LH

"Lew Hodgett"

15/07/2014 1:52 PM

RE: A Trip Thru Home Depot

Recently, had a couple of hours to kill before a medical appointment.

Had a couple of choices.

Sit in the medical office and try to read stale magazines which was
not going to happen.

Take a trip down to the local Home Depot and see what was new
and/or interesting.

Got a powered cart and drove to one end of the store and started
looking around.

(Yes, these days I can have a powered cart.)

2-1/2 hours later, I was back to the starting point.

I was impressed.

New items I didn't recognize at every turn.

It was quite an eye opener.

Just a guess, but 10-20,000 items in inventory would not surprise me.

During my high school years, worked in a retail hardware store, and
was pretty good at it.

Engineered a lot of solutions on Saturday morning when a prospect
would enter the store in a panic with handfuls of parts and a blank
stare on their face.

There is NO WAY I could provide that type of service in today's
market.

To expect ONE person to be knowledgeable of the total store inventory
is just not practical or more likely even possible, IMHO.

Being able to identify what part of the store a similar item might be
found
is about the best you can expect.

I'd be willing to bet that even an experienced tradesman might have
difficulty recognizing how a part might be used if it is outside
his/her
sphere of expertise.

Back to the medical office with a new respect for some of the retail
tasks that exist today and only a 20 minute wait for my appointment.

Lew


This topic has 18 replies

Sk

Swingman

in reply to "Lew Hodgett" on 15/07/2014 1:52 PM

16/07/2014 7:24 PM

On 7/16/2014 12:19 PM, [email protected] wrote:

>> There are a few handy things about the 2nd decade of the 21st century. ;)
>
> I had no idea that thing actually worked. I guess I'll have to try it out. I have been finding what I need online with them, checking inventory, then calling the store as my pattern of buying from them.
>
> I hate to go for supplies or materials. I can't stand it, and it doesn't matter what it is for or whom I am buying from. It always seems to take too long and is an inconvenient, and worse, sometimes just downright annoying. I will have to look into that app. I didn't know it existed, and surprised to hear it works so well!

Use HD Pro, but I also have the consumer version. The Pro allows you to
setup Lists with a project name and keep track of items you need and/or
purchased for a particular job/project, plus keeps track of your
purchase e-receipts.


--
eWoodShop: www.eWoodShop.com
Wood Shop: www.e-WoodShop.net
https://www.google.com/+eWoodShop
https://plus.google.com/+KarlCaillouet/posts
http://www.custommade.com/by/ewoodshop/
KarlCaillouet@ (the obvious)

Ll

Leon

in reply to "Lew Hodgett" on 15/07/2014 1:52 PM

15/07/2014 11:46 PM

"Lew Hodgett" <[email protected]> wrote:
> Lew Hodgett wrote:
>
>>> I was impressed.
>>>
>>> New items I didn't recognize at every turn.
>>>
>>> It was quite an eye opener.
>>>
>>> Just a guess, but 10-20,000 items in inventory would not surprise
>>> me.
> --------------------------------------------------------
> "Ed Pawlowski" wrote:
>
>> Surprise, it is 40,000
>> Our store inventory consists of up to 40,000 different kinds of
>> building materials, home improvement supplies, appliances and lawn
>> and garden products for all of your project needs.
> <snip>
> ----------------------------------------------------------
> All that and still couldn't find #10 AWG, molded cord sets of 15 ft
> min length.
>
> How am I supposed to rewire a table saw?
>
>
> Lew

Not likely to find molded in that length. For an oven or dryer in shorter
lengths, yes. For both my cabinet saws and band saw I had to make up my
own. Because all of my stationary equipment is on mobile bases I actually
made a 30' extension cord and put 4-5 footers on the machines. The TS, BS,
and planer use that 10-3 extension cord.

rr

in reply to "Lew Hodgett" on 15/07/2014 1:52 PM

16/07/2014 11:39 AM

> To expect ONE person to be knowledgeable of the total store inventory
> is just not practical or more likely even possible, IMHO.
>=20
> Being able to identify what part of the store a similar item might be=20
> found is about the best you can expect.
>=20
> Lew

ONE person does not know the entire store and the inventory of every depart=
ment in the store. That is why there are different people in every departm=
ent and they stay only in that department and help only people in that depa=
rtment. When you go to any of the big hardware stores they have personnel =
in each department and they have knowledge of that area and trade. People =
who know plumbing in the plumbing department, people who know electrical in=
the electrical department, people who know paint in the paint department, =
people who know kitchen cabinets in the kitchen cabinet area, etc.

