows, one day you might make it to corporate!

 

[eng2d2]

I don't believe you weld copper pipes with pinholes.... You should replace the whole pipe section. When pinholes develop, that usually means the pipe has pits and the solder joints may be failing due to age.

To solder copper, you just dry the pipes and sweat them (heat them) with a propane torch and let the heat suck the solder in between the joints after sanding, cleaning, and applying flux to the pipe...

Wish I could practice doing this. I think it requires that. Doesn't seem hard but I tried 4 times using propane bottle torch and the solder just ran off the pipes. I did flame above and underneath llike they told me to. LOL

 

[bbhaag]

I don't mind HD but I usually end up at Menards because they are closer. As far as the HD vs. Lowes debate goes in my area HD is far better. Judging by this thread it seems to be a toss up depending on the area you're in.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Wish I could practice doing this. I think it requires that. Doesn't seem hard but I tried 4 times using propane bottle torch and the solder just ran off the pipes. I did flame above and underneath llike they told me to. LOL

The most common issue is that if there is ANY water in the pipes, they won't heat up enough. Once the water in the line starts to heat up, it basically goes toward the water in either water form or water vapor and then it makes it impossible to get the pipe hot enough or get a good joint. You also need flux on the pipe and fitting. It's definitely an art as much as a science. I upgraded all my water lines to 3/4" from 1/2" pipes about 3 years ago....I set my subfloor and insulation on fire a few times struggling with that torch in some spots.

They always say you could stuff bread in the water line to absorb the water/keep it from the fitting you're working on. In my system, my tankless water heater is the lowest point on the line. I just opened the drain on it and turned on a spigot upstairs after turning the water off.....then went to the end of the line with an air compressor and a threaded connector and flushed the lines with 60psi of air to blast the water out. Was a lot of work up front, but allowed me to work when I had to. I despise doing that kind of work.

 

[kn51]

The bread trick works. Just make sure it is cheap white bread.

 

[Midwayman]

They all suck. I just end up at the closest. Menards is useful if you're looking for more general house stuff than HD is though.

 

[bigi]

I've been shopping a lot in three nearby HDs. It ain't that bad. Usually, there is somebody to ask for help.
Now, I use HD app on my phone. It has all items and their locations in the store you are at. I do use their web ordering as well.

I am a Makita 18V and EGO 56V user. Both are excellent and HD seems to carry both brands exclusively.
Occasionally, I go to Menards as well.
Have not gone to Lowes for a long time.

Lastly, HD often has stuff that even amz does not have. For instance, lately I had to re-screen my entire patio. HD had rolls of screen and special spline online. I was able to return one roll of screen to the store.

 

[eng2d2]

The most common issue is that if there is ANY water in the pipes, they won't heat up enough. Once the water in the line starts to heat up, it basically goes toward the water in either water form or water vapor and then it makes it impossible to get the pipe hot enough or get a good joint. You also need flux on the pipe and fitting. It's definitely an art as much as a science. I upgraded all my water lines to 3/4" from 1/2" pipes about 3 years ago....I set my subfloor and insulation on fire a few times struggling with that torch in some spots.

They always say you could stuff bread in the water line to absorb the water/keep it from the fitting you're working on. In my system, my tankless water heater is the lowest point on the line. I just opened the drain on it and turned on a spigot upstairs after turning the water off.....then went to the end of the line with an air compressor and a threaded connector and flushed the lines with 60psi of air to blast the water out. Was a lot of work up front, but allowed me to work when I had to. I despise doing that kind of work.

I might end up with a toasted bread.

 

[herm0016]

around here, i usually go to depot because its closer and i almost always find what I need. If i need a bolt or something i go to murdochs, and if they don't have it i go to ace. I really like ACE but I can buy a handfull of bolts by the pound at murdochs for the price of 1 bolt at ACE. ACE has the clips for my tractor's 3 point implements for 2.99 and murdochs for .79 for example.

 

[Scarpozzi]

around here, i usually go to depot because its closer and i almost always find what I need. If i need a bolt or something i go to murdochs, and if they don't have it i go to ace. I really like ACE but I can buy a handfull of bolts by the pound at murdochs for the price of 1 bolt at ACE. ACE has the clips for my tractor's 3 point implements for 2.99 and murdochs for .79 for example.

