Mark 1'S Legendary Craftsmanship Helps Return Kansas Statehouse to Its Former Glory

GAZETTE www.slipperyrockgazette.net

V olume 24, Issue 287 The Beacon of the Stone Industry May 2018 Training & Education Quality at the Source: Do you want to improve the quality of your product? This is how to do it. he mentality of each Ed Hill and every operation in Synchronous Solutions Ta business must be that the product cannot move to the next step unless it is within the “Quality is not an quality tolerances established by the company. This means act, it is a habit.” that every operations employee should be held accountable for A personal signature should be their own quality and should be required on the paperwork and/ responsible to their downstream or on the actual piece indicating “customer” before any piece can that each production operator at move. every step has confirmed that the product is within tolerance. Final inspection alone of the The personal signature will add finished product will not suffice to the level of accountability and to achieve excellent quality. will help to ensure that errors are The quality of the product not compounded by additional Mark 1’s Legendary Craftsmanship Helps must be the responsibility of labor on a piece that may not each employee who works on meet the standards. The objec- Return Kansas Statehouse to Its Former Glory the job. It is important for the tive should be to find errors be- business owners to establish and fore they are moved through the ocated in the capitol city Peter Marcucci actually major changes in the maintain this principle within manufacturing process. of Topeka, the Kansas Photos Courtesy Mark 1 structure itself. More space was the company. Please turn to page 5 Statehouse has stood the needed for offices, but a sepa- L Restoration test of time since its completion rate building or addition would in 1903. Costing more than $3 take away the quaintness and million over a 37-year construc- charm. What they wound up tion period, the Kansas Statehouse carving of elements such as struc- doing was to build below-grade was built in three stages using tural angles, beams and dutchman offices around the perimeter local limestone. The classic repairs. A dutchman is a resto- that would blend in, explains central structure was designed by ration technique in which only Mark 1 Restoration vice presi- architect Edward Townsend Mix, a portion of the existing stone is dent, Scott Evett. “Construction while the east and west wings replaced. With a good color match of the below-ground offices had were designed by architect John and a tight joint, these types of re- taken place ahead of us. We then Gideon Haskell. pairs are virtually unnoticeable. worked in conjunction with the More importantly, once again, contractor that was doing all the Now fast-forward to 2008. A with patience and careful finish- other work. We coordinated our century’s worth of weather and ing to the highest standards, Mark work so we did not interfere with pollution had eaten into every 1 has breathed fresh life into this each other’s scope of work.” pore of its limestone facade. The magnificent structure, allowing it Careful planning and execution structure was showing its age to continue as a proud symbol of of all the prep work is key to any with fading details, crumbling el- the Kansas people and their state- job and was thought through at ements and leaking appendages. hood for another century. the time of bidding the job, said The solution – bring in Mark 1 Evett. “You have to understand Restoration. The Prep Work for a what your costs are and how Specializing in the cleaning and Four-Year Project much time you have before you repair of brick, stone, terracotta, The plans for the restoration start. For this particular project, marble, limestone and granite, had been in the making for many we didn’t have a whole lot of the company’s services extend years. There was a firm sched- time. Mark 1 provided custom-made, heavy-duty scaffolding for the Kansas into the fabrication, reshaping and ule, but many of the repairs were Please turn to page 12 Statehouse project to provide load bearing capacity for workers, tools, and stone to be placed.

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John and Marisue Pickering worked Below: A New Dawn Take a Walk on the Art Side with the University of Maine to Created by artist Johnny Turner establish The Sculpture Trail of New Zealand, A New Dawn is in 2016. one of three sculptures on campus hen you think of Peter Marcucci carved during the 2012 Scoodic Maine, what image Symposium. Maine granite affixed Photos Courtesy University to a basalt oval on a granite base. Wfirst comes to mind? of Maine Do you think of a picturesque fishing village with lobster boats? What about a pristine waterway them, but no problem, friend. The and cascading waterfall, or a fruits of these symposiums are al- mountain valley teeming with ways on exhibit at the University moose? Perhaps you’ve hiked, of Maine (UMaine) in Orono as explored mountain trails by horse well as areas throughout the state. or ATV in the fall, snowmobiled Known as “The Sculpture or snow-shoed in the winter, Trail,” these exhibits were created smelled maple sap cooking in by artists invited from all points the spring, or eaten yourself around the globe to show up and Rhino sick while picking wild berries make large-scale public art. All Artist: Hugh Lassen, in the summer? These are just artists who have attended these su- Maine A gift to the Buchanan a handful of what Maine has to per-organized symposiums have Alumni House from Hugh offer the millions of tourists who left their mark on Maine granite, and Jenny Lassen as part visit every year desiring a “New and beautifully. Finding Maine Winter Harbor, Maine has been instrumental in of the Littlefield Gallery England experience.” Honestly, soil for placement and viewing the tour. The gallery, owned by Kelly and Jane Sculptor-in-Residence the list is endless. Just pick your is, however, the flip-side of the Littlefield, has donated five sculptures to UMaine’s Program, Rhino was created from granite ex- passion and you’ll likely find it in coin, explains UMaine Professor, Buchanan Alumni House Garden, and nine sculp- cavated from the Lassens’ Maine! Marisue Pickering. “My husband tures in total around the campus. Great strides have blueberry field. John and I are retired, and we had been made in Maine’s public art Not many people know that written a book that featured local due to the “One Percent For Art” there’s also an active stone artists because we’ve always been Program. This program, passed sculpture community throughout interested in promoting Maine. In into law in 1979, basically says Maine. It is not only huge, it’s doing it, we were aware that the that one percent of the cost of also one of Maine’s best-kept se- university had so much wonderful any new building or renovation crets. Every day, scores of men art in the gardens and courtyards, has to be set aside for public art. and women work their hammers but it hadn’t yet been promoted This means that for any university and chisels and air tools and in an organized way. So we took buildings built or renovated with blades in their studios, backyards our perception to the school pro- public funds, one percent has to or at local symposiums. These vost, Jeff Hecker, and he asked be set aside for publicly accessi- symposiums, specifically the us to work with marketing to see ble art. Public schools are allowed famed Schoodic International what we could do. We then came to opt out of this; universities are Sculpture Symposiums from up with this idea of The Sculpture not, said Marisue. years past, were truly spectacles Trail. The tour went live in spring “We have a great deal of art to behold. (I know – I’ve cov- of 2016.” on UMaine’s campus that was ered a few for the Slippery Rock.) According to Marisue, the paid for by this One Percent It’s unfortunate if you’ve missed Littlefield Gallery located in For Art program. About half of Above: Sea Form the states in America have this Artist: Hugh Lassen. Carved from polished Monson Slate, Sea Form reflects the artist’s desire to “create vital, life-enhancing forms.” law, so we are very fortunate to Sea Form is one of four sculptures donated to the Buchanan Alumni Left: MINA have the program as well as the House in honor of Nathaniel “Nat” Diamond, who — at age 43 — Artist: Andreas von Huene, Maine graduated from UMaine (’63). Created as a tall, freestanding Schoodic International Sculpture stele, MINA is sculpted from red- Symposium. These symposiums hued granite. von Huene’s polished have given such a huge boost to work with its dramatic presence the art scene, which of course has is modeled on the countenance had a long history here, anyway. of a teenage niece. Well known for having pieces in both private I also feel very optimistic about collections and public spaces, von what the Littlefield Gallery in Huene, with a background that in- Winter Haven, Maine is doing to cludes engineering, often pushes support the Sculptor in Residence the boundaries of how sculptures Program. It is just unbeliev- are positioned in space. able. Owners, Jane and Kelly Far Right: Pylon Littlefield, have strong connec- Artist: Don Justin Meserve, Maine tions to UMaine.” Pylon was created by the late Don Justin Meserve, known as According to Marisue, two new Above: Inanna a mentor to a younger genera- sculptures have recently been Artist: Mark Herrington, Maine tion of Maine sculptors. Meserve added to the tour. One is by art- Mark Herrington speaks of the worked primarily in granite and ist Kazumi Hoshino (known as stones he works with as being “a gift of geological time.” basalt. Pylon is a striking example Hoshi), the other by artist Andreas of his smaller granite pieces and Herrington was the first artist suggestive of massive stone py- von Huene. Both are from past in UMaine’s Artist-in-Residence lons found around the world. symposiums. Program sponsored by Winter Please turn to page 15 Harbor’s Littlefield Gallery.

