Author Topic: Home Depot Cutting Your MDF/Wood (Read 13508 times)

bcard74 · « **on:** October 29, 2002, 05:40:28 pm »

Hey all. I have been reading a bit and obviously know that Home Depot or Lowe's will cut your 4x8 for you, but my question is just how much can they do?

For instance, if I give them dimensions for a bartop, are they able to cut the whole thing out right there? I am not so good on the old table saw and this would save me a ton of time depending on just how much they can actually do.

Any input or experience on having this done? Thanks as usual all.

SirPoonga · « **Reply #1 on:** October 29, 2002, 06:01:10 pm »

Well, go ask them.

bcard74 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 29, 2002, 06:16:02 pm »

Too cold out tonight, thought I would take the "Lazy Man's" approach first. Perhaps tomorrow!

SirPoonga · « **Reply #3 on:** October 29, 2002, 06:19:24 pm »

Can't call?

bcard74 · « **Reply #4 on:** October 29, 2002, 06:24:13 pm »

Just did, Rona (A Canadian Lowe's type) said they can only do straight cuts, no angles. Will try Home Depot ...

Not trying to be lazy, I just thought that someone here would have some experience with it. I know on the Rectocactus site he made it sound like Home Depot cut his entire cabinet for him, but I was not sure if I was misinterpreting him ...

drabbit · « **Reply #5 on:** October 29, 2002, 06:30:32 pm »

hehe, a fellow Canadian (Quebec judging from the fact that you called a RONA).

I doubt that Home Depot will do it, but if they do let me know!!!

I had to get a few angle cuts made from a Cabinet Maker, all the other straight cuts were made at RONA.

bcard74 · « **Reply #6 on:** October 29, 2002, 06:35:04 pm »

Burlington, Ontario actually. Rona's all over the place here. Actually "Rona Cashway Lansing" I believe it is after quite the merger ...

Go Leafs ...

SNAAAKE · « **Reply #7 on:** October 29, 2002, 07:09:50 pm »

well...my local HD would do 2 free cuts then $0.50 for next cuts however some workers downthere got me like 6 cuts for a panel onces for free.But as usual,there are always some a$$holes workin at homedepot and after 2 cuts they would say "50 cents for next cuts".

and they dont do angle cuts( no lumber would do) so thats all yours(use jigsaw).

BUT,I got lucky on my cabinet.My local lumber got me 10 cuts for free.I just paid for pre laminated wood(2 sheets of 4x8 for $65 total).ofcourse I felt kinda sad for the guy who was cutting all the pieces for me so I gave him a $5 tip.
Lumber stores are better then home depot because you can get your cuts for free I guess.

hyiu · « **Reply #8 on:** October 29, 2002, 11:16:07 pm »

do NOT trust Home depot's cut !!!...
they use the BIG cutting machine to cut the 4 x 8....
and its not accurate.... you might ended up being off by 1/4 inch!!! (that's what I got by asking them to cut for me !!!...)

they only do straight cuts, and I don't think they'll do angle cuts....

well..... if you simply not feel comfortable cutting at all... then I guess only way is to get a gutted one...

but if you're just can't cut very straight, then I suggest you spend like $10 or so, and get a 4 ft metal ruler and a couple of cramps.... and use the ruler as a guide to the saw... then you'll be able to cut perfect straight cuts.....
(that's how I do it now...)

hope it helps....

SirPoonga · « **Reply #9 on:** October 30, 2002, 12:01:29 am »

Quote from: bcard74 on October 29, 2002, 06:24:13 pm

Just did, Rona (A Canadian Lowe's type) said they can only do straight cuts, no angles. Will try Home Depot ...

Not trying to be lazy, I just thought that someone here would have some experience with it. I know on the Rectocactus site he made it sound like Home Depot cut his entire cabinet for him, but I was not sure if I was misinterpreting him ...

Well, If you know how wide it is you can get those rectangle panels cut:)

Brax · « **Reply #10 on:** October 30, 2002, 07:27:14 am »

Ha! I work in Burlington.
I got Home Depot in Ancaster to cut up the 4 x 8 sheet for my cocktail table. They do 6 cuts for free and something like a buck a cut after that. More than 20 cuts and they'd like you to make an appointment. It cost around 6 bucks to have it all cut up. Worth it, in my opinion.
As for accuracy, they were PERFECT. Off by less than a 1/16"
I just had it all mapped out on a piece of paper and told him how I wanted it cut up... Piece of cake. But... only straight cuts, I had an L shaped one I would have liked them to do but they wouldn't. No biggie. That was just to conserve my scrap.