Ace is like Truevalue.... they're franchised hardware stores. They're pretty cool because they have a good mix of what you need, but typically don't have the square footage to have selection....and end up charging more for some things because they have to. I totally understand and am glad these stores exist.

My original post was really fueled by Home Depot seemingly not carrying more inventory of specialty blades because what they did carry was over 100% the price of what it should be. I literally left the store and drove a little over a mile to save $10. While I was in the tool section of HD, I wanted to ask someone if there were blades somewhere I was missing, but the section wasn't staffed...I went to Lowe's and was immediately approached and asked if I needed help finding what I was looking for....which I already had located the blade. I've had bad experiences in a lot of stores....it just seems to be consistent between the two in my town. I already dinged HD by taking my business down the road... it's just frustrating because I wanted to spend money at the store closer to my house.

 

[eng2d2]

Ace is like Truevalue.... they're franchised hardware stores. They're pretty cool because they have a good mix of what you need, but typically don't have the square footage to have selection....and end up charging more for some things because they have to. I totally understand and am glad these stores exist.

My original post was really fueled by Home Depot seemingly not carrying more inventory of specialty blades because what they did carry was over 100% the price of what it should be. I literally left the store and drove a little over a mile to save $10. While I was in the tool section of HD, I wanted to ask someone if there were blades somewhere I was missing, but the section wasn't staffed...I went to Lowe's and was immediately approached and asked if I needed help finding what I was looking for....which I already had located the blade. I've had bad experiences in a lot of stores....it just seems to be consistent between the two in my town. I already dinged HD by taking my business down the road... it's just frustrating because I wanted to spend money at the store closer to my house.

I thought lowes and home depot sort of but not always have their own brand. Lowes is to kobalt and home depot is husky. In your case "blade" they might do this too. I am sure that if they both carry the same brand lowes might just go under fast.

 

[herm0016]

I thought lowes and home depot sort of but not always have their own brand. Lowes is to kobalt and home depot is husky. In your case "blade" they might do this too. I am sure that if they both carry the same brand lowes might just go under fast.

only place to get ridgid stuff is HD, and Lowes is changing to almost all craftsman products now.

 

[waffleironhead]

The issue of customer service aside, the dewalt blade you drove over to get is inferior to the Rigid at HD. HD's avanti pro line is on par with Dewalt's offerings and in the same price point. They probably come out of the same factory in china.

 

[eng2d2]

The issue of customer service aside, the dewalt blade you drove over to get is inferior to the Rigid at HD. HD's avanti pro line is on par with Dewalt's offerings and in the same price point. They probably come out of the same factory in china.

i had no idea that ridigid is better than dewalt.

 

[Mayne]

You should take it!

View attachment 9509


Who knows, one day you might make it to corporate!

View attachment 9510

just need me in the back smoking a cigarette, hiding from work.

 

[Scarpozzi]

The issue of customer service aside, the dewalt blade you drove over to get is inferior to the Rigid at HD. HD's avanti pro line is on par with Dewalt's offerings and in the same price point. They probably come out of the same factory in china.

Yet I'm cutting tile and just needed a diamond blade that's going to wear and be full. I'd rather buy cheaper ones. Avanti was priced higher and they didn't have any solid blades...I think they were all masonary only.

 

[FeuerFrei]

I had some friendly exchanges initiated by Home Depot employees today. One guy took it on himself to check the back room for any more fans in stock, and asked a passing coworker as well. The store was down to two models of fans to choose from, due to our heatwave. As I thanked the employee and walked away he thanked me for stopping in.

Walmart still had a dozen or more models in stock, so I got one there.
Ordinarily I'd order online (Amazon), but I need it NOW.

 

[13Gigatons]

I had some friendly exchanges initiated by Home Depot employees today. One guy took it on himself to check the back room for any more fans in stock, and asked a passing coworker as well. The store was down to two models of fans to choose from, due to our heatwave. As I thanked the employee and walked away he thanked me for stopping in.

Walmart still had a dozen or more models in stock, so I got one there.
Ordinarily I'd order online (Amazon), but I need it NOW.

Yes. My last trip too HD was met with friendly employee's who lead me right to the product area. Makes me wonder if they are hurting for sales.

I usually go to Lowes, HD, ACE, Menards, local hardware store, etc depending on what I need. Here they are all located near each other. I always check stock and price before I go...hate a wasted trip.

 

[dandruff]

Menards >>> HD >> Lowes