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® Featured in this Issue

Hercules Q8 Wet Air Polishers DEPARTMENTS: Industry Spotlight Mark 1’s Legendary Craftsmanship Helps Return Kansas Statehouse to Its Former Glory Now Faster, Cooler & by Peter Marcucci ...... Begins on 1 Ergonomically Designed! Take a Walk on the Art Side, by Peter Marcucci ...... Begins on 2 When we thought about updating the Hercules air Training and Education Sponsored by Braxton-Bragg Academy polishers, we had the countertop fabricator in mind. We Quality at the Source, by Ed Hill ...... Begins on 1 made sure that the new, updated polishers, which are NSI Announces New Technical Bulletin Now Available in Resource Library ...... 13 used daily, are easier and more comfortable to use! Industry Topics and Tips Customer Service, by Sharon Koehler...... Begins on 8 ® Hercules VS Wet The Stone Detective, by Frederick M. Hueston ...... 10 Stone Restoration and Maintenance Corner, by Bob Murrell ...... Begins on 17 NEW with Side Exhaust Wall of Time, by Karin Kirk ...... Begins on 34 LOOK! How to Set a 5,760-Pound Countertop, by Mark McMunn ...... Begins on 36

Stone Industry News and Regulars Achilli s.r.l. Italy Launches Achilli USA Division ...... Begins on 5 NSI Picks 2018 Stone of the Year ...... 6 TCNA Issues Statement on Passage of BRICK Act ...... Begins on 11 Tucker Design Awards and 2018 Bybee Prize ...... Begins on 21 NEW & Stone Forensics Offers Stone and Tile Troubleshooting Workshop ...... Begins on 13 IMPROVED That’s One Tough Tick, by Sam Venable ...... 23 Artisan Group Adds Three Member Shops ...... Begins on 16

Both Include: Laser Products Exceeds Expectations at TISE 2018 ...... 18 (1) 5/8”–11 Spindle Thread Central Florida Fabricator Celebrates 10 Years ...... Begins on 18 (2) Air Hose Adapters Natural Stone Institute Announces New Staff Member ...... 22 (1) Water Hose Mark Thomas Elliot, Longtime Superabrasive Employee is Mourned ...... 22 (1) Air Lubricant Architectural Surfaces Group Debuts MetroQuartz Palette ...... 25 Little Caesar’s Arena and MSU’s 1855 Paxton Place Feature Countertops by Paxton Countertops... 30 Item # Description Price Classifieds and Marketplace 38031 Hercules® VS Wet Side Exhaust Air Polisher $279.79 Back-Up Pad Sold Separately The Slippery Rock Classifieds, The Slippery Rock Marketplace...... 28, 29

Hercules VS Wet ® with Rear Exhaust NEW SLIPPERY ROCK GAZETTE LOOK! The Beacon of the Stone Industry

Visit our online edition www.slipperyrockgazette.net to place a classified ad and to view current and back issues. Rick Stimac Publisher -BACK G EY U N A Larry M. Hood Editor and Design Director O R A G. William Brown Graphic Designer M N Shannon Carey Special Contributor

E Carmen Ghia Foreign Desk

90 E

DAY ! Ed Hill Synchronous Solutions R I WARRANTY Frederick M. Hueston Stone Forensics Consultant S “A man’s K Karin Kirk Geologist -F ! R L Sharon Koehler Special Contributor character is E E T RIA Rufus B. Leakin Guru of Folklore like a wall; Item # Description Price Mark McMunn Stone Industry Consultant 38661 Hercules® VS Wet Rear Exhaust Air Polisher $252.95 Peter J. Marcucci Special Contributor it cannot be Back-Up Pad Sold Separately Bob Murrell Restoration Consultant strengthened Read our online edition at www.slipperyrockgazette.net . Use the by whitewash.” department tabs to place a classified ad and to view current and back issues. Send address updates to b.burgess@braxtonbragg. com, & comments c/o editor [email protected] . — Jeremiah Call 1-800-575-4401 or Order Online Subscription requests, a classified ad submission form and our 2018 www.braxton-bragg.com Ad Guidelines are available online at www.slipperyrockgazette.net . Burroughs

Shop www.braxton-bragg.com for Hercules VS Wet Air Polishers Visit www.slipperyrockgazette.net for more Stone & Tile industry news | Slippery Rock Gazette May 2018 5 Templating Cutting employee who works on Training & Education The first operational step Once each piece is cut, the job. Employees should in countertops is templat- the finished piece should look closely at and feel Quality at the Source ing. If a job is not templated be checked to the template each piece throughout the correctly, it does not matter to ensure a match. This is a process to ensure the cor- Continued from page 1 the quality standards of the how good and careful the critical step. It is important rect finished texture. Any No piece should be job and should be held ac- remainder of the processing that each template and cut scratches or incorrect ap- worked on unless it has countable for meeting them. steps are. The job will still be piece is matched before pro- pearance should be ad- a signature from the pre- As errors are noted, a dis- unacceptable. ceeding. When the worker dressed at that time and ceding operator indicating cussion should be held with It is important that the is satisfied that it is perfect, before the piece is allowed that the quality has been the employee involved to Measure Tech review the a signature should be applied to move to the next step. checked. ensure that a lesson has been details of the job with the directly on each cut piece Any production opera- learned. customer to ensure there is and/or on the paperwork. Final Inspection tor who notices an error complete consensus on how Each piece should be Before the finished should be authorized (and Checklists It All Starts at Sales the finished product will labeled 1 of 5, 2 of 5, product is loaded on an encouraged) to stop the An airline pilot is required The role of the salesper- look and what is to follow. etc. There is a new product A-Frame, a final Quality movement of that piece to by law to complete a check- son is much larger than The Measure Tech should called SPEEDlabel from Assurance Inspector should ensure that the error will be list on every takeoff and just securing the close of a use a prepared checklist to Fifth Gear Technologies, a follow a checklist to ensure corrected. Job descriptions landing. After several of deal. The task also includes ensure that every detail has TCF company. It provides each piece is consistent should be available for all these every day, the pilot gaining market intelligence been covered and the job can a solution to track each cut with the quality standards. jobs to ensure that the de- probably knows the check- regarding what trends exist proceed. piece in your shop. It main- This check should include sired method is followed. lists by heart. Nevertheless, and what each customer When the Measure Tech tains accountability for qual- feeling each edge and the Quality specifications, in- they are required to com- sees in demand forecast- is satisfied that all necessary ity control, piece by piece. It top surface. cluding tolerances, should plete the drill every time. ing. Moreover, once a sale templates are completed for ensures the entire job is kept Ideally, the pieces of be provided for each pro- That same logic should is closed, it is important that each room and that the cus- together – no missing pieces. the job should be moved cess. These methods and apply at several steps in the salesperson gather all the tomer is fully satisfied with It is an excellent tool to ad- together as they will fit in specifications are available the countertop process needed information for the the plan, he/she should add dress many of the problems the final installation. This from the NSI and other including: job. Correct understanding a signature on the job pa- countertop fabricators ex- final check will also ensure sources. The appropriate of what the customer ex- perwork indicating that op- perience. Visit www.speed that all pieces are done, in- document pages should be Templating pects is critical to customer erations can proceed with label.net and check it out. cluding all backsplashes, copied and laminated for CAD service, and that begins at confidence that the template and that all accompanying posting near each operation Programming the initial sale. The salesper- is correct. Many companies Fabrication paperwork is available. in the process. Each em- Fabrication final son should be held account- require a customer sign-off General quality standards ployee should understand Installation able to accomplish this. at this point as well. are the responsibility of each Please turn to page 6 Achilli s.r.l. Italy Launches Achilli USA Division tural Stone Universi taly-based Achilli Na ty s.r.l., manufacturer of Iquality stone saws, floor machines and stone mate- An online education tool rial handling equipment for stone industry professionals. for over 50 years, has just launched its United States operations to provide out- Initial Courses Include: standing sales and continu- Safe Slab Handling Modules • Installation Safety Modules ing support to its United States customers. OSHA Compliance • CNC Operation • Toolbox Talks Achilli Gold CNC Controlled All safety materials have been made available free of charge Achilli USA will be High Precision 4-Axis Bridge Saw courtesy of the Natural Stone University sponsors and the certified distributor Natural Stone Institute Safety Committee. for all Achilli saws, both large and portable, and all repairing, and maintaining His many years of experi- other Achilli products in Achilli machines, as well ence and advice will help the United States. “Long as providing timely service Achilli customers make in- known for our reliability and support so downtime formative decisions when and dependability in the is cut to an absolute mini- purchasing their products. shop we realize that occa- mum. We will be stocking He can also provide any sionally our machines will bridge saws, miter saws, technical support needed by need service and repair” tile saws, the full line of fabricators. says Davide Achilli, CEO portable saws, as well as a Achilli’s hope and ex- of Achilli USA. “We have full parts program in our pectation for the future is hired a qualified Achilli Charlotte, NC warehouse.” to provide extraordinary technician, Kurt Alexander, Achilli USA has also quality and service to ex- with over 20 years of ex- hired Alan Griffin as isting and future customers. Visit www.naturalstoneinstitute.org/university to get started. perience in installing, National Sales Director. Please turn to page 11

