Home Depot vs DIY pipe threading.....

[greenbikemike]

DIY.....hands down,a lot cheaper.I went to Home Depot to pick up black pipe to run my air compressor lines and they will cut it to size for you.....well,sounds good...."how much I ask"....$ 3.60 a foot.....wait,what? $3.60 a foot. ????????, let me see if I got this right,a 10' stick of 1/2 black pipe is $ 8.54 and say I need 9' 10 1/2" that one piece is $36.00?....yup,that's what it is,no,that can't be right,all you're doing is cut'n off 1 1/2" and threading one end,I don't want to whole pipe threaded,just the end and you have a power threader......" I know but that's what we charge".I figure the kid had it wrong,so I talk to a manager,nope,that's what we charge....WOW.....now I can see if all you need is 1-2 pieces,o.k....but I need over 80' and with drops and corners I needed to cut it,so,for $ 59.00 out the door,for 24 hours,I rented a threader,pipe vise and cutter and did it myself....I am a COB[cheap old *******] and proud of it,
Greenbikemike

 

[sean Buick 76]

Good job!

 

[archirelic]

Maybe my Home Depot is different...but they don't charge for cutting and generally don't charge for threading either. I know a buddy who had an enormous amount of pipe he needed cut and threaded and if I remember correctly, they wound up only charging him roughly ~10 cents to thread each piece after about a 20 or so cuts.

But as a general rule, both locations don't charge for cutting or threading where I'm at.

 

[Cab037]

That is an outrageous price for cutting and threading! But then again, after cutting and threading by hand for a while, the price starts to look more reasonable..... maybe.... probably not... we're all too cheap. Hand threading isn't too bad unless you don't have a pipe vise, as I don't, in which case it's always a fun adventure.

 

[txst]

My local Home Depot doesn't charge anything for cutting or threading. When I installed my garage heater, I brought a list of over a dozen lengths, and all I paid for was the pipe.

 

[boiler7904]

Same here - no extra charges for cutting or threading pipe. I needed a random piece of pipe so bought a full stick, had them cut and thread it. Didn't have an immediate need for the cutoff piece but the guy I dealt with offered to thread it for me just in case I ever needed it for free. At $36 a foot, I'd think about buying a vise and threading tools. Me and renting tools never seems to work out since I hate being rushed especially if it's one of the first times I've done a job.

 

[Vegaman_Dan]

I would be calling another HD if I saw prices like that. Clearly that store is confused on the policy.

I've thought about getting a pipe threader, and I know I wouldn't use it enough to justify the cost, but... it's a TOOL. You gotta collect all the tools, right? I hadn't thought about renting a threader. That would be a good choice.

I think I would be tempted now to just measure out what I need and have it cut and threaded at the store, make it into a kit with all drops at the same height to be consistent.

 

[Fordman7795]

When I worked at ace hardware 15 years ago we charged $.50 to cut and $.75 for each thread. Length didnt matter.

 

[Zeke]

When I worked at ace hardware 15 years ago we charged $.50 to cut and $.75 for each thread. Length didnt matter.

Right. Something is wrong with that idea that the length has anything to do with it. OTOH, I wanted to make sure the gas line I was putting in the wall would not have any defects so I bought mine at the plumbing supply. I also needed a 14' single piece which home improv stores don't carry. I did not want a coupling in the wall.

The PS charged me $15 for the cut and threading! Not going back there.

 

[Thumper68]

Makes me real glad that I have all the cutters, threading dies, reamer and a vise for everything from 1/4" up to 3"

 

[Contract_Pilot]

My HD don't charge for cutting and threading either.. they do make you go to the other end of the store buy the stick first then have you come back for the cutting and threading.

 

[volleyball]

I've done dozens and I have had the pipe cut to length, and with the remained or a piece off of that and had both threaded and then I bring it to the register and buy the 10' piece, no extra charge. Several lowes and HD's do this.

