SFA: What's the Answer?
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Pacificcrest22
Recently got the opportunity to take over my boss’ business. They have always done everything old-school. We have always done manual templates and a lot of handwork in the shop. Looking for some good ideas that has made life easier and safer for your guys. Also, things that have helped you make a better product, faster turnaround, and happier clients/staff. Big or small, all ideas help.
Justzack Administrator
We went with a digital templator and a plotter for more-accurate templates. Then slowly moved to CNC saw and router. Must-have shop tools were the Seam Phantom and Gorilla Grips. I always liked Alpha saws for sinks. I kept one with a straight blade and one for a contour blade so we were not wasting time switching blades. Justin Zacherl Creekside Granite and More Justin.zacherl@stonefabricatorsalliance.com
Pacificcrest22
With all the digital-template machines on the market, how do you know which one works well. I’ve talked to other shops and heard some stories that sound like a horror story. We have a Coch saw that we recently updated from an older model. Sometimes I think the older one was more true than the new one. We have to retune it quite often because it will be out a 32nd to a 16th. Do you have any issues with your CNC equipment messing up?
Justzack Administrator
The new models all work well. I have a Leica 3d; works great for us. The key is having edit software on the laptop so you can verify a few measurements while still at the house. As far as the blade walking. I am not familiar with that saw. Could be the blade glazing or the core is weak. I have not had any issues with blades walking on my saw. I have a Denver Technika 5 axis.
Dave.Scott Premium Member
The best thing I ever did in business was: to find people who were better than me, or had skills that I did not possess. Attract them, hire them, let them lead (in their area) and watch. Then, praise publicly and, critique privately. David Scott At large Warrenton, Ore. "What we leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, what is woven into the lives of others" - Pericles
QuartzworX Premium Member
When we switched to digital templating about four years ago, we started with a LT 2D3D, but have since switched over to a Proliner. My templators that have experience with both systems like the Proliner better, and we have noticed better consistency and accuracy with the Proliner. My son uses a Flexijet at the shop he works at. He says the Flexijet is more-complicated to operate but has more advanced features available. Most of those features aren't necessary for most shops. Start evolving toward digital fabrication. Start with digital templating and printing templates on vinyl sheeting. Then gradually work your way toward CNCs. The labor pool in this trade is continually shrinking. A few times a year Park puts on a seminar that helps you understand how digital fabrication pays for itself in labor savings. It's worth going to. You will learn a lot in a short time. Darin