Once Upon a Trip to Home Depot

[biggsauce]

I went to the local Home Depot yesterday for a rush job at work to pick up a 6" long 1.5" black iron pipe nipple. I figured this would be fairly simple: if they don't stock it, they can cut it. Sure enough it wasn't stocked, so I asked an employee to cut one for me. All seemed well, he chucked the pipe up and began cutting, so I went and browsed the brass fittings to kill time. A few minutes later, he came up to me with the nipple wrapped up in some paper towels. I didn't bother to check the threads as I figure any fool could run that die machine, seeing as how its designed to be easy to operate. When I got back to the shop, I climbed up on the compressor and unwrapped the nipple. I hope these pictures do this piece of work justice.

[frankrede]

That sucks, How did he manage to do that!

[biggsauce]

I think he tried to operate the machine using only his ass cheeks.

Lesson learned. Always check what you buy especially when an average joe is cutting it.

[frankrede]

I think he tried to operate the machine using only his ass cheeks.

Lesson learned. Always check what you buy especially when an average joe is cutting it.

I always wondered why it seems like mostly asshats who don't even know how to use a screwdriver work at Lowes and Home depot.

[iisthemuffin]

I like your sense of humor bigsauce. Its much like mine.

And are there even threads on that one side? It kind of looks discolored like there SHOULD be threads there, but i cant really see any.

[brogdenlaxmiddie]

Home Depot is an equal opportunity employer, maybe the guy was "special"? But I really don't think so, I think he's a fucking idiot.

[starman]

My local Home Depot and Lowes guys are fairly decent. I can't imagine any of them turning out something like this. I'm not sure how he even got it to do this...maybe using the 1 1/4" setting or locking it down somewhere between 1 1/4 and 1 1/2.

One for the ages Bigsauce!

[CasinoVanart]

I bet she was wrapped up real tight!
Why the hell would he not have realised his mistake, made another one.
Failing that he could have got a monkey to do the job, would have been 60percent better than that result, tell me you took it back and threw it at him!!

[SpudFarm]

and i that freaked out when i paid big time to get a 2" hydraulic union and got a malleable nipple, took it back and asked why i did get a nipple and the guy did not know whar a union was!

i hope you take that back and ask for fittings that fit those threads

[POLAND_SPUD]

Home Depot is an equal opportunity employer, maybe the guy was "special"? But I really don't think so, I think he's a freakin idiot

LOL that's what I thought when I saw the pics....



BTW I've noticed that there is one simple rule - if the guy follows you and observes closely what you are doing he turns out to be an idiot

[rna_duelers]

Did he try and use a barstard file to make those threads?I mean what the hell is that.

I hope you took it back to the store and told him to fornicate himself with it and get a replacement and your money back.

[Hubb]

Since the piece is scrap, you should ask to keep it once it's replaced. It will forever remind you of two things; 1) always check what you buy and 2) you can cut threads with your ass (the quality is crap, but it can be done).

As far as how he did this, he used the wrong size dye.

[willarddaniels]

Yup, he used the wrong sized dye as well as tried to cut too short of a length of pipe. Most machines that Lowes and HD use limit out at about 10 inches, then they don't chuck properly and you get that kind of action.

Funny; I learned how to thread pipe about 9 years ago at a HD... nobody was around, so I got their machine out, looked at it for a minute or so to figure out how it works and then went to town. I've been doing it ever since, when nobody is in the aisle- I just help myself. Same with cutting lumber, carpet or anything. I've even cut tile for other customers.
If there is a lock on the equipment or some other code is required it is usually 1234, 4321 or their store number. You can find their store number on product labels, or just ask an associate. It is easy to beat the system.

[starman]

There's a decent chance he damaged the cutting die whipping out this little miracle. I wouldn't necessarily call it a firing offense though. There's a reasonable chance he had never used the thing or been trained to use it.

You do have to question though why some big question marks didn't fly for him when the pipe came out like it did. Take it back and show the manager. Do like Hubb suggested...ask to keep the bad part.

[jonnyboy]

You should go back and ask him to find the proper fitting for it.

I actually lol'd reading this thread.