Xiaou2 · « **Reply #11 on:** October 30, 2002, 08:41:56 am »

maybe you are lucky... cause Ive had them cut many things... and the accuracy has always been horrid. Luckily, I learned my lesson... and had them cut the wood extra large, so that I could fix it later at home on the talble saw.

Basically, I just had them cut it enough so that it would fit into the car.

I highly recomend getting a tablesaw. Its not only easier ,faster, and more accurate... but you can re-sell it later for almost as much as you paid for it - thats if you dont plan on keeping it, or cant really afford it.

Brax · « **Reply #12 on:** October 30, 2002, 09:35:49 am »

Well you can generalize all you want about Home Depot.
I'm talking about a SPECIFIC Home Depot and it's fifteen minutes from his house.

Mention you need it accurate and keep an eye on the measurements, its not hard.

rampy · « **Reply #13 on:** October 30, 2002, 09:49:47 am »

Quote from: SNAAAKE on October 29, 2002, 07:09:50 pm

BUT,I got lucky on my cabinet.My local lumber got me 10 cuts for free.I just paid for pre laminated wood(2 sheets of 4x8 for $65 total).ofcourse I felt kinda sad for the guy who was cutting all the pieces for me so I gave him a $5 tip.
Lumber stores are better then home depot because you can get your cuts for free I guess.

I hate to agree with snaaake (just teasing)... but he's right. Local Lumberyards and contractor's warehouses (NOT HD or Lowes) will be more likely to help for a relatively small amount of money making multiple more specific cuts (than HD would)... and I'm sure it doesn't hurt to tip the guy. =)

rampy

Chris · « **Reply #14 on:** October 30, 2002, 09:55:29 am »

Quote from: Brax on October 30, 2002, 09:35:49 am

Mention you need it accurate and keep an eye on the measurements, its not hard.

Ours has signs all over the cutting area: "2 free cuts only, no precision cuts, no angle cuts, no project cutting". That said, it totally depends on who you get, how nicely you talk to them, and how busy they are... and if they do charge for cuts, well, 50 cents or a dollar per cut is a lot cheaper than buying a table saw, or even your time for that matter...

Brax · « **Reply #15 on:** October 30, 2002, 09:59:14 am »

Ours will do up to 6 cuts free, and anything over 20 with an appointment.

Keep in mind we're a different country than you.
Different policies... and customer service by the sounds of it.

Chris · « **Reply #16 on:** October 30, 2002, 10:06:38 am »

Quote from: Brax on October 30, 2002, 09:59:14 am

Different policies... and customer service by the sounds of it.

Customer service? At Home Depot?

That's not a different country... that's a different world...

--Chris

Frostillicus · « **Reply #17 on:** October 31, 2002, 08:18:03 am »

one place you might try is a cabinetry shop - the kind with a small front store and a huge warehouse full of sawdust and types of wood. or maybe those places that sell unfinished furniture have people there who could custom cut something, or at least could hook you up with whoever makes their furniture.

bcard74 · « **Reply #18 on:** October 31, 2002, 09:54:58 am »

Thanks to everyone for your help. I got the local store to cut it down and then I clamped it and jigsawed the rest. Ended up looking pretty good. I have the cabinet together and am working on the CP now (see my latest how-do-I post). Only thing I don't like is I made the cab just a little bigger than I needed to and now I kind of wish I had a 17 inch instead of a 15 inch monitor in there. Oh well, live and learn!

Easier than I thought, I am gaining quite a bit of confidence as I go along, thanks to everyone for their help!

SNAAAKE · « **Reply #19 on:** November 01, 2002, 12:36:44 am »

Quote from: rampy on October 30, 2002, 09:49:47 am

I hate to agree with snaaake (just teasing)...

Hehe he..

I always thought you were the bad guy BUT you have been very helpful on couple of my dumb question man..thanks once again and yes..

BE nice to the guy who cuts your wood and dont make it look like he has to cut of for you(like when you go complain to his boss)and your cuts will be fine and the top reason HD cuts your wood wrong sized because the employs down there get like $5 an hour and can't expect much service from them.

SirPoonga · « **Reply #20 on:** November 01, 2002, 03:18:11 am »

Also, for those who want to use metal, goto your local metal shop. I found a place that is REALLY cheap. I need sheet metal for something, nothing big, their useless scrap they sell for like $0.10 sq ft.


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