Having Homedepot cut plywood down to size

reefes pieces

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#2
really depends on the person cutting. I've had some employees that took pride in what they did and were very accurate and I've had other employees make cuts almost an inch off and splinter the crud out of the board. Just make sure the employee doesn't do all measurements on the board before cutting. This means they're not bothering to account for loss on the cut. The better employees will measure from the blade and mark the panel saw instead of the wood.
 
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#3
really depends on the person cutting. I've had some employees that took pride in what they did and were very accurate and I've had other employees make cuts almost an inch off and splinter the crud out of the board. Just make sure the employee doesn't do all measurements on the board before cutting. This means they're not bothering to account for loss on the cut. The better employees will measure from the blade and mark the panel saw instead of the wood.
That's not sure true.

They can mark the board and know exactly what they're doing.

In most cases, the plywood saws are setup with a 1/16" blade. Some are a 1/8 or a 3/16.

Here is the best way to get it done: mark the wood yourself, and ask them to notch it with the saw on both the rip and the cross cut. For each notch, check to see how it looks.

If they're paying attention, they'll ask you which side of the notch the blade needs to be at.

If they mess up the cut, don't pay for it. If they mess up, they'll call someone over who will notcmess up.

Sometimes, home depot will have s sign that says "we do not perform exact cuts." in their defense, the 3 free cuts you get with a stand at the saw is so that you can get your project home in your toyota corolla. NOT so that they can make you s custom cabinet alternative to Ikea. If they don't want to play ball, that sign they have posted will do exactly what i just typed: they are not your cabinet maker. They are just there to get the product home in your car.

Most folks will be kind and accomodatong as long as you explain yourself well. They've done 1,000 projects "worse" than yours, including an entire 3 sets of Jiant Jenga this week.

Just be kind, patient, and accurate yourself, and if it doesnt work out, go to Lowe's.
 
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#4
I love the if it doesn't work go to lowes
I would honestly not trust them
I use the cuts my self and if im off or uneven edges I sand down to even not the best method but pretty accurate
 
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#5
I love the if it doesn't work go to lowes
I would honestly not trust them
I use the cuts my self and if im off or uneven edges I sand down to even not the best method but pretty accurate
Eh, is just meant to mean, "there are other alternatives if it doesnt work at HD."

I
 
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#6
Finally got around to this yesterday and the kid actually did a good job. I measured and marked all cuts with a square myself. I was a little worried so I gave all cuts an inch buffer. If I've known I would have did 1/4 or 1/2 only. But either way I'd still have to trim it myself so no biggie. He did about 10 cuts and didn't charge for any over 3.
 

Joshua

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#9
I always have Home Depot cut mine and they are spot on. If they aren’t tell them and they will get a new sheet.


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#12
This depends on the employee making the cuts not the store. Just make sure the cut doesnt go above sixteenth of an inch or else you will get charged up not down.
 
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#13
Tustin Market Place Home Depot got a new 2x4 cutting machine a few months ago. It works so much better than the one they had previously. It looks a lot bigger. Tell them that you need multiple cuts in the same length. I would ask them to first make 1 cut then measure it yourself to make sure it's right, and finally, ask them to copy the exact same length for the other cuts. They will vice a wooden block to one end of the 2x4 so that way it can't be pushed any further to ensure that the next cuts are the exact same length. If they choose to measure and mark each 2x4 individually then cut on the mark, the cuts are not all going to be the exact same length. I would ask them to use the vice method instead.

The plywood sheet machine however, is not as accurate but most of the time it's not been a problem for me. For the ones that are slightly oversized, I keep the front end of the tank flushed but the sheet on one side of the tank along with the back side would extend a bit. I try not to use the ones that are not long enough to cover the tank. All in all, they do offer a nice service to people who don't have these types of tools and skill sets. People who wouldn't otherwise have the courage to try building these DIY projects. Thanks Home Depot!
 
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#14
I always have Home Depot cut mine and they are spot on. If they aren’t tell them and they will get a new sheet.


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Before they get things started, they always told me that the cuts are not going to be exactly the way I want it to be. I thought this is their way of saying that once it's cut, whether or not it's accurate, you have to pay for it. So I never bothered to ask them if I don't have to pay for cuts that isn't the way I wanted them to be. Mind if I ask, did they ask you to pay for the material that wasn't used? It sounds like that's what you're saying. If so, that's great news!
 

dan0303

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#15
I used to work for Home Depot in the lumber department. Here's the thing about the panel saw. Our saw would hardly get serviced and when it did, it would usually be a dust collection, new blade if it really needed it, electrical service if needed, and maybe an alignment if it was really off. Now for the cuts...they can be accurate at times, but I noticed it would be off by a 1/8" at times to even up to almost 1/4" as it you progressed the board and it would be hard to explain to customers the situation. We were told to inform people that it isn't a precision saw, which it really isn't, but to just break down large pieces for you to take home. That is what panel saws are intended to do is just breakdown big sheets into smaller for one to be able to handle.

Also, if your cut isn't what you want. You can always ask for a new sheet. Just try to get someone who is willing to help, or you'll end up with sloppy cuts.
 

Smite

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#16
Totally depends on the person working. Some have prior construction experience and care about the customer. they'll use a measure tape and not trust the machine's numbers.


I know this is for an old thread but if someone plans to do this local to OC, hit up Austin's Hardwoods in Santa Ana. Much better grade and selection of plywood/hardwood. They also make cuts but on a much more accurate level.

Eventually I'll be upgrading my stand face to a nice stain with the same layout. That's most likely where I'll be buying the lumber.
 
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#19
IF you are not happy with what you get from Home Depot, or they will not do it right for you Ganahl lumber does an excellent job, and sells a variety of woods that are better for the job then your Baltic birch is going to be.

Prices are similar, and it may take them a couple days if you have a lot of pieces you want done.

Otherwise if you drive around your neighborhood a few times every hundred houses or so here seems to have a woodworker in the garage (mine included) and a guy will likely rip it for you on there table saw for a 6 pack.
 

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