I have a job that has some 4 lighted wood windows with the sashes. Customer wants them” worked over”. I always call the order desk and order new ones . Any thoughts? Im thinking its not worth buying the bits .
Tim Mooney
I have a job that has some 4 lighted wood windows with the sashes. Customer wants them” worked over”. I always call the order desk and order new ones . Any thoughts? Im thinking its not worth buying the bits .
Tim Mooney
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Replies
What do they need done to them, Tim?
Read down , you are asking back the same thing .
Tim Mooney
Two over two double hungs? Sash ropes and weights or balances? Rot or just reglaze and paint?
most times, they aren't worth it
Excellence is its own reward!
Two over two double hung . balanced.
They need rebuilding , or replacement on some. They want them fixed . I see a rail and stile bit and some kind of bit to match the pattern you look at on the inside . Their thinking is that I can have it done while Im there working on other things and they wont have to wait . I see a lot of labor that I could better adjust to new ones , but new ones wouldnt match the rest that are fine. Judgement call I guess , but its gonna be expensive if I do it with all that cutting , routing , fitting , sanding and finishing . I used to help dad build some when I was young . He used to build all the windows until metal took over and even then he was the man in town to repair and fix the old ones. He used to build wood doors too . Its been too long for me to remember the time , but I think it was a very long time in a shop. I nearly rebuilt my own garage door panel and opted for a metal door. Im kind of sorry I didnt now because I would be bited up right now to do the job. Its a week end job now at any rate because Im taping a mall full time . I wasnt finished with this job when the mall got ready for me. Ive still got a bunch of wood working tools there right now however in their shop. I guess I could tell them how expensive it will be, but Im not sure it will matter or I would have already told them . Seems like a milk barn thing to do to me as in milking .
Tim Mooney
Tim, it doesn't sound to me like you really want to do the windows, that right? If you don't want to, is there any reason why you need to? If not, just explain to the folks that you have your hands full and maybe they should find someone else (or better yet, recommend someone you know and trust.)
I can understand your reluctance to say no to a client; the hopes of any future work takes a nosedive when you do. But sometimes the job just isn't worth it. But if you decide to say yes, make darn sure you are adequately compensated for it.
(I hate those, 'while you're at it' jobs, especially when it's not even related to the work you're currently doing for them.)
I never met a tool I didn't like!
I told the customer it would be very expensive this morning. A lot more than new windows . I also told them why , but I would be happy to eat their groceries working on them if they so desired. I told them my main worry was the expense . The balls in their court . They didnt give an answer. You were right in thinking that I was thinking I wouldnt be making scale working on them and Im pretty busy making more than scale. I dont refer other tradesmen to my customers. Its better if they pick them and Im out of it.
Tim Mooney
Good luck. If you were close, I'd loan you my shaper and bits. But then, if you were close, you'd be the competition. : )
I never met a tool I didn't like!
If you were close, he could tell them it'll be3 expensive, then sub the miillwork job to you, rehang the rebuilt units himself with the new paint on, and make money without the frustration..
Excellence is its own reward!
Most of the time what you really are trying to do is save the old glass, (if these windows are that old). Another thing is some older window frames are thicker than what you can buy new, off the shelf. I don't think a small difference in the cutter style is that big of a deal.
One trick, if it could be an option, is to take the sash from the sides of the house that get the worst wear and swap them to the sides of the house that are more protected, or swap from the show rooms to some extra bedroom, etc.
Anyhow, you can deal with the sash that can be saved, for now, and offer to rebuild the others at a later date. Most likely, when they find out what either of the options cost, you could be off the hook. It isn't hard to spend $200 on one window that has a solidish frame, even in that funny Arkansas money.
"It isn't hard to spend $200 on one window that has a solidish frame, even in that funny Arkansas money"
hahaha!
Funny you mention it . They called back and wanted to know just "how damn expensive ", I was talking about . I said from 200 to 250 apeice for totally rebuilt . I contacted a friend of mine that has a shaper and the bits . He told me he would mill them and I could pick them up if I sold it. So Im off the hook either way.
Tim Mooney
Tim,
How about an arhitectural salvage yard. I found 2 sashes at one to match my windows, I have seen a lot of variety at the couple I went to. Also Hello to all, I am new here.
Ted
Ted we had one of those and the man died . I dont really know who to ask about it as he was the only one that saved stuff from houses he tore down. Welcome aboard and thanks for the reply.
Tim Mooney
Call rejuvenation hardware in Portland, OR to see what they have, or ask them about a similar place in your neck of the woods. More and more of this stuff, especially the old growth boards, is being salvaged.
tim... sounds like you hit on what i wudda wound up with..
i'da subbed the sash to a woodworkin shop .. then reglazed 'em..
Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Yep , thats exactly what happened . I must mention that every one is happy , or will be . I took the job for 225 a peice . Subbed the windows for 65.00 apeice . That gives me more than scale to work with and the guy building them is happy because its extra work at home. The customer will be happy when I get them in there .Hes going to have a bit cut at the machine shop to match and I will pay 50.00 of that and he keeps the bit. I love it when a deal comes together . Come to think of it Piffin already suggested it , but its happening.
Tim Mooney