EP

Ed Pawlowski

in reply to "Lew Hodgett" on 15/07/2014 1:52 PM

15/07/2014 7:22 PM

On 7/15/2014 4:52 PM, Lew Hodgett wrote:


> I was impressed.
>
> New items I didn't recognize at every turn.
>
> It was quite an eye opener.
>
> Just a guess, but 10-20,000 items in inventory would not surprise me.

Surprise, it is 40,000
Our store inventory consists of up to 40,000 different kinds of building
materials, home improvement supplies, appliances and lawn and garden
products for all of your project needs. Selections may vary from store
to store because The Home Depot stores are always stocked with
merchandise that is localized to match your area's specific market
needs. We even offer a low price guarantee to beat anyone's advertised
specials. And if for some reason you can't find it in the stores, we
offer 250,000 other products that we can special order for you.


> During my high school years, worked in a retail hardware store, and
> was pretty good at it.
>
> Engineered a lot of solutions on Saturday morning when a prospect
> would enter the store in a panic with handfuls of parts and a blank
> stare on their face.
>
> There is NO WAY I could provide that type of service in today's
> market.

Sure you could had you continued. The old solutions still exist but
there are some new ones now.



LH

"Lew Hodgett"

in reply to "Lew Hodgett" on 15/07/2014 1:52 PM

15/07/2014 2:40 PM


"Leon" wrote:
>
> I can not believe you have never been inside of a HD before today.

-------------------------------------------------------
I've been inside HD MANY times; however, always with a specific
purpose in mind and a bill of material in hand.

Never have gone "window shopping" before.

Lew

LH

"Lew Hodgett"

in reply to "Lew Hodgett" on 15/07/2014 1:52 PM

15/07/2014 5:09 PM



Lew Hodgett wrote:

>> I was impressed.
>>
>> New items I didn't recognize at every turn.
>>
>> It was quite an eye opener.
>>
>> Just a guess, but 10-20,000 items in inventory would not surprise
>> me.
--------------------------------------------------------
"Ed Pawlowski" wrote:

> Surprise, it is 40,000
> Our store inventory consists of up to 40,000 different kinds of
> building materials, home improvement supplies, appliances and lawn
> and garden products for all of your project needs.
<snip>
----------------------------------------------------------
All that and still couldn't find #10 AWG, molded cord sets of 15 ft
min length.

How am I supposed to rewire a table saw?


Lew

LH

"Lew Hodgett"

in reply to "Lew Hodgett" on 15/07/2014 1:52 PM

16/07/2014 6:14 PM


Lew Hodgett wrote:

>> All that and still couldn't find #10 AWG, molded cord sets of 15 ft
>> min length.
>>
>> How am I supposed to rewire a table saw?
----------------------------------------------------------
"Leon" wrote:
> Not likely to find molded in that length. For an oven or dryer in
> shorter
> lengths, yes.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Negatory good buddy, molded cord sets are made in 15, 25, 50,
75 and 100 ft lengths and wire sizes #10 AWG, #12 AWG,
#14 AWG and #16 AWG.

#18 AWG is beyond the scope since it is really "zip" cord.

The terminations are another matter.

If money is no object, you buy SJO cord by the foot and add the
required termination.

Expensive, but it gets the job done.

OTOH, buying a molded cord set of the required wire gauge and
length, then cutting off the female termination and wiring it directly
into the motor, will save you a bunch of money.

If the male plug on the cord set can be used, so much the better.

If not, you only have one end to replace.

If I were to set up a shop today, as many tools as possible would
be 240V/1PH/60 HZ and 10-4 locking device plug and receptacles
would be used. (L1-N-L2-G).

Having 120VAC available on the tool can prove to be quite useful.

As far as your shop is concerned, having your T/S or other tool
wired with a 15-25 ft cord would provide even greater flexibility
than you now have.

