Aaarrgh!

[madbaker]

The contractors started work in our garage this week. They have to replace some of our old knob-and-tube electrical wiring as part of the joist repair - one of the reasons we're going with a contractor rather than doing it ourselves.

Unfortunately, they didn't reconnect everything yesterday when they left. None of the overhead lights work, along with some of the outlets. This means that we had to run an extension cord from the bedroom to have a fan going last night, for example. We left a note and I'll bring it up when I get home today. But still.

Also, fortunately the wife was home yesterday when they showed up; most of the spare keys we gave them didn't actually work. And the keys were a standard brand! I got them from the local non-chain hardware store (that'll teach me). It's a shame, really, because this store has knowledgeable and helpful people otherwise. But they apparently don't have competent key-makers.

What I'm reading: Wen Spencer, Tinker

Comments

[falzalot.livejournal.com]

I have been told that most hardware stores, including the big chains, don't always do the greatest keys. The main reason is that they don't calibrate the key machines very often. Locksmiths, on the otherhand, calibrate those puppies all the time.

[madbaker.livejournal.com]

Actually I have never had a problem at any of the hardware stores I have used before this. The store I went to used similar (but wrong) blanks - the keys' cross-sections are not shaped the same. That says sloppy to me.

I am, however, going to a locksmith today for a new full set.