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General Category => The Coffee Shop => Topic started by: Candi_D on December 07, 2012, 01:14:54 pm
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I have to share this with someone. I still can't believe the day I'm having.
Probably no way to make this long story short but I'll do my best ;)
I purchased a Craftsman scroll saw on Sears.com a few days ago, then before ever opening it I decided to start with a Dewalt from Amazon instead.
So I get the fairly large heavy box loaded into my car today, along with my 2 young daughters, and head out in the rain to the nearest Sears.
I get the box inside and after a few mins of fumbling with the kiosk realize I have to talk to someone. A guy comes out, tells me that I'll need to go to the register for an internet return and takes my package... I think "hmm shouldn't he have given me something, maybe they call to confirm" so I go to the return desk (in the tool section mind you) and am told "you should have gotten a slip" so the nice enough but clearly seasonal employee wanders over and gets the info he needs from the man who took my box. Fifteen mins later, kids are fussy... the seasonal employee still can't process my return... he's called Sears 800# 2 times and can't even seem to hear them over the phone and has hung up both times. He asks two other employees who are working with him, still nothing. He says he can give me a gift card, um... no I paid $100 on my visa and I want a refund on it. I say I want a manager, he says "let me try something else" fumbles for another 5 mins. We're past 1/2 an hour now and my 2yr old has about had it. Finally someone else comes over. He tries on 2 registers and nothing, then says he has to take my card & ID to a back room to use a different computer... not happy about this but wanting to leave I say fine. 10 mins later he's back. No dice. I wasn't issued a return code when I bought it online. He calls the 800# again... 10 mins later and I'm told I have to take the saw back home, that UPS will come pick it up and then a refund will be processed. I spend at least an hour and walk back out into the rain with the saw.
Then I go to Home Depot since I need some wood to make my tool bench.
me to very nice but clearly stupid gentleman #1: "I'd like a piece of plywood, I'll need it cut to 2 1/2' x 4 1/2' "
He spends a long time finding me the nicest piece, I'm happy.
We walk over to gentleman #2, quiet and all business just how I like people who are helping me since I'd rather not chit chat with them...
Guy #1 says "what size again?"
me: "2 1/2 feet x 4 1/2 feet"
guy #2 nods and starts getting my plywood ready to cut.
Guy #2 "that was 2 1/2 x 4 1/2 right?"
me: "yes thank you"
guy #1 now looking worried "did you want two and a half feet or two feet six inches?"
I look at him confused... ok I'm not a woodworking pro or anything but last time I checked 6" was 1/2 a foot no matter what you're talking about so I say to him... "um... 2 1/2 feet IS 2ft 6in"
he says "no they are different"
I continue to look at him like he's crazy and say "how?"
he brings over a tape measure and shows me 2'6" and then points to 2' and 1/2 an inch. "See that's 2 1/2 feet and that is 2'6" "
I look at him like I don't even know what to say... I want to scream "no you idiot two and a half feet IS two feet six inches and 2' 1/2" is called two feet and half an inch. Instead I decide that I might blow if I say anything so I just say "2'6" please"
(guy cutting wood had already finished, cutting it to 2 1/2' x 4 1/2' while this conversation was going on... at least he wasn't an idiot.)
And that my friends, anyone who actually read all this... is why I'm about to have a cup of coffee which consists of far more Kahlua then coffee.
Good news is when I got home my Dewalt was waiting for me on the porch (I <3 you Amazon for your fast shipping). So I'm off to have that coffee now and then tonight will unbox my new saw :D I will also only buy online now for wood & tools.
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LOL, Candi! I have to laugh when reading it. Just think - he has to find his way home after work. You think he will be able?
Merry Christmas to you and enjoy your saw.
Remember - "Measure twice and cut once." Two and a half feet isn't always 2.5 feet!
Sheila ;)
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Shelia Aren;t you glad you do not have to be on the same road while he is trying to get home?
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Duh! When I went to school (in the olden days) they taught math, guess they don't anymore. I think I would be needing two cups of Kahlua, forget the coffee! Enjoy your new DeWalt.
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Relax with a double dose of Kahlua, then enjoy the pleasure of unpacking your new saw.
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LOL.like the saying "you just can't fix STUPID" :D
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I wonder if that fellow ever tried to build anything from a set of plans.
Enjoy your new saw, and prepare to become addicted.
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OK Candi, now that you have calmed down, It's time to get that saw out of the box! Before you mount the cast iron table to the saw, sand it down with some 220 grit sandpaper and a little bit of WD40 as a lubricant. Sand it until it is nice and smooth. Wipe it down with mineral spirits to clean off the dust and WD40. Apply a coat of past wax, then buff it down. Make sure you don't use a wax that contains silicone like car wax because it will interfere with some finishes. Most folks use Johnson's past wax.
Before you tighten the screws that mount the table, go ahead and mount a blade. You want to center the hole in the table with the blade, then tighten the screws.