Lew

Ll

Leon

in reply to "Lew Hodgett" on 15/07/2014 1:52 PM

17/07/2014 5:47 AM

<[email protected]> wrote:
> On Wed, 16 Jul 2014 18:14:40 -0700, "Lew Hodgett"
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>
>> Lew Hodgett wrote:
>>
>>>> All that and still couldn't find #10 AWG, molded cord sets of 15 ft
>>>> min length.
>>>>
>>>> How am I supposed to rewire a table saw?
>> ----------------------------------------------------------
>> "Leon" wrote:
>>> Not likely to find molded in that length. For an oven or dryer in
>>> shorter
>>> lengths, yes.
>> -----------------------------------------------------------
>> Negatory good buddy, molded cord sets are made in 15, 25, 50,
>> 75 and 100 ft lengths and wire sizes #10 AWG, #12 AWG,
>> #14 AWG and #16 AWG.
>>
>> #18 AWG is beyond the scope since it is really "zip" cord.
>>
>> The terminations are another matter.
>>
>> If money is no object, you buy SJO cord by the foot and add the
>> required termination.
>>
>> Expensive, but it gets the job done.
>>
>> OTOH, buying a molded cord set of the required wire gauge and
>> length, then cutting off the female termination and wiring it directly
>> into the motor, will save you a bunch of money.
>>
>> If the male plug on the cord set can be used, so much the better.
>>
>> If not, you only have one end to replace.
>>
>> If I were to set up a shop today, as many tools as possible would
>> be 240V/1PH/60 HZ and 10-4 locking device plug and receptacles
>> would be used. (L1-N-L2-G).
>>
>> Having 120VAC available on the tool can prove to be quite useful.
>>
>> As far as your shop is concerned, having your T/S or other tool
>> wired with a 15-25 ft cord would provide even greater flexibility
>> than you now have.
>>
>> Lew
>>
> I'd be more likely to have male twist-lock connectors or short cords
> with twist-lock connectors. That way storing the cords and storing
> tthe machines without cords is simpler and neater than storing
> machines with long attached cords.

Precisely

Ll

Leon

in reply to "Lew Hodgett" on 15/07/2014 1:52 PM

17/07/2014 5:45 AM

"Lew Hodgett" <[email protected]> wrote:
> Lew Hodgett wrote:
>
>>> All that and still couldn't find #10 AWG, molded cord sets of 15 ft
>>> min length.
>>>
>>> How am I supposed to rewire a table saw?
> ----------------------------------------------------------
> "Leon" wrote:
>> Not likely to find molded in that length. For an oven or dryer in
>> shorter
>> lengths, yes.
> -----------------------------------------------------------
> Negatory good buddy, molded cord sets are made in 15, 25, 50,
> 75 and 100 ft lengths and wire sizes #10 AWG, #12 AWG,
> #14 AWG and #16 AWG.

But not for a specific hook up, male on one end and nothing on the other,
as you implied by your specific need.


>
> #18 AWG is beyond the scope since it is really "zip" cord.
>
> The terminations are another matter.

Hense my suggestion.

>
> If money is no object, you buy SJO cord by the foot and add the
> required termination.

And if that fits the requirement or is all that is available.



>
> Expensive, but it gets the job done.
>
> OTOH, buying a molded cord set of the required wire gauge and
> length, then cutting off the female termination and wiring it directly
> into the motor, will save you a bunch of money.
>
> If the male plug on the cord set can be used, so much the better.


>
> If not, you only have one end to replace.
>
> If I were to set up a shop today, as many tools as possible would
> be 240V/1PH/60 HZ and 10-4 locking device plug and receptacles
> would be used. (L1-N-L2-G).
>
> Having 120VAC available on the tool can prove to be quite useful.
>
> As far as your shop is concerned, having your T/S or other tool
> wired with a 15-25 ft cord would provide even greater flexibility
> than you now have.
>


Perhaps but I would have to deal with 90' of total 10-3 cord. Now I only
have one 30' piece and at a greater cost savings. That has been working
well for 15 years with no wish for nothing better.






> Lew

Sk

Swingman

in reply to "Lew Hodgett" on 15/07/2014 1:52 PM

15/07/2014 6:16 PM

On 7/15/2014 3:52 PM, Lew Hodgett wrote:

> I'd be willing to bet that even an experienced tradesman might have
> difficulty recognizing how a part might be used if it is outside
> his/her sphere of expertise.

And so would a brain surgeon. ;)


--
eWoodShop: www.eWoodShop.com
Wood Shop: www.e-WoodShop.net
https://www.google.com/+eWoodShop
https://plus.google.com/+KarlCaillouet/posts
http://www.custommade.com/by/ewoodshop/
KarlCaillouet@ (the obvious)

nn

in reply to "Lew Hodgett" on 15/07/2014 1:52 PM

16/07/2014 10:19 AM

On Tuesday, July 15, 2014 6:29:10 PM UTC-5, Swingman wrote:
=20
> Ayeup ... that's where my smartphone, and Home Depot's phone app fills=20
>=20
> the bill.
>=20
>=20
>=20
> Tells me much more than most aisle clerks could, from price of an=20
>=20
> unmarked item, to SKU, if it is in stock, by location and aisle/bin#,=20
>=20
> and if not in stock, the closest HD where it is. I often don't bother to=
=20
>=20
> get out of the truck until I know exactly where what I came for is locate=
d.
>=20
>=20
>=20
> I'd say it is about 98% effective with the right information when called=
=20
>=20
> upon.
>=20
> There are a few handy things about the 2nd decade of the 21st century. ;)

I had no idea that thing actually worked. I guess I'll have to try it out.=
I have been finding what I need online with them, checking inventory, the=
n calling the store as my pattern of buying from them.

