Looking for help testing new tools...

rhardman

Cory found some faint scratches in one of the surfaces which we determined was caused by me setting the piece down on a rough surface after dismantling the pump. No big deal but he certainly drove the point home with me. Easy solution, we'll include a tool kit with a foam pad with each system for rebuilding in the field.

After I put everything together and started pumping, the hose bound and suddenly exploded (through the end of the ball valve). Looks like before the valves jammed from the large rock (discussed in my previous post), sand had been pumped into the hose where it lodged tight.

After the hose cleared we changed the mix to straight Beadex AP mixed thick enough to run metal. We're at 4-5 times normal speed and it's doing fine. The pump gets a little warmer a little quicker, because it has to work harder for the thick mud. Certainly within a safe range.

Other than my minor stratches, seals and wear surfaces show no sign of fatigue.

Cory is beginning the process of "designing for manufacturability" for the pump. We're going to double the seal configuration we are currently testing (with) to ensure even longer durability. That is after we make sure that with double the seal capacity, they are still being lubricated and the back up set is not running dry.
__________________________________________

Waiting on parts for the mesh taper...

Rick

Wednesday evening update: Tonight we'll pass 1,072,800 valve cycles.

rhardman

Sunday evening: Still pumping strong...
Found some seals I came up with a long time ago.
After we finish up the current test I'll plug the old ones in to see how they hold up.
If they're good, I may incorporate the 2 types.

Gears are showing no sign of wear.

401.75 hours so far.

Rick

Masterpiece

I'm not a full time taper/finisher but love tools that make things easier, especially cool concepts. That mesh taper looks really nice. Was there ever a decision to adapt it for paper or is that down the road possibly still? I know there are specific paper taping tools already but just curious...

Site's looking good a well...


Jeremy

jmr

awesome mixer! still need testers? haha

jmr

that curved 'u' like pan with legs is relatively the same as my dads... he had it in the early '90s and didn't have the money to patent it. he made the mistake of letting a few use it (with only a poor mans patent) and i think that may have been how it got out. we bought marshalltowns to compare with his and theirs is WAY to cumbersome and kinda cheap.
my dad's is much more streamlined.. its been over 15 years so i'm sure he doesn't have a case against them but we have a few other ideas in the works that we are working on getting at least a provisional patent

rhardman

Thanks Jeremy,

The mesh taper is really wild.* There are more things I'm having to revise to get the costs down but should be able to get them out by Monday. We can make it handle dry paper tape easy if that's what you mean but our next model will be used as a detail/hand taper for CFS. I'm talking to 2 companies about adapting their boxes and corner tools to our Raptor spray machine. Years ago I designed an adapter for the Automatic Taper that would allow it to run virtually weightless all day without refilling. I'll get back to that when I have some time. I don't think it would be too tough to make it work. Question is whether anyone would want it or not. We also want to allow guys to send their tools to us so we can adapt them to our texture machine. That way they have full CFS capabilities at very little expense. Seems to me that would make the Raptor even more attractive.

*I made one mistake by already sending out the 2 mesh tapers. I need to have a Youtube video posted before any more reviews come in. Just pulling it out of the box doesn't give any indication of the best way to run it. It's not used like you might think. Done properly, it's a screamer!

You like new "stuff?" We're going to have a tab on our site called "Friends" that will show the latest technology tools.

This is a new neck support that is supposed to relieve strain. I've requested a sample so we can test it out before we endorse it.

Neck support.JPG


Rick

rhardman

'fraid not. All the proto's are gone. Once the site launches, send your DrywallTalk user name to me thru the contact page and I'll get you a smokin discount.

(Hit another stall on the site...I think the designer is on a cruise somewhere. We're also still trying to get the mfg costs lower so we don't want to list the prices until the last second.)

