Joint/ Seams

[Jonovdh]

Hi guys,

2 things for joints:

-I'm wondering what the leading technology is for seaming? We do a phantom seam by grinding the bottom half of the joint edge deeper for the glue to go, and We have the Omni cubed seam setter which has 4 suction cups, an air compressor and rods which raise and lower the slab and also squeeze it together. Are there better technologies out there?

-we have had it in the past that the surface of the joints are not perfectly flat. Some times the material is slightly "cupped" and we can't get it perfectly flat. Is this within tolerance? Sometimes the front of the seam is flat and the back is raised up maybe like not even a millameter. I just get frustrated when our builders or cabinet companies try to make a name for themself in front of their client and tell us it's no good. The only remedy is we grind the surface something we are not prepared to do in house and are then looking at a 500-1000 service call. We do have a clause on this in our team and conditions but you know how sometimes people don't like when you play that card. I'm just wondering if this is a common issue. I have had this issue with granite and Caeserstone quartz so all types and even better known names.

[Ken Lago]

We all should strive for perfection but it takes a little luck to get there.
You're doing everything right. Maybe you should focus on communication between the parties.

[Dan R.]

Sounds familiar to where I am (Chicago market).

[Omni Cubed Larry]

It sounds like you are doing everything right and beyond what is the norm or "industry standard". Maybe explain to the customers and/or builders what the "standard" is (see MIA) and how you have made investments and efforts to exceed it. If I want a wall in my house perfectly flat, I can get it if I pay for it and the builder is willing to do it... otherwise it will be slightly warped everywhere because of the lumber, and that is normal. Some seams just can't be perfect without top polishing. You need to decide up front what your own installation standard is and clearly communicate that to the customer. If your standard does not include top polishing, then communicate how much extra that will cost if the customer needs it. Set and temper expectations. The work should meet or beat them for the best customer experience and that can't happen if you and the customer aren't on the same page.

With 2cm, you should be able to flatten most if not all seams with larger seam setters. With 3cm, you can still get it nice and flat, unless it is really warped, cupped/bowed, in which case you can only get most of the warp out. Then you need to decide whether to leave the rest, or get out your polisher. Smaller seam setters won't do it. They can join and level, but not flatten. Our Stealth Seamer has larger 8" cups and 4 levelers per unit. I'm not sure which one you have. If the stone is really bad, you can screw a 2x4 to the back wall studs and shim under it to push the high side down, then scoot the other two seamers forward. This can give you more pressure toward the front and middle if needed. Give me a call if you have any questions regarding any of this.

A note on warped material:
We've been hearing a lot more about warped slabs and how they are getting worse.
This has increased over the last 10 years.
I think more often these days the slabs are cut warped. This could be the increasing popularity of multi-wire saws that are replacing aging blade gang saws. Maybe the diamond cables are veering when hitting hard and soft spots and also the workers rushing slab production and not paying attention to proper tension.
This was an article I found a long time from StoneBusiness about this...
http://www.stonebusiness.us/index.php?o ... Itemid=192

Obviously for engineered stone, gang saws don't play a roll. But they are often warped too. It seems like the heat, tight bundles, proper storage etc. probably matter more. Maybe also internal stresses while cooling. I don't know, this is just a guess.

So, the gist of my thoughts here is that there are a lot of things against you, and often very high or unrealistic expectations. The key is educating your customers and good communication before the job and all along the way. And keep doing your best.

I hope this helps!

[Jonovdh]

Thanks for the response. Yes we have that seam setter.

What is MIA?

[Dan R.]

To add to Larry's idea of the wood on the back to add more leverage, a clamp on the very front will add more leverage.

[luke getz]

MIA is the marble institute of america

[Mark Meriaux]

Currently called MIA+BSI (we are near the end of a 2-year joint venture)
https://www.marble-institute.com/

Look for a unified organization (and new name/logo) once the merge finalizes.

[Omni Cubed Larry]

To add to Larry's idea of the wood on the back to add more leverage, a clamp on the very front will add more leverage.

Dan, thanks for reminding me!!

Probably about 10 years ago, James D. was using our 10" Lam-Clamp (with two clamps on it) in the front just for this reason. He said we should make it into a product. Well, we finally got around to it.
Thanks James!

You can use it with other seam setters to get more leverage, or you can use it by itself. It is also great for seaming at a sink cutout and helps take the "twist" that sometimes happens to the sink rails after being cut. It does allow for fine-tune leveling just like our seam setters do.

Edge Seamer
http://omnicubed.com/index.php?route=pr ... uct_id=295

Omni Cubed Edge Seamer

EdgeSeamerCollageWeb.jpg (92.56KiB)Viewed 662 times

You will probably recognize it as a baby Sink Hole Saver. It basically is, but with a whole new purpose. And it works awesome.
P.S. We are working on a better solution for the back side too.