poor carpentry – now I’ve seen it all.
We’ve all seen it – sloppy carpentry jobs, poor tile jobs, dangerous structures that you are amazed that they are still standing.
But what I saw today as far as trim carpentry has to take the cake.
got called in to do the “fix” up carpenrty; and found door casing with 1/2″ reveal on head casing. side casing that starts at about 3/8″ and tapers down to 1/8″
casing split wide open and left as is. ( I mean WIDE open and left flopping around at the bottom. )
a tile job that I cant’ even describe….
ect…ect..the list goes on….
But heres the one that really got me.
The guy had run the casing down to the base, but the base was a bit to long…..the solution – lol – “Gee I’ll run the casing over top of the base” LOL …and this was a guy they paid!!
I’m looking at the gap at the back of the casing, I know we get a gap there sometimes but never that big and it usually disappears with a smooth bead of calking.
The guy had a couple blobs of calking …. no I mean actual blobs! and only in a couple of random spots. but I still could not get over that he had run the casing over top of the basboard! and just on the one side lol.
ok… lets hear em …beat that one.
Replies
I was installing some casing, but the base was too long so I just....
Nevermind.
Yeah, someone SHOULD beat that one.
Beat him with a REALLY big stick.
Cmon,
This needs pictures. All bad carpentry stories need good pictures...
I took some but I have no clue how to get em on the net.
When you are writing a message below the message window is an Attach Files Button.That will popup a window where you can select the file on your computer to upload.Once it starts uploading wait for it to say done.It is best if you resize it to about 50k-100k for those on dialup.
1st I will have to get the pictures on my computer, which Ithink I can do. Then I will try to upload them.
how do you resize?
If you have camara software or many "graphics" programs will off it.There is also a freeway program that I can't remember the name of, but someone will mention it shortly.
Irfanview?
"Irfan" is the program we mostly use round here - I'd send "iview" but it has the 'exe' extention; so google it, it's worthwhile in many respects.All the best...
To those who know - this may be obvious. To those who don't - I hope I've helped.
piko -
you can rename iview.exe to iview.txt to send it without alarming most spam filters or virus checkers. The recipient then renames it back to iview.exe and runs the program.
Just make sure you both have file extensions enabled on your computer. Otherwise you might only see "iview", with no extension, so you name it "iview.txt", which makes the actual filename "iview.txt.exe", which accomplishes nothing, because it still gets recognized as an executable and gets stripped by security programs.
Or you'll get it renamed and emailed successfully, but your recipient sees "iview", and renames it to "iview.exe", which is actually "iview.exe.txt", and when he double-clicks to open, he just gets a jumbled mess of junk in his text editor... :-)
Thanks - but my head is spinning! I wish I hadn't said anything :-)All the best...
To those who know - this may be obvious. To those who don't - I hope I've helped.
If you can get them on yer puter and have difficulty getting them to post you can send them to me and I'll post them.
If you can get them to post don't worry about the size right now, as someone can copy and shrink them down to repost.
AN HONEST MANS PILLOW IS HIS PIECE OF MIND.-Laumonster '06
K ...thnks..after the boys are settled for the night I'll try figure it out. I've got a DV camera and it did come with some software. so I'll try and load it and go from there.
now I wish I took so more shots, I only quick snapped a couple.
cant find the software...my sister was here and borrowed it for her lap top.
But now she is back in Toronto, I texted her to see if she knows where it is, but it's kinda later there.
I'd really like to be able to post some shots, as I've got lots of nice photos of some really cool jobs.
Irfanview will work and so will the default viewer...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
K...I'll try that tonight...my sis doesn't know where the software is.
I think what folks are trying to tell you is ... you don't need the software that came with the camera ... probably. Just connect the cable bwteeen the computer and the camera, turn on the camera, and some generic software already loaded should popup on the screen. It's worth a try. I think even Explorer has a photo application.
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
just got home, have to hang with the kids.....after they go to bed a gotta quick go shoot in some trim that I cut today.
so later tonight, I'll give it a try without the software...I do have the cable so I know I can plug in.
thanks all for the tips I've always wished I could post some pics. I've had the privilage of working on some pretty cool stuff, including some award winners. now I finally got this DV camera Just haven't learned how to do everything with it yet.
when I do sort it out I'll have to get back in there and take some more shots as I have only one decent picture.
you have the owners manual for the camera...
you may have to set a setting on the camera so that pics are able to transfer..