Rick

rhardman

JMR,

Yea, seeing something in the market you thought of is frustrating. We're going to offer the chance for "inventors" to sell their tools on our site after we get down the road a bit. The problem comes in when someone might want to make something similar to what we are already developing so it can get a bit sticky (with 18 tools on our plate). For instance, I can't look at anything pan related for a while. Our "Man Pan" has been put on hold until I can get some decent mfg prices in lower than 3000 pc quantities. I really think I have something cool here and can't send it out for reviews until everything is rock solid in every respect. On another front, I'm working with Kiwiman on something he designed that compliments our tools. Even at that though, he must be getting a bit frustrated with me as we have to prioritize our own tools first (I'll touch base next week Kiwi).

Kevin also has ideas for new tools.

One thing that really helped me learn about patents was doing searches and reading a couple of Nolo's books. There's a good article at: http://www.nolo.com/legal-encycloped...cle-29856.html

I'm great at doing the patent searches but learning to understand them took some time. That only came after paying a ton of money to the "professionals" and then realizing that if you don't work in the field of the invention, you don't really know what to look for outside of the piece that's being addressed. Get well versed before you talk to an attorney. The provisional will only protect you for a year and some patent attorneys are not very good so you have to be sharp.

Go to http://www.google.com/patents and start playing around searching for patents. It's fun.

PM me if I can help. I'll respond immediately but much more than that will take some time. I'm kind of busy with some other things right now...

Rick

rhardman

The pump is working great. 2 more days of testing before the trial period is over and then I'll tear it apart and take it to Cory.

After I get the redesigned pump back from Cory, I need to rebuild the unit into a more user friendly version and so the pump fits in it properly. The proto is coyote ugly. It started as a 120 VAC pump and evolved into the Terminator.

I've designed several different stand up and laying down versions.

I'm leaning this direction...

HSI Texture Proto 7.JPG

I should be able to make it less than 18 inches tall.

Rick
Admittedly, I think I left a couple of details out of the drawing...but that's the general idea.

A+ Texture LLC

Rick, you got me on pins and needles with this "Man Pan". Can't wait to see it. BTW I think the adapter to run a regular bazooka off the texture machine is a really good idea.

rhardman

A+, As soon as the pan is cleared, we'll send them out. I'll keep you up to date with its progress. Believe me, I want to hear what you guy's think of it!
Have you tried the mesh taper yet? Good or bad, feel free to post.
__________________________________________________ _________
Raptor pump: We've completed the preliminary alpha testing which equals 3 months of use 5 days a week, 8 hours a day. The thinking is that with 12 weeks @ 100% 8 hour/day usage, a quick change seal package will not over burden the user (when comparing the <50 minute replacement time to the overall benefits the system offers). It's a machine so every 90 days the oil should be changed, compressor fluid checked and the belts given a good look over anyway.

Analysis: To the naked eye, the seals don't show any sign of wear. There is also no significant sign of use on any bearing (valve) area or on the gear surfaces either.

Confirmation: We will now take the pump to another facility to test the (used) seals under 3500 psi back pressure to check for any significant reverse leakage. After that all seals and bearing surfaces will be taken to a local university for a more thorough analysis of the wearing areas and the seal mating surfaces.

Conclusion: After receiving the conclusion from the school, I'll post the actual results so everyone has the true evaluation of our testing.

Good, bad or ugly....you'll get the real story.

In the meantime I'll be putting the next texture unit together for on site evaluation and demonstrations.

The first model with be gas powered, electric start, include 100ft of hose (it will have 150ft pumping capacity) 3 gallon/minute mud flow, 12 cfm compressor with the quick clean/fast set up accessories. Colors will be candy orange, polished aluminum and gloss black.

The CFS thing is also looking good as I have a gentlemens agreement with one of the automatic tool mfrs (name to remain confidential at their request) to purchase their boxes and corner tools to adapt to the Raptor Texture machines.

I've decided that rather than offer 3 different generic Raptor systems, we'll custom build them to your specific needs. For instance, you can get a system with 220 VAC, Gas (electric start) engine, compressors in either 6 cfm, 12 cfm or 20 cfm, and a pumping distance of 50ft, 100ft, 150ft or 200ft.

Then of course you can order our CFS tools or you can send your own automatic tools in to be retrofitted to the system. The coupling system will be removable to you can always use them manually.