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for this purpose. Once the Quality at the Source Installer is satisfied that the appearance and struc- Continued from page 5 each job. The quality ture of the job is accept- When the inspector is check should have been able, he should apply his confident that all pieces completed, so the installer signature to the paperwork are done, that each piece should be responsible for a for that job indicating that fits the template within final quantity check to en- he is accountable for the tolerance, and that the sure all needed pieces are quality. surface quality of each present. Each piece being At least 10 percent of piece meets the company labeled (1 of 5, 2 of 5, etc.) all installations should be standard, the Quality will help to ensure this. reviewed by a Manager Assurance Inspector Generally, installation is before the Installer leaves should sign the paper- the job site. These visits work that goes with the Inspect carefully should be random and un- Installer. announced. The objective before signing off should be to ensure that The final inspection consistent quality stan- should be a quantity and and installing. dards are understood by quality check. All pieces You can feel some all employees and man- needed for a job should be agers rather than to catch confirmed and should be scratches and someone doing something of acceptable quality. wrong. Once approved, the chips that you These are fundamental pieces for a job should cannot see. concepts to ensure accept- be placed together on able quality. If you can set the same A-frame so that up this process and follow the Installer will have all “where the cash register it diligently, your quality the pieces necessary to rings” for the countertop problems should diminish complete that job. The fabrication company. All significantly. Remember, A-frames should be loaded process steps are important, quality is not an act, it such that the first job to but it all comes together at must be a habit. be done is on the outside installation for quality and and readily available. customer satisfaction. Only Examples of fabrica- The Quality Assurance when that is accomplished tion process checklists Inspector should be re- can the fabrication com- are available upon responsible for the quality pany receive final payment. quest from Synchronous and quantity of the final The Installer should com- Solutions. Contact the load onto the A-frame. plete a final quality check author at 704-560-1536, of the finished job with or edhill@synchronous Installation the customer’s perspective solutions.com . At loadout each morn- in mind before leaving the ing, the installation crew job site. It is essential that should quantity check a detailed checklist be used

NSI Picks 2018 Stone of the Year esert Beige Marble by DEgymar International and International Marble Company has been chosen as the 2018 Natural Stone Institute Stone of the Year. The stone will be featured on 2018 member certifi- cates, membership code of ethics, and association marketing materials throughout the year.

Desert Beige Marble, also known as Crema Lisboa strength, reliability, and Testing Materials (ASTM). Marmol, is a light beige sustainability. Its technical For more information on marble from Oman used in specifications match with Desert Beige Marble, please prestigious projects around the quality standards of visit www.egymar.net. the world because of its the American Society of

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At full capacity, CDI’s Because the Robo SawJet is a dual- Sacramento facility is cutting table system, a slab can be loaded while another is being cut. It can cut 25 to 27 slabs per day, per a standard 40-square-foot kitchen machine. countertop with sink hole from a slab, finishing the job within 15-18 When outfitting its newest minutes. This takes half the time manufacturing facility, Sacramento- of other machines. At full capacity, • based Creative Design Interiors CDI’s Sacramento facility is cutting • sought a high-production workflow 25 to 27 slabs per day, per machine. solution providing the lowest • operating costs and greatest CDI’s shop techs rely on the Robo reliability. The company turned SawJets every day. The dependability • to BACA Systems, the leading and consistency of the robots has manufacturer of robotic and taken a lot of stress out of the • automated fabrication technology production process, Peralta said. for the stone industry, for help. “Anybody can program the robot.” •

BACA Systems installed two Robo The BACA RoboSawJet’s IDE SawJets in CDI’s new Sacramento Diamond Cutting Head provides pinpoint It’s full customer service all the time production facility in October 2017. Anybody The Robot Sawjet incorporates a Each sawjet integrates a 26HP accuracy tough H2O jet pump that can hold — 24 hours, 7 days a week. They direct-drive saw and a high-pressure and easy and can program the up in 24-hour per day automotive have great customer service all the abrasive waterjet with a durable consistent robot. manufacturing environments. time.” KUKA Robotics industrial robot. alignment. The onboard software has the ability The H2O can last nearly three Now that CDI has some months of The Robo SawJets have transformed to calculate patterns to optimize times longer between rebuilds production using the Robo SawJet’s CDI’s workflow for the better, said the yield from each slab, saving than Hypertherm pumps. It is also under its belt at the new facility, Fabrication Operation Manager customers an average of 25 percent faster and costs less to rebuild H2O the management is already looking Rodrigo Peralta. “It’s totally different. on material cost annually. pumps. ahead. “We plan to buy a third robot White and black, night and day. in a couple of years,” Peralta said. Before this, for 14 or 15 years, The sawjets need much less Even after installation, BACA “When we are ready to add another we cut by hand. We had bridge maintenance than the bridge saws personnel continue to support CDI’s machine, you can be sure it will be saws. Normally, we’d spend 45 the company used to rely on. The needs. “The customer service is the from BACA Systems.” minutes to one hour to cut a slab, KUKA robot itself needs literally no key,” Peralta said. “When we have a doing everything by hand. Now, maintenance for 5 years or 10,000 problem, the BACA guys are always we normally cut a slab in 15 to 20 hours. there. minutes average.”

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is funny how some- Sharon Koehler store level, so I should get IT times one thing leads Artistic Stone Design it back at the store level. I to another. Due to hacking, browbeat that place for 24 corporate breaches and hours until I literally forced identity theft, I have gotten recently, they can be ex- them to do what I wanted. into the habit of checking pensive. I need bifocals, so Here again, the initial re- my bank account and my that doesn’t help the cost. sponse was not to help. So, THE credit card statements every I arranged for two pair to they lost me as a customer BEST day. That act alone has be made. The next day I and I would never recom- led to some eye-opening looked at my account and mend them to anyone else. TECHNOLOGY revelations about the state realized that they had dou- Plus in this particular case, of customer service these ble charged me. This is the woman that recom- FOR EDGE POLISHING days. hundreds of dollars. What mended them to me said made it worse was that it she would not go back and I had an auto–shipment happened on the first of the she would not recommend set up with a company in month when I have a lot of them to anyone else, either. Texas. Every month they sent me product and de- ducted the amount due from my checking account (through my Visa debit card). I was looking at my bank account one day and realized they had accidentally double-billed me. Granted, not a good thing, but people do make mistakes. In my mind, I thought they just needed to be no- tified of the problem and they’d reverse the charges. No big deal, right? Wrong! I called the company and a rude customer service rep told me I had to go online and fill out a form. I did. automatic payments hitting Why? Exceptionally poor I waited a couple of days my account, like my insur- customer service and lack and heard nothing. I con- ance, house payment, cable, of customer care. tacted them again. They internet, gym member- Let’s face it — people sent me an email apologiz- ship, credit card payments, make mistakes all the time. AUTOMATED EDGE POLISHING WHEELS W ing, saying I would have etc. Losing that extra Humans are not perfect, my money back in three to $400 started a catastrophic but when you are at fault – Perfect for White Materials five days. That didn’t hap- downhill slide of my bank OWN IT! Customer service pen. Another email came account. isn’t about not making any • Works excellent on all materials including quartz, granite, promising a resolution in There were overdraft fees mistakes, it’s about how marble, porcelain and ceramic 24 hours. Again, didn’t for things the bank paid you handle the mistakes you • Grit 60, 120, 220, 400, 600, 800, 1200, 1500, 2000, 3000, 5000 happen. Long story short, anyway, and late fees for do make. Don’t blame it on after another 11 emails and things that didn’t clear. I the “other guy.” Don’t pass • Available in 5” or 6” 33 days, I STILL had to get called the bank to let them the buck. Don’t bury your • Use for either straight edge or bullnose the Visa people involved to know what had happened head in the sand and hope it dispute the claim. All that and got specific instructions goes away. Don’t complain • Colored holders for easy ID effort to get back what was the eyeglass place needed to to the customer about it. rightfully mine. They lost follow to fix this situation. Own it, and fix it. Now Available in Full Bullnose me as a customer and not When I called the eyeglass Furthermore, apologize. only that, I will never rec- place, they flat out refused Sincerely apologize. A • Great for small radius work on ommend them to anyone, to help me and recom- warm, sincere apology can the top and bottom of stone either. Why? Poor cus- mended that I go online and go a long way toward de- • Grit 120, 220, 320, 400, 800, tomer service and lack of notify their corporate office. fusing a customer’s temper. 1200, 2000, 3000 customer care. They could do nothing at Ask them what you can do The same holds true for the store level. I don’t mind to help them or how you can • Available in 5” an eyeglass place that I telling you that I had what fix their problem. If they are visited recently. I had an we call here in the South a asking for something unrea- www.tenax4you.com eye exam, got a prescrip- Hairy Conniption Fit! sonable, offer a good alter- For more information about Tenax products tion and picked out some I morphed past furious nate fix to the issue. email: [email protected] or call: 1-800-341-0432 glasses. Folks, if you ha- in less than a nanosecond. Don’t blame the customer. ven’t shopped for glasses They took my money at the Please turn to page 9