I use a card reader and Irfanview...
now that is cake and pie...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
I've seen a house where some trusses were sitting on just the door frame. They had removed the header to make room for the oversized door.
It discusts me to see the way some people will take advantage of others. These people should be held accountable.
If you are looking for software for your camera, try doing a search for the name of your camera. Often times you'll find the software downloadable for free.
I'm thinking he can't download to the computer yet.
AN HONEST MANS PILLOW IS HIS PIECE OF MIND.-Laumonster '06
if he can link the camera to the 'puter he's got it.
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
Well, if you'd like to prep up for the later time
http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=24441.1
is an old thread here on Breaktime that includes a lot of data on posting pics and the Irfanview download.
Dialup patrons of the forum cannot download real large files or it will take an excessive amount of time.
Two things are necessary to assist the dialups with your photos. Making sure that the set file association is set to jpgs if you are using the Irfanview system.
The other is to keep the KB picture size to preferably 50 to 75 KBs or at least under 100KBs.
cheers
AN HONEST MANS PILLOW IS HIS PIECE OF MIND.-Laumonster '06
Having a cheap digital camera around to take before and after pictures is a good idea, along with photos (showing date preferably) of any issues that arise and that may come back to haunt you later.1 - measure the board twice, 2 - cut it once, 3 - measure the space where it is supposed to go 4 - get a new board and go back to step 1
YOU HAVEN'T SEEN IT ALL!!. You would not believe some of the garbage hook-ups people get paid for.
?!...did I warrant for you to yell at me?
" I've seen it all" is an experssion."
obviously I haven't been to all corners of the globe to view every attempt at carpentry know to exist...lol
Edited 8/24/2006 10:27 pm ET by alrightythen
I wasn't yelling, I was trying to emphasize that you are not the only one that has been in this situation. I could tell stories.....
dang man, we like stories so do tell:o)
be do tell
AN HONEST MANS PILLOW IS HIS PIECE OF MIND.-Laumonster '06
oh...ok well just FYI... when one types in all caps it is meant to be interpted as yelling or shouting.
did my post come accross as my saying that I think I'm the only one who has seen this sort of thing?
I believe I started it, something to the effect of " we have all seen poor jobs.... etc etc "
and I seem to recall ending it by inviting others to tell their stories....
"I could tell stories....."
please do.
I thought this might be an interesting thread where we could share some of the stuff we've seen and shake our heads and have a good laugh at the same time.
You seem to have taken my post very seriously, instead of having a chuckle and indulging us with some of the crazy stuff you have come across.
anyway...peace out.
And the yuppies buy this crap because they are getting a -this large of a house for only this much - no concept what so ever of craftmaship or material quality just big and cheep to keep up with the jones. Makes me sick
A Message From the Low Bidder:
Dear Cherished Customer,
Thank you for hiring us. We look forward to saving you a lot of money compared with all the other contractors who submitted quotes. As for your inquiry as to how we can charge so much less than everyone else, I welcome this opportunity to explain how we operate. You see, unlike many of our competitors, we don't believe in paying top dollar to employees. There are so many people looking for work these days, it's pretty easy to find some desperate enough to work for far less than they're worth. If they start complaining, we just get rid of them and find replacements in a few days. Most jobs get disrupted just a little bit. Besides, we don't look to hire the best workers. Most of the work required for your project can be performed by people with almost no skills. (In fact, if you care to do some of it yourself, I can save you even more money.) Heck, I've learned that some of the best employees don't even speak English. They work cheapest of all and never sass the boss. Most of the time they can figure out my hand signals telling them what to do. If anything complicated does arise, that's what I'm here for. It may take a few days for me to get around to check out your job, but with all the money you're saving, I'm sure you won't mind the wait.