 

[holdover]

have a hand threader that I bought at a yard sale for 5.00, have used it many times to thread 3/4" pipe for pipe clamps. It is hand operated not electric, but to have it when and where I need it is priceless. If I ever need to do a big project I'll rent one or borrow one from one of my plumber buddies.. usually a six-pack is the fee. 30+ dollars is crazy

 

[sprntpshr]

DIY.....hands down,a lot cheaper....I am a COB[cheap old *******] and proud of it,
Greenbikemike

Looks to be a good start to your airlines

I am a DIY COB too.. a well equipped COB at least with all the vices and dies that I need to do my airline. Currently running the airline around my 40x60 shop. Picked up the pipe this morning for $24 a stick.

We will see how good the steel is in this pipe later today. Run 400' 1.25" gas-line & boiler piping to the in-floor heat system a couple of years back.

Got to be really careful about the wholesalers here, selling **** China pipe full of hard spots as "tested certified pipe". Always use Ridgid Dark cutting oil for threading and manged to chew up a set of new Ridgid dies on that junk, sent it all back and got replacement dies. New pipe from another supplier, no problems.

 

[Hpozzuoli]

I don't have a power threader....yet. Manual is ok for a couple of things, but doing volume *****. Anyways I always go to depot with my lengths and have them thread them for me. I don't buy the pipe there, I just have them thread it for me. Never once was I told I had to pay.

While on the Home Depot rant whats up with the HF coupons. I finally tried to use one there and they laughed at me....seriously they laughed. They don't accept them because HF is a discount store and of no competition to them. This was the day time manager who told me this. Must be a location thing.

 

[Zeke]

I don't have a power threader....yet. Manual is ok for a couple of things, but doing volume *****. Anyways I always go to depot with my lengths and have them thread them for me. I don't buy the pipe there, I just have them thread it for me. Never once was I told I had to pay.

I don't know if I think this is clever or if it *****.

While on the Home Depot rant whats up with the HF coupons. I finally tried to use one there and they laughed at me....seriously they laughed. They don't accept them because HF is a discount store and of no competition to them. This was the day time manager who told me this. Must be a location thing.

They seemed to do it on big ticket items like air compressors.

 

[PFSard]

DIY.....hands down,a lot cheaper.
Greenbikemike

Send the link to this thread to Home Depot Corporate. There shouldn't be this disparity in their business. Hint at the amount of people that frequent this forum on a regular basis.

 

[Norcal]

I have the tools to thread any pipe size from 1/4" to 2" which makes it nice when threading is needed, the old Rigid 535 machine makes it a lot less work then a ratcheting threader.

 

[A_Pmech]

I was such a cheap *******, I threaded all my gas line on the lathe rather than rent a threader.

 

[RVDan]

They used to charge five bucks to cut and thread here. That's cheaper than the time it takes in our shop. I have actually never done one myself, why would I?

 

[dtslmberne]

I brought a list of over a dozen lengths, and all I paid for was the pipe.

 

[Beemer533]

That's a crazy price... Neither Home Depot or the Lowes near me charges for threading.. You just pay for the pipe..

 

[gungatim]

that's just a good excuse to get another tool! I bought a thread set from HF many years ago. not sure they even carry it anymore, but have used it many times for getting a piece of pipe to just the right length. It's the ratcheting type, and pretty easy to use. Now whenever I need a piece of pipe, I always buy the longest piece I can get reasonably and cut and thread myself. I see used setups all the time at auctions go cheap, but my HF setup was around $30 and stores in a nice plastic case.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I inquired about threading at my store a few years back. I can't remember what it was, if anything, nut it was minimal. I picked up a pipe clamp at the swap meet for 8 bucks, mounted it to a board and clamped it to the work table. For shits and giggles, I used 20% off coupon and bought the HF threading kit. I was actually surprised that it made it past a piece or two.

 

[Zeke]

I was such a cheap *******, I threaded all my gas line on the lathe rather than rent a threader.

Never thought a lathe would do tapered (pipe) threads but now that you say so....

Or do you have a pipe die?

 

[greenbikemike]

Well,I had to go back yesterday for some fittings and grabbed my camera and took a pic. as I did,an employee asked if I needed anything and I told him that people can't believe how much it is to cut pipe,he said they used to charge so much for each cut and thread,but now its $3.60 ft.[alot more for bigger pipe] as you can see in the pic. top price is per stick and below is how much to cut and thread.
I told him that I rented and did it myself and he said he'd do the same thing.
So I don't know if its just that store or all Home Depots.....just an FYI so
back to work,I should finish it up today,if my back holds out it.