Rick
We're also working on relationship that would allow you to drop the system off locally for a 24 hour emergency repair if for some reason, it is needed.)

Quality1st

You are an extrordinary individual my friend. I,m just wondering who i s going to buy your innovations to our industries when there is no work whatsoever. Just a heads-up.

rhardman

I've been through this before between 1979-83. There is work out there but mostly for large industrial jobs, custom homes or commercial projects. Bidding is the tightest it's been in over 25 years and the jobs are going to too many guys just happy to make wages.

Here's what I'm doing...

From the first day with the paddles I've wanted absolute honesty with public evaluations so everyone could see who I am and what we are about. I've always said the hand tools are good but our main advantages will come later after our pump is proven. I've been as honest as I can in every situation so when we come out with our bigger tools, you will believe our claims. The first real test of our ultimate plan is the completion of the Raptor pump. Once that is proven it will texture and paint but it will also do much more than that which I can't reveal quite yet.

Once it's ready for sale, if you need a texture machine consider ours because the later benefits will be available as accessories to bolt up to the texture machines. The early Raptor machines will be the most cost effective we will ever offer and when our full line of tools are available, you will be able to bid to get the job and you will make more profit than you probably ever have on a consistent basis.

We are only going for 15% of the market and will protect our customers and their margins for as long as they choose to work with us. These new tools are more like indestructible instruments* so throwing them around or leaving them in a bucket of old mud will just not do. If you respect them, they will last for years without a problem. These later tools have been functional for years, just waiting for the pump to be finished up.

The slow building environment is absolutely perfect for us. Rumor has it that Ames will be introducing a new CFS system which will only make our system that much more attractive.

We're running lean and deliberate. No Venture Capital so we can operate the company the way drywall contractors need it to be done and so we can take the time to do it correctly. VC requires SALES, SALES, SALES, NOW, NOW, NOW which causes you to *hore your values to keep your company. It's slow starting for us but since it's beginnings with my dad in 77, you can bet that we're committed to completing the journey. My partners (except Cory) have been with me for over 7 years already.

Remember all of the times (in earlier posts) where I've said you wouldn't believe our ultimate claim? Well here it is...

With our tools, your time on the job and your labor costs will be cut in half using the same materials and methods you are using right now. You will be able to skim coat an 8 foot wall 15 feet long in less than 10 minutes (remember the pump?). And you'll glide over those bad butt seams, hardly even noticing them.

The later tools are not gimmicks or funky attempts at a quick buck. Look at every tool I've introduced so far. They are better engineered than anything out there, they are made to clean easier, and they are ergonomically well thought out for over 30 years.

They are the true Next Generation of Drywall Finishing technology. (They are beyond CFS and...you get a bad-*ss texture machine too.)

That's why we're not worried about introducing them in a slow economy. They are never more needed than right now.

I remember my dad had a partner in Salem, Oregon in the 70's that saw the tools and shot his mouth off to the local contractors. In the beginning everyone got all excited and he (my dad) was the "Messiah From Afar." Then 90 days later when the pump died, they all thought he was crazy. We're not ready to launch everything yet and still have several months of beta testing to do before I can disclose the entire line. We also need to forge a relationship with a national mud company first.

I appreciate your patience and if we encounter unforeseen problems, I'll tell you openly and in detail. Hiding anything would only ruin our relationship with you.

Rick
*As for indestructibility...I guess we'll know for sure after Whitey97, "The Nate-in-ator" gets hold of them.


(I know what you're thinking..."This guy's gotta be full of poop!" If it turns out that I am, I'll be the first to tell you.)

akcajun

i'm loving the paddle.... can't wait to you start sending or selling other items..

Whitey97

I'm ready for it buddy

rhardman

Back pressure was good so Cory and I dismantled the pump entirely to see what secrets it held. We found the first reverse chamber had nearly worn completely through because of the abrasive nature of the mud. Hardened material but it still wore down. The high pressure certainly didn't help.

