I sure took this one for granted

[Crazyraceguy]

Normally, when a folder is handed to me, there is at least some talk about how long it might take. Since this one will get tile applied to the outside, on site (buy someone else) that cuts some time from it. Also, no curves or corners either, making it "simple". Most of the time this would have been correct. After a cursory glance, it seemed ok. Man was I wrong. This thing was just a mess. They just blindly followed the original designer drew, with absolutely no thought given to the fact that someone has to actually build the thing. It was working against me, from the jump. Then, after a couple of days of working on it, comes the "we have to hurry on this, it has to install on Saturday". Because of that, I didn't get as many pics as I usually would, I didn't even get both halves, when it hit the floor. We separated the halves to finish up the sanding, with a couple of helpers. I'm concentrating on the bigger side while they finished the other.....and suddenly, it's gone. In the truck, before I could get a shot.
As you can see, from the one pic, we had all of the clamps over 48" involved. We even had to use the joining block for the Besseys on the front. 15 feet of clamping takes a few hands.
I hope to get some finished pics too. They have to get it done today, so maybe Monday.

 

[smorgasbord]

I like the first photo, with the orange fit fine-tuning device in the foreground. ;^)

 

[luvmytoolz]

Very nice work as always!

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I like the first photo, with the orange fit fine-tuning device in the foreground. ;^)

Sometimes a little percussive adjustment is required.

 

[Vondawg]

Normally, when a folder is handed to me, there is at least some talk about how long it might take. Since this one will get tile applied to the outside, on site (buy someone else) that cuts some time from it. Also, no curves or corners either, making it "simple". Most of the time this would have been correct. After a cursory glance, it seemed ok. Man was I wrong. This thing was just a mess. They just blindly followed the original designer drew, with absolutely no thought given to the fact that someone has to actually build the thing. It was working against me, from the jump. Then, after a couple of days of working on it, comes the "we have to hurry on this, it has to install on Saturday". Because of that, I didn't get as many pics as I usually would, I didn't even get both halves, when it hit the floor. We separated the halves to finish up the sanding, with a couple of helpers. I'm concentrating on the bigger side while they finished the other.....and suddenly, it's gone. In the truck, before I could get a shot.
As you can see, from the one pic, we had all of the clamps over 48" involved. We even had to use the joining block for the Besseys on the front. 15 feet of clamping takes a few hands.
I hope to get some finished pics too. They have to get it done today, so maybe Monday.

Courious …are the 2 black toolboxes w/curley Q lines, running to the piece some sort of vac clamp ?

 

[tjbnwi]

Courious …are the 2 black toolboxes w/curley Q lines, running to the piece some sort of vac clamp ?

They are Paralign vacuum clamps. They come in handy for more than just stone or solid surface.

Parallign Seam Setter For Solid Surface - Defusco Industrial Supply

Reach near perfect alignment with the Parallign Seam Setter! Aligns surfaces and clamps seams leading to a finished job in a minimal amount of time

www.defusco.com

Tom

 

[Crazyraceguy]

Courious …are the 2 black toolboxes w/curley Q lines, running to the piece some sort of vac clamp ?

Yes, as Tom said, they are Paralign clamps. They not only pull the joints together, they are adjustable to make the two surfaces flush with each other. There is no adhesive at the center set. They are just there to pull the sides together, as they would be when installed permanently. Those two happen to be electrically powered, but we have another set that work by compressed air. Venturi Vacuum

 

[Packard]

Has your company ever generated any modular design sketch’s for these projects. You could suggest size limitations that resolve shipping, and in-shop maneuvering.

Suggested heights and depths for various applications. Sent to the client’s designers, it could reduce production costs, reduce lead times and improve functionality.

In any case, any design suggestions that help your production, also helps your customer. It also makes you a more valued vendor, especially if you pre-warn the designer of issues that they might want to avoid.

Also, working with fixed module sizes makes better use of materials, with fewer visible joints, and easier on-site assembly.

 

[tjbnwi]

Designers don’t care, they want what they want. We deal with it on every job.

Tom

 

[Crazyraceguy]

Designers don’t care, they want what they want. We deal with it on every job.

Tom

Yeah, but for the most part, they don't care about "how" it's done either. As long as it looks like what they envision, the inner workings are up to us. Sometimes we even get "design/build" jobs, where the design is just a concept and they don't have a clue how it could be done.
I did a job for a Library (years ago) where the Architect came to the shop to see it, because he didn't think it could be done.

 

[luvmytoolz]

We had an "expert" design a chain driven ramp to lift timber beams up to the mill table at the timber mill I worked at, it wasn't until they went to fit the chains that they realised there was no return path built into the ramp.

Looked pretty though! ;-)

 

[Crazyraceguy]

Has your company ever generated any modular design sketch’s for these projects. You could suggest size limitations that resolve shipping, and in-shop maneuvering.

Suggested heights and depths for various applications. Sent to the client’s designers, it could reduce production costs, reduce lead times and improve functionality.

In any case, any design suggestions that help your production, also helps your customer. It also makes you a more valued vendor, especially if you pre-warn the designer of issues that they might want to avoid.

Also, working with fixed module sizes makes better use of materials, with fewer visible joints, and easier on-site assembly.

The customers and designers don't care anything about that. The only thing that is ever seen as a limitation is the elevator, even that is not always a barrier. We have delivered quite a few large objects through window openings, usually before they are installed. There have been a few, where the units had to be removed.
The module size thing is actually a "thing" with a lot of Architects. They will literally go outside the common dimensions, just to not look "common." Sometimes these issues are raised, in the Engineering stages. Once in a while it gets modified/compromised, usually not.
There is little that is more infuriating, than a countertop that is 145" long.

 

[tjbnwi]

Longest single unit by length was a 26’ base cabinet. Delivered a complete island that was 6’x12’.

Many times walls need to be removed to get our cabinets in. 99.9% of our builds are inset, the designers not want any seams in the face frames. We’ve tried Lamello’s that little vertical joint/line is unacceptable.

As I said, the designers get what they want. When the home owner is paying upwards of $250,000.00 for their cabinet package we don’t argue.

Tom