I’ve been looking around but was wondering about glass quality and detection. I have a couple of questions.
Anyone have any hints for some looking to pick a glass factory. For example, when going through a glassing factory are there anything, obvious and not obvious that should be looked for if one is doing diligence on that factory to run one’s boards?
Also, what things can you think of when looking at boards coming from that factory that would be worth noting when trying to determine the quality control of the glass job?
Look at some finished boards. Look for air bubbles in the glassjob, rough sanding marks not smoothed out, non-symetrical rails, crooked laminates, hard edges around the tail etc…
Check the finished boards, feedback from guys who ride them, even check the actual state of the workshop. There is no real excuse for a disorganised messy work place, its generally that way due to disinterest and laziness.
I know some good boards come out of hell-holes, but if the factory is a pig sty then take a closer look at the small details, clean fabric and resin storage and mixing. Are the guys working there happy, attitudes speak volumes.
All good advice but at the end of the tour, make sure you ask for referenences. Polling their current customers and clients will give real insight to the way they conduct themselves.
Do they meet time lines and schedules, are they good at problem resolution, is their pricing consistent job to job, are they nice people to deal with, etc, etc. Ask for examples to their responses.
Cigarette butts on the floor are a bad sign unless they have been stepped on.Cheap beer cans are also a bad sign…if it is something like Heineken you are OK.Resin “drip mountains” around the racks should not exceed 27.5 inches.Good glass shops use paper tubs to pour resin.If they are using Yoohoo bottles or McDonalds cups you might want to think.If the glasser uses the word “dude” a lot you may want to think.The bathroom (if there is one) should be cleaned yearly.If the glasser’s resin covered shoes don’t weigh at least 23 pounds he is probably an amatuer.All pro glassers use cheap bisqueen plastic aprons held on with masking tape.If the glasser looks at you like a low down piece of dung and yells “Hey Man I’m busy!Keep your hands off that board Kook!”…you are in the right place. RB
HowzitMr. Clean, My 23 lb shoes add to my exerciseing when going up and down the stairs, But the resin mound around my racks is only 20" high so I've got to do more boards . Aloha,Kokua
I hate when the resin hardens on the bottom of my sneakers - giving 'em a nice slick gloss coat. After a couple of close calls going down steps, I started hitting 'em with 60 grit every so often.