Lowes often gets bashed in these forums, especially by me. It's a little worse here since our Lowes is called a "small format" store so they don't have even as much selection as the larger stores. The staff is what most of us see; not all that knowledgeable about, well, anything. Nevertheless, I'm going there more than ever due to the current circumstances and Marie wanted me to replace the glass on a framed picture that was destroyed in the shipping process. So I went to Lowes to get some glass cut. My measurements were down to the 16th of an inch, and though it took me a couple of tries to find the glass cutting guy he did an outstanding job. Not just on the cutting, which was dead nutz, but it was carefully wrapped and secured so I wouldn't cut myself carrying it out. He was quite good using the thingy they cut glass with and double checked all the settings before cutting. Anyway, I need another piece for a different pic and will be going back there, as soon as I figure out which shift this guy works.

50 minutes ago, Fred W. Hargis Jr said:

as soon as I figure out which shift this guy works.

If they're like the BORG, the schedules vary from week to week.  Always good to find the employees you can count on.

I went into Lowes last evening to purchase an assortment of fasteners and to look at what they had for 5" HVAC ducts.  I went to the area where I thought the HVAC ducts where located and did not see any so I went to the fastener aisle and found and bagged what I needed.  I moved over 3 or 4 aisles and found Eric.  I noticed that he had a badge but was not wearing his red vest.  I asked Eric if he worked  there and if so if he could help me.  Eric said that the HVAC ducts were in aisle 6 and if they were not there they were "way down there".  I left aisle 12 and went to aisle 6.  Aisle 6 only had window blinds so I headed down to "way down there".  "Way down there" only had plumbing supplies.  As I was leaving "way down there" I meet an other Lowes man who was helping Eric stock shelves in aisle 12.  I stopped him and asked him could direct me to the aisle which had HVAC ducts.  He pull out his fancy smart device, pushed a button or two and scanned a code on the washing machine which we were standing by.  He then took a 2nd scan off the washing machine and asked me if I was needing glue.  I said no and that I was needing to look at the HVAC ducting.  After looking at his fancy smart device again he told me to go to aisle 16.  I went to aisle 16 and guess what was there?  Fasteners.  After more looking on my part I found the ducts in aisle 14.   Danl

38 minutes ago, Danl said:

I went into Lowes last evening to purchase an assortment of fasteners and to look at what they had for 5" HVAC ducts.  I went to the area where I thought the HVAC ducts where located and did not see any so I went to the fastener aisle and found and bagged what I needed.  I moved over 3 or 4 aisles and found Eric.  I noticed that he had a badge but was not wearing his red vest.  I asked Eric if he worked  there and if so if he could help me.  Eric said that the HVAC ducts were in aisle 6 and if they were not there they were "way down there".  I left aisle 12 and went to aisle 6.  Aisle 6 only had window blinds so I headed down to "way down there".  "Way down there" only had plumbing supplies.  As I was leaving "way down there" I meet an other Lowes man who was helping Eric stock shelves in aisle 12.  I stopped him and asked him could direct me to the aisle which had HVAC ducts.  He pull out his fancy smart device, pushed a button or two and scanned a code on the washing machine which we were standing by.  He then took a 2nd scan off the washing machine and asked me if I was needing glue.  I said no and that I was needing to look at the HVAC ducting.  After looking at his fancy smart device again he told me to go to aisle 16.  I went to aisle 16 and guess what was there?  Fasteners.  After more looking on my part I found the ducts in aisle 14.   Danl

 

...Sounds just like the Lowes here. 

LOL the only decent thing I can find on hand at lowes is Tung Oil otherwise I WILL NOT shop there for aanything.....

Have some fun with this. When they ask what you are looking for reply, Stone Tablets from God written in blood.

 

The incidents described above align with what normally happens when I go in as well. To continue with original story, I wasn't able to find my guy, so I settled for someone else. Big mistake. The second guy (who was also training a new hire on how to cut glass) set my pane on the cutter and then explained to the newbie how you lined up the measurements. Then to cut the glass you run the scoring tool down it.....once isn't enough, 5 times usually does it (!). My informal training on cutting glass was that you NEVER scored twice. Anyway, they wrapped my glass I was off to the shop. The cut edge was so ragged, it's a good thing it was wrapped. I could have sawn wood with it. Then the pane size was 3/32" too wide, and the height was 3/32" too short. The shortness wasn't a problem, but the width made me trim some wood out of my frame to get it in. I could have taken back and had them cut a new piece, but there wasn't any guarantee it would be better....plus it meant another trip there and being in the store. C'est la Vie.

Neither Lowe's or the Big Orange cut glass or even carry Plexiglass or anything similar.  They do have a great selection.  The only bad experience I had at Lowe's was when we purchased our refrigerator.  We could get no one to help.  Finally, I stopped a lady wearing one of the red vests and asked how we could get some help.  Wouldn't you know it, she was the only person in the region, but she was very helpful and happy to help us.  We have 3 big Lowe's and 3 large Big Orange.  I don't deal with Big Orange as they have only 1 or sometimes 2 cashiers.  They want everyone to use that self help crap.  If you don't hire employees to help me, I don't patronize your business.  

 

For glass, I have one glass company that I use.  If I have a window, I take in the frame and they cut the glass to fit with a little room for the wood to move.  About 15 years ago, they cut every piece of window pane in this house.  I reworked every sash.  They also wrap the glass in paper and put it in the frame.  It is easy to get home and install.  And, glass used to be very cheap.  Each window pane was about $5.  

 

Christmas trees and Lowe's--this year there was a tree shortage.  They had about 24 trees at $50 each when I picked up ours.  It is a Fraser Fir.  Most tree lots sold out by the 2nd week of December.  I will be making a steamy locomotive with ours and couple more.  They are wonderful to turn and with all the knots, they are beautiful.  

10 hours ago, FlGatorwood said:

I will be making a steamy locomotive with ours and couple more.  They are wonderful to turn and with all the knots, they are beautiful.  

 

Please take us with you when you do this project Steve, sounds interesting.