There is a guard in front of the lower blade clamp. If you have the right bit, remove this guard as it just gets in the way when changing blades. One last thing, do not mount the hold down. This is a useless piece of junk. It will just get in your way when changing blades and when scrolling.
Now, Get to cutting, and report back here with all your questions!
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Glad you all enjoyed my day so far LOL I knew some of you could probably relate :)
dgman, thank you for all the tips... I really really appreciate it. I'll get the guard that is there off and buy some of the wax this weekend!
I'm so excited! Of course right now it's sitting in the middle of my living room floor... I suppose I first better test out my new miter saw and get my work table built so I can organize everything.
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Better you than me. I would have had to punch the guy in the head. And I don't think I can take my computer to jail with me. Have fun with that big Yellow Machine.
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Thank You, New Scroller Candi!
I know it wasn't a fun trip but you gave me a much needed belly laugh.
I wish I had been there with you to play "Grampa" and keep the kids occupied.
But I would have likely caused a scene in Sears! I hate that place!!!!!!
New miter saw and scroll saw! Santa must have gotten an early start.
HUGZZZZZZZZZZZ
~~~GB~~~
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I'm with Graybeard on that one.
If your thinking Sears go to Harbor Freight
Same quality less money
Just my say
JP
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Hey Candi, if you can stand another tip, renew that Johnson's paste wax about once a month. It will keep your table smooth (as well as protected) and your wood will slide easily. I had been scrolling for several months before reading the wax tip here. I gave it a try and my "skill" immediately improved by an order of magnitude! That tip is definitely on my top 10 list.
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I may have kept my cool in Sears but I would definately lost it with the idiot that does not know his measurements. Just think some poor lady as to own up to being his mother. Lol
Enjoy your Dewalt like I know you will and you will become addicted in no time just like the rest of us.
Marg
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Hi Candi, Don't be too hard on that boy in the Home Depot store. The reason for this is: His mother was a simple woman, his father was a simple man and as a result you were dealing with a SIMPLETON!!!! :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o.
Rob Roy.
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@Candi Be sure to keep track of the thumb screw that comes with the hold down. I can be used as a replacement for the blade holder thumb screws
@rob do you think his name was Simon?
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In all probability his name could have been SIMON, or possibly Rob Roy, judging by the way things are going here today. Stood on the only bit of ply I had and split it from end to end to end, DOOOH, but I'll get something out of it, all be it a bit smaller than I intended. :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(.
Rob Roy.
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I know Rob I know Some days you make sawdust and other you make mistakes.
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WE don't make MISTEAKS!
WE make Creative Adaptations!
~~~GB~~~
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Rob, I know the Scotts are famed for being tight as the proverbial Ducks bottom, but that was bad even for you, standing on a bit of ply to break it, just to save a bit of wear and tear on your bandsaw blade !!!!! ::) ::) ::) ::)
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@ Keith He could have used a splitting maul but they to cost money.
@ Rob Here use this aloe 'cause you got burned twice
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You're all cracking me up! Thanks!
Today has been much better, decided I was sick of Sear's run around and called Chase Visa... already have my refund and THEY called Sear's to insist UPS be at my house no later then Monday to pick up the saw.
Also went to HD and managed to get in and out with my paste, sandpaper, and some new drill bits so I can finish my work bench all w/o incident.
Off to get my table sanded and waxed and then get to building my work bench in the basement so I can get the scroll saw off the kitchen island (though honestly I like it in there, easy to keep an eye on the kids playing in the livingroom and a great excuse not to cook "but honey I have a project going in the kitchen right now" LOL
PS GB: Santa did come early, I sold my Cricut (paper cutting machine) for a very nice amount online and it's financed all my new wood working toys!
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Keith, Billy, when I need a biggish sheet of ply cut I get the wife to use her sharp tongue. Saves electricity, saves the saw blade and saves me the effort. A bargain if I ever saw, (excuse the pun) one. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D.
Rob Roy.
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Hi Candi, I'm just wondering what that young man's reaction in Home Depot would have been if you had asked him for a piece of bb 760mm x 1,374mm as we do here in Scotland. Now that would be a PUZZLE for him. Mind you sometimes it's a puzzle for me LOL LOL LOL. Good luck with your new yellow machine.
Rob Roy.
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Rob A long time back 1/4 inch plywood was 1/4 inch. then it became 7/32 inch and recently in the big box stores the have started listing it in mm :( I get so confused I just point and hold up fingers to tell the how many sheets!
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Watch out when you ask for two sheets Billy. LOL LOL.
Rob Roy.
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Rob you should have got her to cut the one you walked all over. I'm sure she would have done a better job.
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Too right Billy, The cut edges would require no finishing at all. Smooth as a baby's bottom LOL.
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Can you picture the HomeDepot guy describing HIS day to his buddies that night.
"Wow, ya shoulda seen the dipsey (his choice of word for female) that I had to explain the diff'rence between... Watta a dumby. Wonder if she got home!" ;D
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Candi, please, please, please tell me you did the survey on the receipt. I used to work for Home Depot and they take those surveys seriously. Fill it out and let them know what an idiot they hired.