Mark842 Posted December 23, 2017 Report Posted December 23, 2017 find a countertop dealer or a tombstone maker. I've had both either give me a piece they were throwing away or I traded some leather work for a nice slab Quote
Members Brooks125 Posted February 21, 2018 Members Report Posted February 21, 2018 I just picked up a piece from fiends of ours who sell counter tops, etc. He suggested quartz for the durability (I broke a piece of marble with a 3# dead blow hammer.) In talking to his wife, they pay several thousand a month to toss them in the dumpster because of the weight. It's a bad spot for them, the pieces usually aren't worth the cost to finish the edges (they finished mine on barter) and there isn't demand in most cases. They had 12x12x1.5 pieces cut and in stock, with a retail price of $50 ea. They have their newer finishers work on them for experience and to evaluate their skills. I'm looking forward to using it, as a work surface and my photo backdrop (it sparkles!). Quote "Be polite. Be professional..."
Members Sheilajeanne Posted February 21, 2018 Members Report Posted February 21, 2018 (edited) I just picked up a piece from fiends of ours who sell counter tops, etc... You know fiends?? That's the funniest typo I've seen this week! :D Nice score on the granite slab, but I think $50 is maybe a bit much for something they were going to throw out anyway... Edited February 21, 2018 by Sheilajeanne Quote
Members Brooks125 Posted February 22, 2018 Members Report Posted February 22, 2018 1 hour ago, Sheilajeanne said: I just picked up a piece from fiends of ours who sell counter tops, etc... You know fiends?? That's the funniest typo I've seen this week! :D Nice score on the granite slab, but I think $50 is maybe a bit much for something they were going to throw out anyway... Yeah, my FIENDS realize that. That's also Tandy's price on the same item. It's a tough call for them, having that much "idle assets" sitting around. She told me the finishing is worth more than the material at that point. Quote "Be polite. Be professional..."
bikermutt07 Posted February 22, 2018 Report Posted February 22, 2018 (edited) 4 hours ago, Brooks125 said: Yeah, my FIENDS realize that. That's also Tandy's price on the same item. It's a tough call for them, having that much "idle assets" sitting around. She told me the finishing is worth more than the material at that point. She isn't lying. It could easily take two hours of labor to cut, shape, and smooth that piece. Add in your tooling, insurance, and other overhead and 50 bucks is pretty reasonable. Not to mention the material probably cost them 10 bucks a foot. Even though it's waste, it still cost them in the beginning. Just for information's sake. Most people don't realize how much work is involved with smoothing out the cuts. When you cut a piece out the edges are rough. Then you have to round off the corners with a grinder. Run some stone wheels of different grits to flatten the cuts (the blade will drift sometimes) and smooth off the rough edges. Then you run thru at least 6 different polishing pads. Basically, anytime you fabricate or install granite, every bit of it sucks. It is dirty nasty work. The only part that doesn't suck is walking away with a satisfied customer. That's it, nothing else. Edited February 22, 2018 by bikermutt07 Quote I'm not paying 80 bucks for a belt!!! It's a strip of leather. How hard could it be? 4 years and 3 grand later.... I have a belt I can finally live with. Stitching is like gravy, it's only great if you make it every day. From Texas but in Bossier City, Louisiana.
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