Looking for help testing new tools...

Darren@Partners

The guys are loving the creaser roller and anxious to give the mesh tape gun a try. The creaser roller does give them an extra inch or so of reach. The thing they like the best is how it keeps the tape up on the roller when they get the bazooka a little off center. With the old wheel, getting off center causes the tape to slide off to one side or the other.

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rhardman

I just received a call from the final tester on the Creaser Wheel.

He likes it! It came with a new Auto Taper from one of the Mfr's for him to try out.

He mentioned the same advantages Tim0282 and Darren did.

Next products getting reviewed are the industrial Lift Grip, the Fiberglass Taper and then the new mud pan.

This pan is a little strange...and frankly a real puzzle for us. It will either be fantastic or junk...I like it...but I don't know what you guy's are going to think.

Rick

rhardman

Had a meeting yesterday with my partners (finance guy couldn't make it) and the machining/pump guru. The guru has accepted a part interest in the company in exchange for his development and manufacturing experience.

This is a major leap in our capabilities. Mine is a "self taught" approach to designing things. It has worked well for what you've seen and with the remaining small tools, that's been enough. The physical designs will always be mine but with the larger machines I don't have the long term experience with mechanisms, power generation, metallurgy, and so forth. He does. I tend to build with much larger engines and other systems than they need to be. Consequently, that would make them too expensive.

We have all agreed that we will be offering a lifetime warrantee on every tool we sell. Pump seals and wearing items won't be covered (as I'm sure you understand) but with the replacement times in under 20-30 minutes) I don't think that will be a problem.

We discussed the paddle and Whitey97's tendancy to keep the chuck loose (for quick removal) and we talked about different ways to solve the problem other than to make longer grooves. Cory (machinist) took a paddle and is looking it over.

I think the thing that really grabbed Cory's attention was the lifetime warrantee. This means we have to make the very best model of every tool we can come up with every single time without concern for profit. We have a real interesting group of guys here. We actually believe that if you make the very best tools you can, treat the customers with respect and perfect service, always focus on the ethics of business, you will in the long term, make more money than if you scrimp on costs and hide from responsibility.

For the first year we also want to provide some sort of stock in the company (for free) when someone purchases the mid or larger sized texture system. There are all sorts of laws involved but we'll figure it out. We will also be renting machines so you can try them out for a while before you decide to buy. If you end up as a long term renter, there will be a stock offering to you too (at no charge).

Many questions and logistics to be solved but we certainly have the desire to do it, the management team to execute the process, and (we believe) the products to make it happen.

Rick
(...this is turning out REALLY well!)

rhardman

Tool Update:

Our new policy to supply a lifetime warrantee on everything has caused a delay in getting the industrial Lift Grip, new pan and a couple of other things out for additional testing. We've had to make some improvements to how they are constructed.

They should be ready next week.

Whitey, the new paddle shaft will take a bit longer as the second piece I emailed you about requires more machining and we have to finish a couple of other things first.

Darren, I'm building you a new mesh taper that is nearly done; just waiting on some anodizing. I know I said I'd send the earlier prototype but with the possibility of that handle breaking, it's just not worth the risk. When the new pan is finished, we'll be sending one of those to you too. As I've said, it's "strange" and causes you to use it a bit differently than the old pans...so your evaluation will be very important to us.

Rick

Tim0282

You are talking about a new pan design. Have you seen the round bottom one Marshaltown came out with along with their knives? Kind of a curved handle on the knives. And the pan well.... it leaves a bit to be desired. Ah yes, I bought a set.... I am a sucker!! They are real bad. Bad as in not good, not bad as in real good.

Sir Mixalot

Very interesting!

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rhardman

Yea, I think I first saw their pan during the initial patent search.

You know...what these companies need to do is find someplace where they can ask the actual drywall guy's if their tools are *rap or not before they try selling them...


...

The tools below are just a few of the pan designs we found during our patent search... Gotta admire their efforts.
Pan patents for DWT.JPG

Tim0282

Tis a novel idea. Yet some of us still buy them... They just sit on the shelf and draw dust in our frustration because most of them are worthless. Yet another sale for the good guys...

silverstilts

have not seen the pans made by marshal town but did get the ones made by sheetrock I really like them , I don't care for the ones so much with the slip resistant on the bottom It is a good idea in theory but a little rough on the skin . Can't wait to see the one
Rick comes up with.....