Not only don't we pay our employees very much, we offer no benefits, because that adds way too much to overhead. Our employees know that if they get sick and can't work, they don't make any money. So you can rest assured that they'll show up at your job even if they come down with pneumonia or TB. I'll tell you something else -- our installers and technicians work fast. A lot of contractors tell their crews to hang around jobs forever making sure everything is just right. Experienced as I am, I know exactly when something is just good enough to get by. That's when we call it a job. Think of all the money you save with us not worrying about frilly details.
Another thing is, we know how to cut through all that government paperwork. Most rules and regulations make no sense. For instance, everyone in the construction industry knows that hardly anyone ever gets caught working without a permit or trade licenses. The money we save by avoiding these technicalities gets passed on to you. We also cut corners with code requirements & standards at every opportunity. Standards do nothing but jack up the price of a project. By substituting cheaper materials and ignoring labor-intensive procedures required to meet code, we are able to charge much less than those suckers who operate by the book. Insurance is another area where we realize big savings. How many jobs do you ever hear of where there's a payoff? Insurance is nothing but money down the drain. If something does go wrong, you can always sue us. What more protection do you need than that?
I'll let you in on another inside secret. We cleverly save you money by not paying all of our bills. Our company has accounts at about a dozen supply houses around town, and we never pay for material unless we absolutely have to. Most wholesalers will carry us for 60 or 90 days before they start nagging me about payment. Then I can usually string them along for another few months with promises or token payments. If one supplier cuts us off, I simply take my business to the others and go through the same routine. It's a game that real sharp contractors like myself have refined to an art form. You ought to be proud to have your job done by an artist!
Something else that separates us from the pack is that we're not a bunch of namby-pambies hung up on safety concerns. Accidents will happen, so why bother trying to prevent them! Some contractors worry more about their trades people getting hurt than they do about getting the job done fast. Believe me, hard hats, eye shields and work gloves only slow people down. So we don't supply those things to our workers. Here's where we gain another advantage by hiring a bunch of people who don't speak English. They can't read warning signs that might make them too cautious. This saves you money.
Also, I'm sure you noticed that when you called me you reached an answering machine, not some secretary costing over $10,000 a year. Sorry that it took me so long to get back to you, but that's the price you pay for saving money. You may have also noticed that our trucks are run-down, our tools worn out and this letter is being written on a 1950s vintage manual typewriter. Our philosophy is to make do with whatever is already paid for, no matter how old. That's another reason we can charge you so much less.
Nor do we waste money on association dues and educational seminars like some of our high-fluting competitors. Believe me, I've been in this business for more than 20 years and I learned everything anyone needs to know in my first two years of apprenticeship. If it was good enough for my daddy and granddaddy, it's good enough for you. By the way, did I mention that we guarantee our work. Just make sure you catch what's wrong before the job is done, because at the prices we charge, we can't afford any call backs. Thank you once again for letting us do your work. We're happy to be the low bidder. I'm sure you'll get your money's worth.
Sincerely, The Low Bidder
LOL
I think I'm going to save that one for those special customers.
This is what every contractor has wanted to say to a customer after losing an quote to a individual and his station wagon and his buddy! Well done I have this printed on my office wall.
Bustaduke
That was one of the finest pieces of satire that I have ever seen on the whole internet. Did you write that or paste it from somewhere else? If you really wrote that then you are one pearl among swine. Not excepting myself of course.Mike Callahan, Lake Tahoe, Ca.
Mike I didn't write it but I sure as hell thought that way a few times lol. I picked it up off the net but I don't remember what site.busta
Only funny because it's true.Motto for the letterhead; "We screw the other guy and pass the savings on to you."Additional cost saving strategies; You don't need metal framing connectors, that is just a conspiracy by the manufacturer and code officials to sell product. Besides, the wind never hits 80 mph around here, and we aren't getting inspected anyway. My grandfather never used them.Flashing around windows is a waste of time and money. We did without it for years.You don't need all those anchor bolts -- they just slow us down. Look at how much the house weighs -- it ain't goin' anywheres. We nail it down.You don't need 3,500 psi concrete -- 2,500 is fine, and you really don't need all that rebar.I can pay my guys less because they don't need to make that much. They don't have a lot of bills. But they do need to be off the job by 4:30 or they won't be able to get out on work-release anymore.
Let's see if this one qualifies.