I hate to go for supplies or materials. I can't stand it, and it doesn't m=
atter what it is for or whom I am buying from. It always seems to take too =
long and is an inconvenient, and worse, sometimes just downright annoying. =
I will have to look into that app. I didn't know it existed, and surprise=
d to hear it works so well!

Robert

Sk

Swingman

in reply to "Lew Hodgett" on 15/07/2014 1:52 PM

15/07/2014 6:29 PM

On 7/15/2014 3:52 PM, Lew Hodgett wrote:

> To expect ONE person to be knowledgeable of the total store inventory
> is just not practical or more likely even possible, IMHO.

Ayeup ... that's where my smartphone, and Home Depot's phone app fills
the bill.

Tells me much more than most aisle clerks could, from price of an
unmarked item, to SKU, if it is in stock, by location and aisle/bin#,
and if not in stock, the closest HD where it is. I often don't bother to
get out of the truck until I know exactly where what I came for is located.

I'd say it is about 98% effective with the right information when called
upon.

There are a few handy things about the 2nd decade of the 21st century. ;)

--
eWoodShop: www.eWoodShop.com
Wood Shop: www.e-WoodShop.net
https://www.google.com/+eWoodShop
https://plus.google.com/+KarlCaillouet/posts
http://www.custommade.com/by/ewoodshop/
KarlCaillouet@ (the obvious)

c

in reply to "Lew Hodgett" on 15/07/2014 1:52 PM

16/07/2014 9:26 PM

On Wed, 16 Jul 2014 18:14:40 -0700, "Lew Hodgett"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>
>Lew Hodgett wrote:
>
>>> All that and still couldn't find #10 AWG, molded cord sets of 15 ft
>>> min length.
>>>
>>> How am I supposed to rewire a table saw?
>----------------------------------------------------------
>"Leon" wrote:
>> Not likely to find molded in that length. For an oven or dryer in
>> shorter
>> lengths, yes.
>-----------------------------------------------------------
>Negatory good buddy, molded cord sets are made in 15, 25, 50,
>75 and 100 ft lengths and wire sizes #10 AWG, #12 AWG,
>#14 AWG and #16 AWG.
>
>#18 AWG is beyond the scope since it is really "zip" cord.
>
>The terminations are another matter.
>
>If money is no object, you buy SJO cord by the foot and add the
>required termination.
>
>Expensive, but it gets the job done.
>
>OTOH, buying a molded cord set of the required wire gauge and
>length, then cutting off the female termination and wiring it directly
>into the motor, will save you a bunch of money.
>
>If the male plug on the cord set can be used, so much the better.
>
>If not, you only have one end to replace.
>
>If I were to set up a shop today, as many tools as possible would
>be 240V/1PH/60 HZ and 10-4 locking device plug and receptacles
>would be used. (L1-N-L2-G).
>
>Having 120VAC available on the tool can prove to be quite useful.
>
>As far as your shop is concerned, having your T/S or other tool
>wired with a 15-25 ft cord would provide even greater flexibility
>than you now have.
>
>Lew
>
I'd be more likely to have male twist-lock connectors or short cords
with twist-lock connectors. That way storing the cords and storing
tthe machines without cords is simpler and neater than storing
machines with long attached cords.

Ll

Leon

in reply to "Lew Hodgett" on 15/07/2014 1:52 PM

15/07/2014 4:32 PM

On 7/15/2014 3:52 PM, Lew Hodgett wrote:
> Recently, had a couple of hours to kill before a medical appointment.
>
> Had a couple of choices.
>
> Sit in the medical office and try to read stale magazines which was
> not going to happen.
>
> Take a trip down to the local Home Depot and see what was new
> and/or interesting.
>
> Got a powered cart and drove to one end of the store and started
> looking around.
>
> (Yes, these days I can have a powered cart.)
>
> 2-1/2 hours later, I was back to the starting point.
>
> I was impressed.
>
> New items I didn't recognize at every turn.
>
> It was quite an eye opener.
>
> Just a guess, but 10-20,000 items in inventory would not surprise me.
>
> During my high school years, worked in a retail hardware store, and
> was pretty good at it.
>
> Engineered a lot of solutions on Saturday morning when a prospect
> would enter the store in a panic with handfuls of parts and a blank
> stare on their face.
>
> There is NO WAY I could provide that type of service in today's
> market.
>
> To expect ONE person to be knowledgeable of the total store inventory
> is just not practical or more likely even possible, IMHO.
>
> Being able to identify what part of the store a similar item might be
> found
> is about the best you can expect.
>
> I'd be willing to bet that even an experienced tradesman might have
> difficulty recognizing how a part might be used if it is outside
> his/her
> sphere of expertise.
>
> Back to the medical office with a new respect for some of the retail
> tasks that exist today and only a 20 minute wait for my appointment.
>
> Lew
>
>