Greenbikemike

 

[A_Pmech]

Never thought a lathe would do tapered (pipe) threads but now that you say so....

Or do you have a pipe die?

A manual lathe with a taper attachment is required, but otherwise the process is the same as cutting a straight thread.

API threads, for example, are tapered threads commonly cut on an "oil country" lathe.

 

[Whiskeymike]

Well,I had to go back yesterday for some fittings and grabbed my camera and took a pic. as I did,an employee asked if I needed anything and I told him that people can't believe how much it is to cut pipe,he said they used to charge so much for each cut and thread,but now its $3.60 ft.[alot more for bigger pipe] as you can see in the pic. top price is per stick and below is how much to cut and thread.
I told him that I rented and did it myself and he said he'd do the same thing.
So I don't know if its just that store or all Home Depots.....just an FYI so
back to work,I should finish it up today,if my back holds out it.

Greenbikemike

Yea, I would complain to the local district manager or to corporate. Or check the next closest local store. The per foot price is if you want a foot or two. But if you buy in 10' lengths and have them cut, it's free or a nominal charge of 50-75 cents per cut. You might get your rental fee back if you talk to the district manager (Assuming you rented from HD).

My biggest problem is that my store doesn't maintain the machine very well and it's been broken for weeks at a time.

 

[cagullett1]

Well,I had to go back yesterday for some fittings and grabbed my camera and took a pic. as I did,an employee asked if I needed anything and I told him that people can't believe how much it is to cut pipe,he said they used to charge so much for each cut and thread,but now its $3.60 ft.[alot more for bigger pipe] as you can see in the pic. top price is per stick and below is how much to cut and thread.
I told him that I rented and did it myself and he said he'd do the same thing.
So I don't know if its just that store or all Home Depots.....just an FYI so
back to work,I should finish it up today,if my back holds out it.

Greenbikemike

That picture makes me think they are really confused. $3.60 is what they charge if you buy a 1' section at my local HD.

 

[archirelic]

I'm thinking that price is for a one foot stick of 1/2" black pipe. NOT the cost for cutting/threading.

Just checked with the one Home Depot I frequent regularly and am friends with many of the associates/managers...no charge on cutting/threading.

On rare occasion, they'll charge if the cuts/threading requests are in excess of 20+ pieces [b/c of the serious amounts of time it would take to fulfill the requests, etc.] and then that uses a specific sku, which is manager approved...and the customer is only charged 10 cents for the cut/thread on each piece over the 20 or so.

 

[rburke65]

I also used black pipe from HD and they never charged me to thread a pipe. Even months later I returned with a section and they threaded it....no problem!

 

[greenbikemike]

That picture makes me think they are really confused. $3.60 is what they charge if you buy a 1' section at my local HD.

Well,thats kinda what I was thinking at first,but I have talked to 3 differant employees there and all of them have said the same thing.....10'=$36.00!

I'm thinking that price is for a one foot stick of 1/2" black pipe. NOT the cost for cutting/threading.

Just checked with the one Home Depot I frequent regularly and am friends with many of the associates/managers...no charge on cutting/threading.

On rare occasion, they'll charge if the cuts/threading requests are in excess of 20+ pieces [b/c of the serious amounts of time it would take to fulfill the requests, etc.] and then that uses a specific sku, which is manager approved...and the customer is only charged 10 cents for the cut/thread on each piece over the 20 or so.

It could be that they are confused about this,but I was there and this is what I was told....by 3 people in that department. Next time I stop in,I'll ask to talk to the store manager....
BTW.....finnished up the piping,fired it up,no leaks over nite.....hell'kinda figured it would leak down over nite,but nope,still holding at 100,

thanks all,
Greenbikemike

 

[velocipede]

There's something fishy about this store. If you get no satisfaction from the manager, I'd try and locate the HD district manager, or even go to corporate HQ and ask for confirmation on their threading policy. More than one BORG manager/employee has been convicted of shady dealings.

 

[justin1795]

I got three pieces of 3/4 pipe threaded when we moved to town I figured id try the local hardware store. it was almost 50 bucks for 20 ft. they at least threaded it correctly.