The guy dug the footing 3" deep. He had bowed 2 X 4's for forms. The steel for the footings was zigzaging in between the forms because, the steel was 6" to 14" long, the pieces ends were 1/2 away from each other held by tie wires and if the would have lapped them, there would have not been enough of them.
yeah... but no one will see it aftwards lol....
It's one thing when I guy does shoddy work but... he still has the mentality...it it will get covered up, so no one will see it..... still makes me shake my head...
Then there is the guy, who does his work for the world to see, and has no qualms asking to get paid...lol
I was remodeling a bedroom closet in an old house and noticed a ding in the floor. Upon inspection I discovered that the 'floor' was 1/2" drywall. This same place had HD belly casing for base board.
lol....actually I recently found a house that had drywall for it's sheathing. I know somethimes it's called for as a fire stop, but in conjunction with regular sheathing.
I then found a another house with no sheathing..paper only, then siding nailed to studs.
I then found a another house with no sheathing..paper only, then siding nailed to studs.
I wrote about this before, but we were to install cabinets in a house and after I ripped out the old ones, the wall looked damp, so took off the drywall and the fiberglass insulation was sopping wet. Took out the insulation and am looking at the back of the aluminum siding! It was raining outside and water was running down the inside of the siding! The studs were all rotted and we had to replace them, as well as the ends of the floor joists and about two feet of the subfloor, the rim joist, the plates and the ends of the roof rafters and ceiling joists. The vent stack went smack through the valley of the roof, located just above where I was working. No overhang. Guy I work with moved the vent stack up the valley as far as he could get it and replaced several shingles.
A big window was held in only by the siding. That window was supposed to stay, so IIRC, we framed around it to hold it in place. A woman had bought this house to flip. After a week of work, we went back to putting in the cabinets! It was funny too, because here we are ripping out rotted studs, replacing windows and surrounding drywall and the lady is "helping" by painting the walls! I had to repaint most of what she had done, because, of course, when you take an old, leaking, improperly installed windows out of a freshly painted wall, you do considerable damage to the new paint job--as the drywall is falling apart like wet oatmeal, etc.!
wow... I am completely speechless on that one.Justin Fink - FHB Editorial
Your Friendly Neighborhood Moderator
I was trimming out the interior of a house casing, crown, base, etc. and the "counter-top guy" comes in to template the kitchen cabs for the Corian.
He uses verrrrrry thin pieces of cardboard for the templates. Installs the tops, then the 1/2" backsplash.
Client asks me to come take a look a the zig-zag gap where the backsplash meets the counter-top.
I ask the "counter-top guy": "Why aren't there 1/2 x 1/2 scribe strips glued to the backsplash"? and "Why wasn't 1/4" ply used for the templates"?
He responds with: "There's only so much you can do with a template".
Another classic...
oh I can't wait to see these pictures!!
Justin Fink - FHB Editorial
Your Friendly Neighborhood Moderator
K all I hope this worked....I might have done it twice...sorry same pic. sorry it's the only shot I have... when I get back in there I'll take some more
wow...It worked...thnks all you guys for your help to get this figured out.
turns out there was a default program " Adobe" I sort of stumbled thru it, but anyways theres your photo... "how not to run door trim 101"
I also love the transition; piece of fir, doesn't even cover the carpet - hard to see, but the frayed edge of the carpet goes up to it and sit above it.
PS...I'll post something that looks a liitle nicer, just for fun, in the photos section,
look under "garden tea house"
Edited 8/26/2006 4:55 am ET by alrightythen
Wow, a picture is worth a thousand words.
The original description sounded almost to outlandish, but there it is.
Can you imagine stepping back after that installation and thinking "looks good enough"?
BTW, the tea garden looks nice. Mike
Trust in God, but row away from the rocks.
I know I can't even fathom what goes thru a guys head to do something like that. The funny part is the home onwner didn't even know 'till I pointed it out.
near the top he half he attempted calking that in, that in itself is too funny.
Awesome,
I knoew I was visualizing it right. Good job on the pics.
Thnks...don't think I would have even tried to get any pictures on with our all the support...thanks again guys.
That makes me sick... and a little pizzed to know that the butcher got money for it.
Another great example of ACE capentry, (Awwwww, Close Enough)PJ
Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end.