I have been using Simpson epoxy tie for years but recently had an engineer call for Hilti epoxy. The cartidges and the gun are extremely expensive and engineers usually don’t take cost into account when designing stuff so I was wondering if there is a difference. I got a Hilti catalog but it seems so much more difficult to comprehend than the Simpson catalog. I’ve been satisfied with Simpson and if there’s no difference I’ll stick with them. Any comments?
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Don't give into the temptation ... varying from specs is a land-mine that can bite you bad.
Hindsight? You should have seen that and built it into your bit. Practically? If you were not given fair warning, you may have an opportunity to add the expense to your price.
Is there a difference? Only the specifier can make that call. What you do is submit a 'request for information.' Include with it any data you have that suggests that the product you want to use will do the job.
We started the job and there was some additional engineering. My clients are great and provide me with a lot of my work, I won't present a change order for something like this on this occasion. Just curious, I guess I thought that Simpson were the top of the line.
You might just want to ask the engineer why he specified Hilti. Might be that was just what jumped into his mind at the moment. I've never had a brand name specified and have used both products.
I agree that $60 for an overgrown caulk gun is a bit much but it's made to fit their cartridges and to make them money. Both brands got my money.<G>
BTW, Hilti cartridges come with the nozzle and the distributor will most often give you an extra, if you ask. Simpson cartridges don't come with a nozzle and must be purchased separately.
"ask the engineer why he specified Hilti."Communicating!
Isn't that a refreshing idea!
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Shouldn't be a problem and shouldn't require a change order either, simply a signed doc. from the engineer approving what you suggest.
Here is what I do .
Go to the manufacturer 's website of the companies product you want to use, find the specs for engineers and archie's on the epoxy and bolts you want to use ( or are familiar with and have the equipment for) .
Either print them out or copy the link and send them to the engineer with a request for approval as an equivalent, explain the advantages to the job from your perspective.
Then call the manufacturer and have their local sales rep contact the engineer as a follow up, he/she will be happy to do it because it gets their product into the engineers hands and possibly into his spec book. (Plus you get bonus points from the rep for future trading stock.)
I have done this numerous times and each time the engineer readily approved my suggested product.
I use Fastenal's Epcon A-7 because it will allow use in wet conditions and have had every engineer I dealt with approve it in place of both Simpson and Hilti.
As others have mentioned, if a product is equivalent, most architects and engineers will approve an alternative.
FYI, Hilti has an incrredible range of products and I have found there sales support to be top notch. If you buy in bulk, they give you the guns for free. I am also a big fan of many of their tools.
Bruce
I would look up the MSDS for both to compare the load ratings and then send a polite request for approval of change.
Most specs are written to "use #### or equivalent". That keeps them out of hot water and saves them having to go thru this.
Welcome to the
Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
where ...
Excellence is its own reward!
When I was looking at various epoxies for retrofitting concrete anchors, I learned that there was a variety of epoxies made by Simpson and Hilti, with different characteristics. While there may be a Simpson equivalent, it may not be exactly the one you normally use.
Tu stultus es
Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!
Look, just send me to my drawer. This whole talking-to-you thing is like double punishment.