Our casual remodeling of our shower and bath is slowly moving into the construction phase. After reading a home improvement guide, I’m sufficiently confident I can rebuild the partition that was separating the shower and tub. The art of toe-nailing seems to be the key to securing the studs to the base. I paid attention to where the nails were placed in the wood when I removed the old wall. The nails were placed at an angle into the bottom board.
On Saturday, Alexis and I set out to Lowe’s to buy 2x4s, nails, screws, dry wall, cement board, tiles, etc. Our real concern was transportation of supplies. We were not going to be able to fit the 2x4s into our car unless we turned it into a moving road hazard. Upon arriving at the store our first step was to secure a truck. Behind the customer counter there was a sign posted with a numbered list of services Lowe’s provided. Number six read, “Truck rental.” The customer “help” desk lady said that the truck was currently being used and that it was out indefinitely. I was taken aback by the thought of only one truck being used and repeated it back to her. “You only have one truck?” Instead of leaving and heading to Home Depot, Alexis and I went and looked at everything we were going to buy. We asked questions to a few of the employees as they were annoyingly helpful. We learned that 2x4s were not actually two inches by four inches. They start out with those dimensions, but when they are smoothed down they become approximately one and a half by three and a half. I also happened to ask a different employee about truck rentals and learned the truth behind the missing vehicle. It seems the corporate office sent a lackey to the store and made them sign the truck over to them. No truck was available for rent at all. Next weekend we are either renting a truck from U-Haul or going to Home Depot.
12:13 pm, July 14, 2009Dustin Hatfield /
Good luck w/ Home Depot. I HATE that place.
1:41 pm, July 26, 2009Ann Clary /
Hi! I was just reading about your shower project ! Sounds like fun ! Did you get your 2x4s (1.5×3.5s) home yet ? Actually, Dustin is right, both Lowes and Home Depot can be quite annoying ! Good Luck !
11:52 pm, December 8, 2009Jim /
Just guessing, Paul.
If you’re just learning that a (nominal) 2×4 atually has smaller dimensions, this must be like your first project. I remember my father telling me that – in the mid to late 1950′s (no exaggeration), so it’s been true for your entire life. Anyway, best of luck on your project.
PS In general, Lowes requires a purchase to rent the truck while Home Depot does not. That means that the truck at HD is unavailable even more often.