If I can complete a "quick little job" in less than 5 trips to the store for exchanges,
additions or deletions, I'm very proud and happy !!
additions or deletions, I'm very proud and happy !!
How Many Trips to Home Store for Simple Project
- Thread starter VaTom
- Start date
Multiple trips are the norm for me.
And you are right about Blowes and Home Creapo. They are NOT hardware stores. They are HOME IMPROVEMENT stores. In other words, if it isn't something a woman would buy to beautify the home, they probably don't sell it, and definitely don't carry it in the store.
Ace is the closest thing to a real hardware store in my area. Over in Seattle area there is a small, family owned chain of half a dozen real hardware stores called McClendons. Picture an Ace hardware only about 4-6 times bigger with 4-6 times the quantity and variety of inventory.
We had one about a mile from my house in Kent. Man do I ever miss that store...
And you are right about Blowes and Home Creapo. They are NOT hardware stores. They are HOME IMPROVEMENT stores. In other words, if it isn't something a woman would buy to beautify the home, they probably don't sell it, and definitely don't carry it in the store.
Ace is the closest thing to a real hardware store in my area. Over in Seattle area there is a small, family owned chain of half a dozen real hardware stores called McClendons. Picture an Ace hardware only about 4-6 times bigger with 4-6 times the quantity and variety of inventory.
We had one about a mile from my house in Kent. Man do I ever miss that store...
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The last project I tackled was replacing a single 8 foot x 6 foot high section of wooden picket fence. Only took one trip to Lowes, but it was a small project and only took about 15 minutes to complete once I got home with the ready built section of fencing. Unscrew the old one and hang the new one on the same brackets on the same steel posts. I even reused the lag bolts from the old one.
The one before that was replacing an air handler fan motor. That one took several trips to several different stores. After disassembly I discovered that I couldn't remove the squirrel cage from the motor shaft without a specialized puller. That necessitated trips to not one, not two, but three hardware and tool stores - none of which had the tool I needed. Finally got wise and googled it. Found the at the local Grainger. Ordered online and picked it up. Then a quick trip to Consolidated Electrical Supply for a new motor and capacitor. After that the job was fairly easy. I probably spent nearly as much as it would have cost to have it done professionally, but I enjoy figuring out how to do things I've never done before. There's a sense of accomplishment gained from doing something yourself.
The one before that was replacing an air handler fan motor. That one took several trips to several different stores. After disassembly I discovered that I couldn't remove the squirrel cage from the motor shaft without a specialized puller. That necessitated trips to not one, not two, but three hardware and tool stores - none of which had the tool I needed. Finally got wise and googled it. Found the at the local Grainger. Ordered online and picked it up. Then a quick trip to Consolidated Electrical Supply for a new motor and capacitor. After that the job was fairly easy. I probably spent nearly as much as it would have cost to have it done professionally, but I enjoy figuring out how to do things I've never done before. There's a sense of accomplishment gained from doing something yourself.
Ivan the Butcher
Member
Ivan the Butcher
Member
If you can get a cut off wheel in to the motor shaft to cut it off the fan propeller or squirrel cage, drill a hole in the shaft and work up in size to about 3/8 or 7/16", The shaft will usually drive right out!
Ivan
Ivan
RobertJ.
Member
I'm thankful for this thread. Now I know I'm not the only one!
Among other things, we manage the apartment complex we live in. I do most of the light maintenance, and it seems like nothing is ever as easy as I imagine it will be. Home Depot is 15 minutes away, and Ace is about 2 minutes away. I go to HD when I need a load of stuff.
Among other things, we manage the apartment complex we live in. I do most of the light maintenance, and it seems like nothing is ever as easy as I imagine it will be. Home Depot is 15 minutes away, and Ace is about 2 minutes away. I go to HD when I need a load of stuff.
"Light maintenance" for me is searching the iPhone contacts for "Plummer", "electrician," "carpenter," or "handyman."
I think I generally average about three trips. More if the project is much more complicated than changing a light bulb.
mckenney99
Member
Timely topic. I was helping a friend to plumb in a new compressor in his barn and we both brought this topic up. We came to the consensus that if the work involves ANY type of plumbing, it's going to require AT LEAST 3 trips to the hardware store. Electrical work will require 1 initial trip to get what you need and then at least 1 additional trip to get or replace something that you lost/screwed up.
Jon651
Member
I have found if you have a question about an repair problem, try to find a salesman with gray hair. They have been around, have experience and maybe are even a retired carpenter, plumber or electrician. Asking a youngster is just wasting your time because they know just enough to show you where on the shelf is what you are asking about but ask them to tell you what you need to solve your problem or how to do the job, is just a waste of time because they don't have a clue.
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Good advice. However, most of us around here ARE the gray-haired guy.
Too many to count! My wife was sure I had a girlfriend at every store.