silverstilts

Rick sent a creaser wheel over and I tell you all that it seems the design is just so simple yet an incredible little add on to your tube that will make running the angle much more easier.... I will not be able to give an honest opinion for a few days but looks very promising...like most of us we all knew for years there could have been an improvements on this design but no one stepped up ... thanks for stepping up Rick and I think you will do very well when it is out there for the general drywall population ... It will be a must add on , Don't be surprised if some of the tube makers out there contact you about manufacturing them for their own use... silverstilts aka the rock doctor

A+ Texture LLC

Well I had the opportunity to run my taper this week with the new wheel on it. As expected, it performed very well. It's definately a great product, kind of surprising one of the manufactures didn't think of it already. As stated already it does in fact prevent the tape from getting pushed into the corner. I also noticed that it leaves the tape at more of a 90 degree angle in the corner rather than more like a "V". This allows you to get the roller in there a littler easier without jacking the paper all up when you start to roll. Kudos on another great product rick.

Tim0282

I have one of the Sheetrock pans. I don't like that the corners are not square on the bottom. I don't think they clean out as easy.

rhardman

Pans should be ready to send out next week for evaluation. They are not the final configuration but will be good enough to see if you (already spoken with) testers like the general idea. If you do, then we'll get more serious.

Thank you for your patience, we've been working to get the new proto's put together for more evaluations. Deciding to have a lifetime warrantee has required us to beef up the designs.

Rick
P.S. Haven't received the pump back yet, taking care of some unforeseen timing issues.

Whitey97

Rick, I'm getting excited

A+ Texture LLC

So you are gonna offer a lifetime warranty on pans?? You drop them once and they got a jacked corner. If you beef them up too much they might be too heavy. Food for thought I guess. Still, I can't wait to get my hands on a "Man Pan".

rhardman

Jacked corner's won't be covered...and you're right A+, the first few pans would have been way too heavy the way I originally designed them.

We will warrantee the customer's complete satisfaction for a period of time, so if someone get's a tool they don't like, they can return it for a full refund (and a gift certificate to Starbucks). Along with the satisfaction warrantee, we'll cover each tools durability for life. But we can't cover "abuse" as some guys really beat the *rap out of their tools as a part of their normal work day.

Rick
Yea, A+ recommended the name, "Man Pan" a couple of weeks ago so we've adopted it.

silverstilts

Well all the complaining I did about the mixing paddle Rick talk me into trying one and giving him an honest opinion good or bad so here it goes . I have found out from my own personal experience that there are some good things such as I do like the light weight of the paddle , It does seem to create a nice smooth creamy like consistency (eliminating air trapped in the mud). It does mix relatively fast in a five gallon bucket . Mixes quick set nice and smooth no lumps. Those were the good points now for what I did not care for, mixing in a five gallon bucket the paddle did not seem balance so well , it would shake the bucket too much causing possible spillage over the top. It makes it hard when thinning down mud and the water shakes out, even thin mud will shake out. I did not think it mixed up in my 15 gallon hopper very fast it took me longer than with my cast mixing paddle. I also have a sheetrock brand mixer which is nice as far as being well balance. Especially when neatness counts and controlling spillage. So there are some very good points to using the new paddle and some not so negative ... overall I would go out and buy another, I think they will do real good on the market. Now for the creaser wheel, that was everything it was suppose to be, It does aid in laying the tape in the angles leaving it where it belongs, as far as adding any reach not so noticeable, good design, simple and effective.

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aka the rock doctor

looking 4 ast rig

Do you have any tools to help remvoe popcorn ceiling texture quicker easier (CLEANER)? If so im enterested please contact me http://www.ceilingsdrywallandmore.com

rhardman

Thank you Silver for the straight forward evaluation.

I don't think the paddle is unbalanced so much as the vibration is caused by the tremendous amount of mud that is being pushed around the bucket. To mix faster I did a ton of computer calculations to determine the amount of surface area the blade needed in comparison to the area of the holes. The powder hits the surface of the blade with some of it is forced above and below the blade with the remaining (powder) forced through the hole. Then the next rotation beats it up again.

Though...I can see how the 4 post Sheetock offers might rotate smoother.

I played with dual blades 90 degrees apart but found that the cleaning time became a problem.

When we launch the site we will be sure to offer a smaller blade which should take care of the radical mud displacement.

You didn't mention...did you find the cleaning to be easier? Did you try the "stomper" method for washing it up?

Rick
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In regard to the other note about a cleaning tool for removing popcorn...
I found the easiest method was to get a helper to use a 12 - 14 inch knife on stilts. Then I followed behind him doing a skip trowel texture.

Darren@Partners

If you spray with water (if unpainted), it will be much easier to scrape and create less dust. Beware of asbestos in acoustic older than 1984.

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