Shop www.braxton-bragg.com for Stone & Tile industry products Visit www.slipperyrockgazette.net for more Stone & Tile industry news | Slippery Rock Gazette May 2018 9 Customer Service

Continued from page 8

And don’t ever say,“Well, you must have done SOMETHING wrong!” Try to work on the customer’s schedule. The customer shouldn’t have to lose time from work or alter their busy schedule for your mistake. If you absolutely cannot work on their schedule, try to minimize their inconve- nience. Once a resolution has been reached, repeat it to them in a recap and if possible, email your recap to them so everyone is on the same page. When people are upset, sometimes they don’t hear everything you are saying. When it comes time to act, don’t put the customer or the problem at the bottom of your to-do list. Put it at the top and handle it the way you said you would. For the most part, people will forgive a mistake • Akemi Colour Bond Magic Colors if you show that you want to be camouflages the seam into the stone helpful. structure Great customer service is a key component to any business that • For use on Quartz, Marble, Granite, wants to grow and be profitable. Quartzite, Onyx, Glass, Porcelain, You want your current custom- Ceramic, Solid Surface, and other ers to come back, and you want dense surfaces a positive referral from them to help generate more interest in • Provides strong, smooth, your company. Referrals are the glossy joints easiest and least expensive way to grow your business. People listen • Under 20 minute cure when their friends and relatives • Low odor talk. Even if a mistake is made, you still want them to have confi- • Available in over 50 colors dence in you and your product or service – and how you resolve the FREE Colour Bond Match Chart problem will also say a lot about Contact InnoChem LLC the way you treat your customers. www.innochemllc.com Don’t let poor customer service be the reason you are struggling [email protected] to grow your business. Let it be or www.braxton-bragg.com the reason your competitors fall short, not you. Colour Bond Color Matching list available at Please send your thoughts on wwww.akemi.com. this article to Sharon Koehler at Scroll down to colourbond tab and just click. [email protected].

Shop www.braxton-bragg.com for Akemi Color Bond Adhesive Visit www.slipperyrockgazette.net for more Stone & Tile industry news | 10 May 2018 Slippery Rock Gazette Woody and headed on over The Stone Detective to see – or should I say He told me this smell – for myself. Sure Answers the Crazy Questions mixture will feed enough, it was coming from it and make it the countertop. I looked Frederick M. Hueston, PhD grow faster. I then under the top and found that asked him if it the wood was rotting. They nce again it is time A: For this question I would make the had to have the top removed to bring forth a had to call my old friend, a moss drunk. He and the sub top replaced. It O frequently asked professor at one of the Ivy didn’t even most likely rotted from a question: “You’ve prob- League colleges. He is a laugh, but leak, somewhere. ably seen a lot a strange Botany professor, special- probably rolled his eyes. things, haven’t you?” izing in bryology, which is Q: This email came during Brother, you’ve no idea. the study of moss and liver- Q: Mr. Stone Detective, I my radio show. (Yes, this is worts. He told me it sounded have read your column for Apparently, non-rolling stones not only gather moss, but a shameless plug for www. You really can’t imag- like the growth was not only years and have an unusual grow liverwort as well, provided you feed it correctly. blogtalkradio.com/drfred.) ine the odd problems I’ve moss, but liverworts. Now, question and you’re the “I was told that the sealer been asked to solve, so I I hate liver. My mom used only person I could think of only eat wood, and since million years old.” The that was used on my coun- thought I would share some to make it once a week. (Oh that might know the answer. granite is made of minerals jury laughed and so did the tertop had a lifetime war- of the craziest ones, as well wait, that’s liverwort, not Can termites eat my granite such as quartz and feldspar, judge. He wanted to know ranty, is this true?” as my answers. It’s appro- liverwurst!) countertop? I had a carpen- they won’t want to eat your how old the installation was A: I always answer this priate that I’m typing all of “So what the heck is a ter tell me that I should use countertop. However, you but he didn’t ask it properly. question with, “If you be- these as I listen to Flo and liverwort?” I asked him. It stainless steel since termites might want to watch out for Everyone had a good laugh lieve that, I have some etch- the Admiral argue about is basically a leafy type of could destroy my granite the cookie monster if you except the lawyer. I am sure proof marble you can buy!” the Crisis of the Moment at moss (see pic). So I asked countertop. leave a cookie jar on the he wont take that question (LOL!) Seriously, yes, there my favorite greasy spoon, him how the heck I can get A: This one was not a countertop. LOL! for granite, again. LOL! are lifetime warranties out enjoying a bitter cup of joe. it to grow fast. He gave me joke. This person was seri- there, and I would advise the following formula: ous. I thought like writing Q: OK, this one is a lit- Q: My granite top smells looking at the warranty Q: I am building a new Mix a can of warm beer her back with a message that tle graphic. So kids, don’t like an old dishrag. How carefully. Many times there limestone wall and want and some yogurt together said, “Here’s your sign.” read the following. This can I remove the smell? are all kinds of disclaimers. to match the growth on the and paint it on the new wall. (Only Bill Engvall fans email was from a lady who A: Believe it or not, I old wall. Is there a way to Next, take a few samples of will get that. If you don’t said she had stains on her have gotten this question Do you have a question make all this moss grow the moss and liverwort and know who he is – Google shower wall and wanted to several times over my ca- for the Stone Detective? If faster? place it on the painted wall. him.) I told her that termites know how to get them out. reer. It is usually a garbage so, send an email to him A: Of course the key to disposal or drain where the at [email protected] stain removal is knowing smell is coming from, but or call in to his weekly what caused the stain, so I in this case they insisted it radio show www.blogtalk asked her if she knew what was coming from the coun- radio.com/drfred. the stains were? (OK, kids tertop. I hopped in the old cover your eyes.) She told me that she and her hus- © MARK ANDERSON. www.andertoons.com THE ORIGINAL & TRUSTED NAME band like to have “fun” in IN VACUUM LIFTING EQUIPMENT the shower and they use all types of oils. Ohh-Kaay, good to know, but definitely too much information! I gave her a poultice formula and tried not to laugh.

Q: I was asked the following question years Power Tilter ago in a court of law. The Vacuum Lifter (PT1010TAIR) young attorney threw a picture of a marble lobby up Hand-Held Vacuum Cups Economical Vacuum Pads on the easel and asked me for Stone Handling with Replaceable Sealing Rings if I knew how old the marble was as he pointed to the “I’m sorry, but the results are quite clear. picture. You’re only bad to the epidermis.”