I can not believe you have never been inside of a HD before today.


dd

"dadiOH"

in reply to "Lew Hodgett" on 15/07/2014 1:52 PM

16/07/2014 7:20 AM

"Lew Hodgett" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]
> Recently, had a couple of hours to kill before a medical appointment.
>
> Had a couple of choices.
>
> Sit in the medical office and try to read stale magazines which was
> not going to happen.
>
> Take a trip down to the local Home Depot and see what was new
> and/or interesting.
>
> Got a powered cart and drove to one end of the store and started
> looking around.
>
> (Yes, these days I can have a powered cart.)
>
> 2-1/2 hours later, I was back to the starting point.

Count your blessings. I use a cart too and by the time I find what I
want - usually less than 1/2 hour - the battery is so low that I'm lucky
to make it to the door :)


--

dadiOH
____________________________

Winters getting colder? Tired of the rat race?
Taxes out of hand? Maybe just ready for a change?
Check it out... http://www.floridaloghouse.net

BL

"Bob La Londe"

in reply to "Lew Hodgett" on 15/07/2014 1:52 PM

16/07/2014 10:27 AM

<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Tue, 15 Jul 2014 17:09:02 -0700, "Lew Hodgett"
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>
>>
>>Lew Hodgett wrote:
>>
>>>> I was impressed.
>>>>
>>>> New items I didn't recognize at every turn.
>>>>
>>>> It was quite an eye opener.
>>>>
>>>> Just a guess, but 10-20,000 items in inventory would not surprise
>>>> me.
>>--------------------------------------------------------
>>"Ed Pawlowski" wrote:
>>
>>> Surprise, it is 40,000
>>> Our store inventory consists of up to 40,000 different kinds of
>>> building materials, home improvement supplies, appliances and lawn
>>> and garden products for all of your project needs.
>><snip>
>>----------------------------------------------------------
>>All that and still couldn't find #10 AWG, molded cord sets of 15 ft
>>min length.

Well, I've been a contractor for more than a few weeks now, and I have more
than a few old extension cords in various states hanging on hooks in the
shop. Some of them are 10 gage for heavy tools in the field. They make
dandy repair cords for stuff. In fact I never throw away a tool without
salvaging brushes, switches, and of course the power cord.










> Not surprising.
>
>>How am I supposed to rewire a table saw?
>
> Make it yourself. SJ plus the appropriate connector and five minutes
> work.

Mj

"Morgans"

in reply to "Lew Hodgett" on 15/07/2014 1:52 PM

16/07/2014 6:42 PM



"Leon" <[email protected]> wrote

> Not likely to find molded in that length. For an oven or dryer in shorter
> lengths, yes. For both my cabinet saws and band saw I had to make up my
> own. Because all of my stationary equipment is on mobile bases I actually
> made a 30' extension cord and put 4-5 footers on the machines. The TS,
> BS,
> and planer use that 10-3 extension cord.

+1
I use the same strategy. I have a couple different lengths of heavy 220
drop cords, so I can use more than one machine out from its normal place at
one time.
--
Jim in NC


---
This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active.
http://www.avast.com

k

in reply to "Lew Hodgett" on 15/07/2014 1:52 PM

15/07/2014 9:30 PM

On Tue, 15 Jul 2014 17:09:02 -0700, "Lew Hodgett"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>
>
>Lew Hodgett wrote:
>
>>> I was impressed.
>>>
>>> New items I didn't recognize at every turn.
>>>
>>> It was quite an eye opener.
>>>
>>> Just a guess, but 10-20,000 items in inventory would not surprise
>>> me.
>--------------------------------------------------------
>"Ed Pawlowski" wrote:
>
>> Surprise, it is 40,000
>> Our store inventory consists of up to 40,000 different kinds of
>> building materials, home improvement supplies, appliances and lawn
>> and garden products for all of your project needs.
><snip>
>----------------------------------------------------------
>All that and still couldn't find #10 AWG, molded cord sets of 15 ft
>min length.

Not surprising.

>How am I supposed to rewire a table saw?

Make it yourself. SJ plus the appropriate connector and five minutes
work.


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