Running the pump for the 400+ hours really taught us some great lessons. We didn't discover anything scary or problematic, just surprising. We've decided not to use any outsourced subassemblies on the pump so we can better control delvery and warrantee issues. The company we've been dealing with gave me free assemblies so I'll have to come up with some way to reward their devotion to the project even though it doesn't look like we'll be able to work with them.

I pick up the seals tomorrow to get them analyzed. Upon even deeper inspection Cory didn't see any wear either. It will take a scope to see how much degradation has occurred.

Rick
Oh, a post or two ago I bragged, "They are better engineered than anything out there" . I didn't mean to be disrespectful to anyone. There are certainly fantastic designs continually being introduced (MarshallTown stilts, the automatic tool guys, Full Circle and others are continually improving things). But for unconventional, twisted and way out of the rhelm of conventional thought...we certainly have to be in the ranking .

rhardman

Had to delete my post, I shared a little too much about a new market we're pursuing.
I'll get back to it after we launch our tools. If Ames does have a new CFS line, they could grab the idea and be national before we get out of the gate.

Please accept my apologies...

Rick

(Friday night update: Randy, the new sales guy (that took my place) is really pounding me on being arrogant. It's a tough thing considering I can almost reveal a 32 year plan. If I come across a bit full of myself, be patient...I'll grow up. Thx. Randy received his neck brace shown above. He's not sure if he likes it yet, I get mine Tuesday or Wednesday. Their MSRP seems high at this point.)

rhardman

See next message...apparently I pressed "save" too soon.

rhardman

I got a call yesterday about the neck brace (above).

Seems we have a compatriot that is suffering some pain. After I see it later this week I'll send it to him for his review. He'll post his evaluation for everyone to see.

I can't do anything with the pump until Cory redesigns a couple of parts with a different alloy. When it's back I'll take everything out to some jobs to see how they perform. While I'm doing that he'll build the production model (of the pump). The texture capabilities are virtually established. I just want to see how much the seals have actually worn before we offer it for sale.

The pumping/texture system will be upgradable. So, if you order your machine and later decide you want a longer pumping distance or more air, we'll send you the parts so you beef up the system you already have. Everything is modular for easy replacement. I decided that for the first system we're going 75% of maximum capacity. Gas, 20cfm and 2 gpm at 150ft pumping distance. This will provide us with a more than adequate demonstration model for drywall or EIFS spraying.

We're also going to offer 2 different versions of the pump too. The first will be more than what is already out there as far as functionability and distance. It will have a 2-3 year life span (rebuild will only be $300.00 - $400.00 if you do it, probably $600-$700.00 if we do it) and pump at 3 gpm. We'll also offer a "super pump" that will last 7-8 years and pump 5-6 gpm (more than you really need but good for some other applications we're looking at). It will also pump over 250 feet. The system was created for the drywall contractor, it's our first and most important market. But after getting hurt and getting into sales in the geotechnical industry (I supplied the geotechnical instrumentation for the Canada Line Tunnel under False Creek in Vancouver BC and the Block 37 Tunnel in Chicago) I've realized that the pump will also push Bentonite clay and grout for geotech drillers. They don't have any sort of portable pumping system so we'll be testing that market too. The bigger pump is more applicable to their application. If you want it, we'll offer it at a fair price. But for them, since their jobs are frequently in the millions of dollars and we can save them a ton of money, we're going to add some pretty hefty margins.

Rick
The following picture really has nothing to do with anything.
But it certainly is a happy thought!!! detoured.JPG

A+ Texture LLC

Well Rick, if you you get beat to the market by a huge profit mongering company you will still always have your place in the market. Believe it or not, to some, quality actually is more important than quantity. Tapetech is not what it used to be (case in point... the out of square tapetech angle head thread) and you've definately proved yourself (albeit maybe a little over the top) as someone who is really quality oriented about their products. As for the arrogance... maybe but so far you've turned out some pretty good products. Maybe a little arrogance is in order.
And regarding the taper, I haven't used it again thinking I'd wait for the new blade. However I have a job next week I'll use it on and give you a final report.