A: I hesitated for a moment and told him I didn’t know the exact age but I “If you want your children to be could give him an educated guess. He told me to go intelligent, read them fairy tales. From the stone yard to final installation, ahead. I looked at the jury If you want them to be more intel- stone handling is more efficient and less with a little smirk on my ® face and said, “About two ligent, read them more fairy tales.” dangerous with WPG equipment. to four.” I paused and then said, “Two to four hundred — Albert Einstein

Shop www.braxton-bragg.com for Stone & Tile industry products Visit www.slipperyrockgazette.net for more Stone & Tile industry news | Slippery Rock Gazette May 2018 11 Achilli USA Continued from page 5 You’ve Got To See This Video! A quick response to inquiries Patent Pending and to any problems regarding Achilli equipment is to be ex- pected from Achilli’s new USA operations.

To learn more about Achilli USA please contact Alan Griffin, National Sales Director #1 Seller! at 704-893-4634, email alan@ Most Popular achilliusa.com or visit the web- Sink Support site www.achilliusa.com . Why Pay More to Install a Sink? Sink Harness the fastest and most economical system Why pay more than $5 for a sink install available, it’s also the most versatile. kit, when you could use the Hercules® Be the Go-To Guy to Repair Failed Installs Universal Sink Harness and complete your While the Sink Harness was being developed and Use with Adult install project in minutes, with no return tested, we discovered another notable benefit of trip needed? the Sink Harness: it’s a great system to repair failed Supervision Only ® undermount installations. Many fabricators are asked The Hercules Universal Sink Harness from Braxton- to repair someone else’s poor sink installation job. The Bragg is another great innovation that can save installers Hercules® Universal Sink Harness will get the job uthorities say a man time and money. done quickly. You can become known as the guy who contractors and home owners in your area call for help. A destroyed a suburban At Last, a Simple, Fast Alternative Detroit home while trying The Hercules® Universal Sink Harness is a simple, Supports the Heaviest Sink Loads to use a smoke bomb to rid ingenious alternative to expensive brackets that only Some clips and anchor systems rely on the countertop ® a crawlspace of skunks. work on some installations, and a time-saving, more to support the sink–not so with the Hercules professional alternative to building a scrap wood Universal Sink Harness. Just like a suspension bridge, support system to hold the sink in place while the the Hercules® Universal Sink Harness helps to The Detroit Free Press caulk or adhesive dries. It installs without drilling into provide support and over-all strength to a countertop reports the man’s attempt expensive countertops or cutting notches into your installation. It actually transfers all weight to the sparked a fire one Monday customer’s cabinets, and without using messy epoxies cabinet and doesn’t add additional stress to the weakest that quickly spread from the or relying on adhesives to secure sinks. One of the most and most easily damaged part of the countertop: the immediately recognizable benefits is that you won’t sink cut out. It does its primary function admirably crawlspace to the first floor. have to make a return trip to remove bracing or jury- well– support the sink under the heaviest of loads. The fire eventually spread rigged 2 x 4 supports. Try One and You’ll Believe It! through the walls and attic Fabricator Tested in Thousands of Installs Braxton-Bragg wants to prove it to everyone of the rental property. ® The Hercules Universal Sink Harness has been who’s faced sink-installation problem, or Ferndale Fire Chief Kevin fabricator- and installation-tested under demanding conditions, and can be used to install the most popular just wants to save money and keep their shop P. Sullivan says the house profitable. Visit www.braxton-bragg.com for was a complete loss. He types of sinks, including ceramic, stainless steel, and See the animated video! even cast iron undermount. It is effective on either http://www.braxton-bragg. the complete Universal Sink Harness video. says no skunk carcasses double bowl or single bowl steel or ceramic vanity were found. sinks. Just imagine–one simple, inexpensive kit can do com/HerculesSinkHarness Sullivan says the depart- all of those sinks! Not only is the Hercules® Universal ment advises that people hire pest control profes- Item # Description Great Low Price sionals for such work. But ® he says if someone is “an MADE IN THE USA 17310 Hercules Universal Sink Harness Kit $4.95 absolute die-hard do-it- yourselfer, please read and understand the directions and warning labels” on such devices. Call 1-800-575-4401 or Order Online www.braxton-bragg.com A responding firefighter suffered a sprain, but no other injuries were reported from the incident. TCNA Issues Statement on Passage of BRICK Act

ric Astrachan, Executive Director of recent rule would yield no air quality envi- “America’s tile producers are grateful to the Tile Council of North America ronmental benefits, while imposing costs Representative Bill Johnson (OH) for his “I believe in an E(TCNA), the trade association of on tile manufacturers,” said Eric Astrachan, leadership on this issue. For a few years now, America’s ceramic tile producers, issued Executive Director of the Tile Council of Congressman Johnson has fought hard to open mind, but not the following statement today in response North America. “It’s simply common sense help America’s ceramic tile producers remain so open that your to House passage of the BRICK Act (H.R. to delay implementation of the rule while the competitive in the face of stiff global com- 1917): courts weigh challenges to it and EPA has a petition,” added Mr. Astrachan, in support of brains fall out.” chance to reconsider this rulemaking. The last Congressman Johnson’s significant efforts. — Arthur Hays “America’s tile manufacturers support the thing tile manufacturers need is a completely Sulzberger BRICK Act. The EPA has admitted that its unnecessary government regulation.” Please turn to page 14

Shop www.braxton-bragg.com for the Hercules Sink Harness Visit www.slipperyrockgazette.net for more Stone & Tile industry news | 12 May 2018 Slippery Rock Gazette thought was doing a project Mark 1 Hoisting a large limestone dutchman into place. “There incorrectly. He was having were over 5,700 dutchman, some as big as a car,” said us do a limited amount of Scott Evett, vice president of Mark 1 Restoration. Continued from page 1 work, but the mobilization “So once we were and infrastructure was so awarded the project, we expensive that I explained were given three months to him that he needed to get before we were actually on as much work done right the jobsite. We used some now to amortize these costs. of the time, before we got Because no matter if you do the big equipment out there, a dollar’s worth of work or to do a lot of pre-measuring $10 million worth of work, and develop shop drawings this mobilization cost is by working off man-lifts. going to be the same! So, Then, as we built more and for him to get the most bang more of our scaffolding, we for his buck, he needed to transitioned into using it, get the most repairs done because it’s not productive now. He then re-thought the to work standing on a man- whole process and changed lift. The infrastructure (the the whole format of the cranes, the 12 semi truck- project from a repair to a quarry that had been closed take a stone that’s three feet loads of scaffolding, etc.) major restoration.” for many years, said Evett. long and a foot and a half took about four months to “Before the quarry went de- deep that maybe has just a get on the jobsite. Getting Physical funct, they had mined a lot corner broken out of it, and “What many people don’t in Phases of stone and just left it sit- they didn’t want to replace understand is the logistics The Mark 1 Restoration could see any little cracks cleaning, they wanted to get ting there, and we ended up that stone. So you wind up in mobilizing to some of crew began work on the east and imperfections that may out and review the facade opening up the quarry to get cutting out a 16 by 8 inch these building sites. It can elevation on the south wing have been covered by at- one more time. We then did to it. It was overgrown with piece of the corner and re- be very complex and very of the building, and worked mospheric soiling. We then our field measurements and trees and weeds, and we placing it with a dutchman.” time-consuming to get the counter clockwise in phases. began doing field measure- began fabricating.” had to cut away everything However, there are two infrastructure built whether Many daily activities were ments as well as a facade to get in and load the stone considerations: one is per- it’s the scaffolding, the going on, and doing it this review with the architect to Sourcing Materials on our trucks. Bush-busting formance and the other is cranes or shoring up be- way allowed them to co- make sure that the planned There were two types of to get into a quarry is not aesthetics, continued Evett. low-grade structures that ordinate their work better, repairs and what we’d un- local limestone used for something that we normally “In order for it to perform you can’t see, but have to said Evett, adding, “We covered were the same. In the original construction – have to do. Once loaded, we over a long period of time, place a large piece of equip- were always working ahead other words, the inspec- Cottonwood and Junction sent the blocks to Quarra the stone that remained had ment on top of. at getting our field mea- tion by the architect was City limestone. One of Stone Company, a fabri- to be carved smooth so there “I recently gave a pre- surements done, but only actually done four years the quarries sourced for cator located in Madison, would be maximum contact sentation to an owner who I after cleaning, so that we previous, and there could the original limestone was Wisconsin. Both colors of the existing stone and the be additional repairs that still in operation, while the were a very good match and new stone. This way, when might come up. So after the other limestone was from a a pleasant surprise.” we used the epoxy adhesive New dutchman capitol section, carved to fit onsite. we could achieve the stron- To Dutchman or gest bond possible between Not to Dutchman the old and new stone. If According to Evett, the architect this happens, you are going wanted to keep as many of the histor- to have a very long-lasting, ical façade stones as possible. Due to good-looking repair, but the their large size they only wanted to re- only way you can do this is move the damaged portion. This is why if you cut and carve these the correct use of the dutchman process stones accurately. is so important, he explained. “You can “The other challenge was that many of these stones were ordered before the There are 28 column capitals and opening was made. We 92 pilaster capitals on the Statehouse, knew the size of the stone for a total of 120. Ninety-four of those that we ordered, and these capitals required some dutchman openings had to be perfectly repair. The typical capital is about made so that they didn’t six feet tall and over five feet wide at have any play in them. Our the top. For all pieces, hand carving men have the skill level of in place was required to blend the repairs into the original construction. carvers and the speed of Each piece was shaped by hand orig- skilled tradesmen, and this inally – no two started life identical, job needed both, allowing and through weathering and dete- us to accomplish high qual- rioration, each has changed unique- ity on time and on budget.” ly. The only way to properly fit the replacement stone to the original was Please turn to page 19 to use hand work to blend the repairs seamlessly.

Shop www.braxton-bragg.com for Stone & Tile industry products Visit www.slipperyrockgazette.net for more Stone & Tile industry news | Slippery Rock Gazette May 2018 13 NSI Announces New Technical Bulletin Now Available in Resource Library

new technical document A covering the testing of dynamic coefficient of friction (DCOF) of natural stone is now available in the Natural Stone Resource Library.

Since the withdrawal of the ASTM C1028 test method for Static Coefficient of Friction, the stone industry has been without a standard test protocol for the measurement of friction for walking surfaces. The Natural Stone Institute has completed an exhaustive study on the use of the ANSI A326.3 Standard Test Method for Measuring Dynamic Coefficient of Friction of Hard Surface Flooring Materials test procedure on natural stones. Over 300 stone specimens (51 stone types in six different finishes) were tested to evaluate the appro- priateness of this test method for natural stone products. The Natural Stone Institute would like to thank Miller Druck Specialty Contracting, Artistic Tile, Coldspring, Tennessee Marble Company, and TexaStone Quarries for their assistance in procurement of test specimens. To access the document, please Come Visit Us At visit www.naturalstoneinstitute. org/resourcelibrary, search DCOF BOOTH About the Natural Stone Institute The Natural Stone Institute is a trade association representing ATLANTA • MAY 8-11 every aspect of the natural stone 6211 industry. The current membership exceeds 2,000 members in 1804 Star Batt Dr. Rochester Hills, MI 48309•248-990-1824•[email protected] over 50 nations. The association offers a wide array of technical and training resources, and maintenance staff who have The following topics will be professional development op- Stone Forensics Offers Stone and to deal with stone and tile in- covered in the comprehensive portunities, regulatory advocacy, Tile Troubleshooting Workshop stallation and restoration. This class: and networking events. Two course also offers certification prominent publications — the tone Forensics announced installations failures. According for those who wish to be certified • The Geology of Stone Dimension Stone Design Manual that it will be conduct- to Fred Hueston who will be con- inspectors. • Understanding the Structure and Building Stone Magazine — Sing its popular Stone and ducting the training, “The amount of Different Kinds of Stone raise awareness within the natural Tile Troubleshooting training of failures, poor installations and The stone and tile troubleshoot- and Other Materials stone industry and in the design June 11-14, 2018, in Melbourne, other issues with stone and tile ing program is four full days with • Identifying Types of Stone community for best practices and Florida. flooring are on the rise. This sem- the certification test on the last and Tile uses of natural stone. Learn more inar is perfect for restoration and day. Class size is limited. The cost • How Quarry Techniques Affect at www.naturalstoneinstitute.org. The program is designed to installation contractors as well of the class is $1,995 per person. the Final Product teach the basics of stone and tile as architects, building engineers Please turn to page 14

Shop www.braxton-bragg.com for Stone & Tile industry products Visit www.slipperyrockgazette.net for more Stone & Tile industry news | 14 May 2018 Slippery Rock Gazette Stone Forensics Offers Stone “Take heart: your struggle Discover Why Others are Saying: and Tile Troubleshooting is surely no less noble simply because no drum beats “The Viper 3-Step Pads Workshop before you when you go out are the best I’ve used.” into your daily battlefields, Continued from page 13 One day of the workshop or because no crowds shout ® will be spent in the field ex- Our Viper 3-Step Dry System reduces • Production of Tile and about your coming when Stone Slabs amining failures. you return from your daily polishing time by over 50% and increases • Fabrication and Installa- For further informa- pad life significantly. tion requirements tion and to register go victory or defeat.” • Physical and Chemical to www.stoneforensics. – Robert Lewis Stevenson Testing com or contact Dr. Fred at • Stone and Tile Forensic 321-514-6845. Investigation • Diagnosing Problems Seeing is believing... Watch the 2 minute video and see • Stone and Tile the Viper® 3-Step Pad in action as it dry polishes a piece Restoration of black granite right before your eyes. • Repair and Replacement • Stain Removal How is this possible? • Troubleshooting Our new sintered technology only requires three steps to achieve the highest pos- • Report Writing sible gloss and does it DRY! We also incorporate our exclusive TrifectaMate Tech- • Being an Expert Witness nology™ that requires fewer steps to achieve a superior gloss. This combination results in an outstanding dry pad which has become our best selling dry pad. • Slip Resistance • Laboratory testing TCNA Statement on BRICK Act

Continued from page 11 no environmental benefits The Tile Council is The House of with respect to ceramic recognized for its lead- Representatives today tile producers, while im- ership role in facilitating passed the “Blocking posing certain costs on the the development of North Regulatory Interference industry. American and interna- from Closing Kilns Act tional industry quality OUR of 2017” (BRICK Act) About TCNA standards to benefit tile (H.R. 1917). The legis- TCNA is a trade associa- consumers. Additionally, BEST- lation would stay imple- tion representing manufac- TCNA regularly conducts SELLING mentation of the EPA’s turers of ceramic tile, tile independent research and DRY PAD! “NESHAP for Clay installation materials, tile product testing, works Ceramics Manufacturing,” equipment, raw materials with regulatory, trade, a regulation governing and other tile-related prod- and other government emissions at ceramic tile ucts. Established in 1945 as agencies, and publishes “The Viper 3-Step Pads manufacturing facilities, the Tile Council of America installation guidelines, until federal court chal- (TCA), it became the Tile tile standards, economic are the best I’ve used… lenges to the regulation are Council of North America reports, and promotional complete. The EPA, in its (TCNA) in 2003, reflecting literature. •Polish in only 3 steps …Saves us 60% of polishing regulation, estimated that its membership expansion •Reduce labor over 60% the new rule would yield to all of North America. •Dry–2,000-5,000 RPM: time and lasts twice as long (Recommended: 4,000) as the previous pads.”

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Shop www.braxton-bragg.com for Viper 3-Step Polishing Pads Visit www.slipperyrockgazette.net for more Stone & Tile industry news | Slippery Rock Gazette May 2018 15 Relic in Time Take a Walk on the Art Side Artist: Matt Foster, Maine Relic in Time creator Matt Foster Tec.ton.ic (’12) notes that, “stone forms Artist: Mark Herrington, create balance through a sense Maine of order.” Foster’s work includes Installed in 2015, Tec.ton.ic is the massive granite piece, Before the first piece created during the Wind, created during the UMaine’s Littlefield Gallery 2015 Schoodic International Sculptor-in-Residence Series. Sculpture Symposium and lo- Upon completion, 80 pho- cated on the waterfront in tos of this granite sculpture Bucksport, Maine. Relic in Time were taken and — using pho- is one of four sculptures do- togrammetry — 3-D models nated to the Buchanan Alumni printed by the university’s House in honor of Nathaniel Innovative Media Research and “Nat” Diamond. Commercialization Center (IMRC). Ultimately these models will allow Herrington’s design to be used in glass, aluminum and bronze castings.

Continued from page 2 considerably over the last few our work ending anytime soon. Other featured artists include, years, is that the art department Our hope is that this year some but not limited to, Hue Lass, Mark has added another faculty mem- people will make Maine a des- Harrington, Jessie Salisbury, ber who is specifically focusing tination, and while they’re here, Jonny Turner and Matt Foster. on sculpture. He is working with visit a number of these places that Foster, said John Pickering, has a number of students that are now people don’t normally visit.” his own special story. beginning to move into the pro- So if you’ve been dreaming of a “The students that are within the fessional ranks of sculpting.” visit to Vacation Land, include a different art programs throughout walk on the art side. Visit a Maine the state are getting much, much A Future Etched in Stone quarry or symposium, and be sure more exposure to a whole variety As for John and Marisue, they to pick up a brochure that features of artistic styles. One of the stu- are both 80 years young, in good sculpture throughout Maine as Geologist’s Stone Artist: Deborah de Moulpied, Maine dents that we’ve followed is Matt health, and will continue to de- well as New Brunswick, Canada. Geologist’s Stone, the centerpiece of the Buchanan Alumni House Courtyard, Foster. His first involvement was velop the tour as long as possible, A special thank you goes out was created by former UMaine Professor of Art Deborah de Moulpied from at the Schoodic International said Marisue. “The buildings on to Margaret Nagle of UMaine’s slate she selected from the Monson, Maine quarries. The sculpture, a gift in Sculpture Symposium here at campus are full of art, including Division of Marketing and honor of geologist Richard R. Leveille (’51), was named to reflect Leveille’s UMaine in 2012. Matt was a vol- canvas and mosaics. It’s been a Communications for her part in long career and specialization. de Moulpied chose a stone with dramatic, undulating edges and added liquid bronze as a striking, contrasting medium unteer that assisted the artists, wonderful project. We get to keep this the tour and this story. to carry the water over the edge of this handsome sculpture-fountain. The and by the next symposium he working with the university and Arlington Cemetery grave markers of both John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline was a selected artist. His work is promote the tour and Maine art- Below are four websites to get Kennedy Onassis are of black Monson slate. actually in Bucksport, Maine, at ists, and that’s why we are doing you going: this point. So over a period of five what we are doing.” • www.Umain.edu/sights/ Below: Metamorphosis years, Matt moved from volun- John: “We are also toying with outdoor-sculpture-tour/ Artist: Lee Zih-Cing, Taiwan teering to be a full-fledged sculp- the idea of highlighting some of • www.schoodicsculpture.org/trail/ In the artist’s words, she wanted to express “the love of life through tor working within the whole the unique architectural features • www.mainegraniteindustry.org the metamorphosis of a butterfly.” state of Maine. that are part of the buildings on Also search the www.SlipperyRockGazette.net Because of the granite’s grain and “Let me also say that I think campus. Everyone keeps coming archive for the keywords Schoodic Sculpture Symposium. color, as well as the sculpture’s one of the things that have helped up with new ideas, so I don’t see location, Metamorphosis takes on different shadows and lines at various times of the day and pres- ents itself differently according to season. Metamorphosis was created during the 2012 Schoodic International Sculpture Symposium held at UMaine. The university commissioned this piece; the stone used — considered gray or “salt and pepper” granite — was quarried in Sullivan, Maine.

The Wheel Artist: Jesse Salisbury, Maine Internationally recognized sculptor Jesse Salisbury is based in Down East Maine, and is well known as Line Totem — Man and His Dog Walking into the Forest the founder of the Schoodic International Sculpture Artist: Tim Shay, Maine Symposium. Over a number of years, the sympo- A sculpture from the 2012 Schoodic International Sculpture Symposium, Line Totem draws sium has resulted in a public collection of 34 sculp- on the Native American heritage of its sculptor, who created this granite piece with com- tures in eastern Maine. The Wheel is one of two plete spontaneity (no preliminary sketches). In Shay’s words, Line Totem “reflects the power outdoor sculptures funded by the Percent for Art of line.” It was a project of the State of Maine Percent for Art Program, which provides for Program. The Wheel is one of three sculptures original art for publicly financed new or renovated buildings. This innovative program has from the 2012 Schoodic International Sculpture allowed UMaine to be the site of significant works of art. Symposium, held at UMaine.

Shop www.braxton-bragg.com for Stone & Tile industry products Visit www.slipperyrockgazette.net for more Stone & Tile industry news | 16 May 2018 Slippery Rock Gazette Artisan Group Adds Braxton-Bragg Now Carries Three Member Shops rtisan Group welcomes entrepreneur brothers build- new members Summit ing high-end custom homes AStone Works in Buda, in the Austin area, and is now ItalDiamant Texas, and True Blue in San owned by Sam Roberts and Antonio and Austin, as well Brandon Self. With the acqui- as welcoming back previous sition of Designer Showroom member Lakeside Surfaces Inc., and Summit’s rapid growth, it based in Western Michigan, has 60 employees and 13 in- making the group of independent stallation crews that serve the Dekton countertop fabricators nearly 35 builder, commercial and resi- strong. The group offers their dential sectors. own brands of premium countertops including: MetroQuartz, True Blue has been in busi- Artisan Stone Collection granite ness in San Antonio since 2007 and marble, Saratoga Soapstone and Austin since September and Heritage Wood. 2017. Principals Tom Callahan and Eric Cole are focused on “We are strategically grow- the business to business market ing the group with premier with their customer base being fabricators in cities where we predominantly designers and were lacking in representation,” builders. says Executive Director Sunil “We believe that every in- Palakodati. stallation deserves to be the “The Artisan Group brands highest quality irrespective of of stone and wood countertops price level or material utilized, Dekton Large Blades Item # Description Great Low Price span the United States and two custom or production builder,” 55802 ItalDiamant Dekton Core Bit, 1-3/8” (35mm) $105.95 Canadian provinces. We were says Tom Callahan. “Eric and I the first group of our kind to arrived in the stone world from 55803 ItalDiamant Dekton Blade, 5”, 20mm, 3,000 RPM $68.95 unite the best countertop fab- industries that demand high 55804 ItalDiamant Dekton CNC Core Bit, 1/2 Gas, 1-3/8” (35mm) $105.95 1,900 RPM Max, Feed Rate: 1” to 1-1/2” per minute ricators in the business and we quality and exemplary service, have not wavered on our re- and we are driving True Blue to 55805 ItalDiamant Dekton Finger Bit, 1-3/8” (35mm), $145.95 quirements to join the group, be a stone solution and customer 4,100 RPM Max, Feed Rate: 9” to 10” per minute so that homeowners get the best service leader to the builder and 55906 ItalDiamant Dekton Blade, 14”, 10mm (H), 50/60mm $213.95 1,900-2,500 RPM Max product possible with Artisan designer communities. We are Group,” says Jon Lancto, tremendously grateful to be a 55907 ItalDiamant Dekton Blade, 16”, 10mm (H), 50/60mm $259.95 1,700-2,300 RPM Max Artisan Group President. part of this group of fabricators 55909 ItalDiamant Dekton Blade, 18”, 10mm (H), 50/60mm Bushing $368.95 Summit Stoneworks was who share our values.” 1,400-2,000 RPM Max formed in 2006 by two Please turn to page 29

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Shop www.braxton-bragg.com for Dekton Fabrication Products Visit www.slipperyrockgazette.net for more Stone & Tile industry news | Slippery Rock Gazette May 2018 17 the planetary machines, coarse mini sledge, and definitely was carpet was removed from terrazzo. Stone Restoration and grit diamonds, PCD or tungsten hard work, for sure! So, if you The stain removal of the adhesive scrapers or scarifiers, and bush have access to a power chisel, I can be a hit or miss. Sometimes Maintenance Corner hammers are fairly common for would advise using that. you win, and sometimes you just The Importance of Surface Prep surface removal. Once all of the existing surface can’t get it all out. Tack strip re- Most of these projects are done materials were removed, we had moval is another issue, altogether. dry. The grinding or shot-blasting another issue to deal with. Part Usually when you arrive to the ou have probably heard Bob Murrell machines are coupled with dust of our concrete slab was not flat, project, the carpet has already the term surface prep M3 Technologies extractors so that the operation and it was actually two slabs with been removed and the tack strips Yused before. Surface Photos by Bob Murrell is very controlled and basically a shallow trough in between. We have been pried off with a crow preparation is normally asso- dust-free, or at least the airborne had to use self-leveling mix to bar or similar tool. Unfortunately, ciated with the removal of one are normally selected because of particles are kept to a minimum. bring the floor within a specified this often causes blowout where surface product from concrete or their durability and resistance The biggest issues are edges tolerance to use the snap-together every nail was holding down the similar surface, to prepare for the to chemicals. Removal of these and detail work around machines planks, which were four feet in tack strip. This can be quite a bit application of another. There may types of coatings must usually and shelving. Also, old, hardened length. of work to match (with both the be other applications included in take place during scheduled plant metal studs in the floor can wreak This was a learning experience resin and the chips) and fill these this category, but removal of an maintenance /outage times, which havoc on the equipment and tool- in and of itself. The viscosity has holes. Sometimes, the holes may existing product and then surface normally equates to weekends and ing if they are accidentally run to be just right to flow properly even need to be drilled out for eas- profiling the concrete slab for the holidays. over. and therefore fill the low areas. ier filling. next product application is the When removing these coatings, We had to use more water than To lessen the blowout, the nails most common. the surface is left with a profile Another type of surface prep the directions required to achieve in the tack strips should be gently which is ready to accept the new is the removal of carpet and the the desired liquidity. It seemed to cut with a sawzsall-type tool or Of course, typical products to coating of choice. Unlike polish- associated adhesive and ceramic produce the desired effect though, a thin, flexible cutoff wheel on a be removed from a slab will vary ing and other decorative finishes, tile removal, both of which I am and we will begin installing the grinder or Dremel tool. Then sim- currently doing at home. We had floor soon. I’ll present project ply smooth (grind) out what’s left carpet in the den combined with completion pictures at a later date. of the nail. It will be barely notice- porcelain tile which bordered the I have done several residential able after all is said and done. fireplace and on down the hall to and commercial projects where Please turn to page 26 the laundry room. We have teenagers and dogs. Dogs and carpet Before and After: Top— Damage from tack strip removal. Blowouts cannot always be avoided, but most damage can be repaired. are not necessarily compatible, if you know what I mean. Oh, and let’s not forget the teenagers! So the “boss” wants the luxury vinyl tile snap-in-place simulated wood planks, which do look rather nice. I would have preferred the simulated wood porcelain planks, but we are on a budget and those can be rather expensive. In any case, we removed the carpet, chipped up the tile, and then had to remove the carpet adhesive and thinset. I do have an old 500 planetary machine but we opted to use a single disc machine rather than dig out the big one from the back of the garage and hook up to the 220v power. Planetary machines are much more productive than single disc machines for surface prep, but this was only about 400 square feet of total area. We weren’t removing all of the por- The initial step in surface prep is often carpet removal. Tile re- celain tile, leaving it intact in the moval is in progress, and surface grinding with a coarse grit will be hall and laundry room areas. necessary to remove the dried adhesive and thinset. We do have extra tiles so that from one project to the next. There surface prep work is usually left we can make a new transition line are many possible operations, at somewhat of a rough profile where the LVCT and porcelain such as removing failing epoxies — no more than a 100 grit met- meet. We will have to make new or urethanes, paints, cutback, car- al-bond diamond finish, for ex- cuts and install either a Schluter pet and the associated adhesives, ample. This profile gives the new strip profile system or a T-mold old VCT (asbestos tile removal is coating an ample surface area to for the transition. a specific specialty service), old adhere to. Another issue encountered is tile and thinset, along with others. Most professional surface prep removing all of the thinset from You will encounter epoxy and contractors use the big 3 phase the edges (borders), because as urethane coatings in many indus- 220v – 480v planetary machines you know, the floor machine only trial warehouses and manufactur- or shot blast machines for these gets so close. This was accom- ing plants. These types of coatings industrial projects. When using plished with a hand chisel and

Shop www.braxton-bragg.com for Stone & Tile industry products Visit www.slipperyrockgazette.net for more Stone & Tile industry news | 18 May 2018 Slippery Rock Gazette women-owned businesses in Laser Products Exceeds Central FL Fabricator Central Florida. The company was also nominated among Expectations at TISE 2018 Celebrates 10 Years five other businesses for Stone NSMotif Hosts Countertop Makeover World Magazine’s Fabricator Giveaway this Summer of the Year Award in 2017, an aser Products Industries increase, the most important fac- honor bestowed among stand-out L (LPI) announced that the tor was the support demonstrated SM Florida Enterprises, In the last decade, the business companies. TISE 2018 show recently held by the company’s partners. Nalso known as NSMotif, an- has become one of the highest To celebrate the culmination of in Las Vegas was the most suc- nounces 10 years of achievement producing surfacing companies its many achievements, NSMotif cessful show in company history “This year’s TISE show was helping clients bring their dream in the area, boasting $8 million is giving away a kitchen coun- leading to an all-time record for just exceptional,” said Rich countertop visions to life. As one in revenue in 2016. According tertop makeover. One randomly sales, up 30 percent over previ- Katzmann, president. “Our CNC of the few female-owned fabrica- to the Orlando Business Journal, selected winner will receive free ous years. An LPI analysis of partners showed us that they re- tors in the industry, NSMotif has NSMotif is ranked as one of countertops, including fabrication the show determined that while ally understand the importance of noted significant growth since its the top 10 manufacturers and and installation. the healthy economy and indus- having an end-to-end solution for establishment in 2008. number 10 out of 40 largest Please turn to page 27 try growth played a part in the fabricators. LPI has been working

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Stone Pro Trigger for Overhead Crane “We have two parties The Trigger is a heavy-duty overhead crane attachment, designed to as- here, and only two. One NEW! sist and make the material handling process safe for personnel in the slab warehouse environment. is the evil party, and

It allows you to safely position the clamp over the end of the slab, index the other is the stupid the clamp at the desired lift point, and press the latch release button on the party. I’m very proud to hand-held remote, eliminating potential injuries and liability claims. be a member of the stu- The Trigger has a weight rating of 2200 lbs. Lifting more than one SEE THE slab at a time with this device is NOT recommended. pid party. Occasionally, VIDEO the two parties get WWW.BRAXTON- BRAGG.COM Item # Description OUR Price together to do some- 11713 Stone Pro Trigger $2,299.00 thing that’s both evil MADE IN THE USA and stupid. That’s called bipartisanship.” Call 1-800-575-4401 or Order Online www.braxton-bragg.com — M. Stanton Evans

Shop www.braxton-bragg.com for the new Rock Jockey Visit www.slipperyrockgazette.net for more Stone & Tile industry news | Slippery Rock Gazette May 2018 19 Mark 1 Restoration Large dutchman hoisted up to its resting place. Repair sections Resetting treads on the Kansas Statehouse front entrance stairs. A were sized or trimmed to match the cutout as tightly as possible, stack of replacement treads can be seen in the background the repair secured with a special epoxy. A small dutchman can be seen on the window ledge, by the Mark 1 Restoration crew.

Getting a Reputation as the Go-To Company “We get a lot of inquires from people who want to pick our brain for the projects that they’re doing,” continued Evett. “A lot of them come from the architectural community wanting to understand how we’ve done past work, because they are looking at doing a similar project. So, yes, we are getting the reputation as the go-to company.” Continued from page 12 Typically, the Mark 1 time, and they wanted to emulate Recently, Mark 1 Restoration Restoration crew worked from 7 those types of repairs.” also participated in the presen- a.m. to 4 p.m. while the building In case you’re wondering how tation ceremony of the Tucker was in operation. Due to safety much the Kansas Statehouse proj- Award, an annual stone industry concerns, they did not work eve- ect cost, Evett said, “Renovation honor that’s given to a design nings. According to Evett, once costs vary on what their budget is, team for projects that exhibit you make a close examination, but typically our projects range exemplary work in the field of the previous restoration work is from $15 million to $50 million. masonry. It happened that the de- visible on these types of jobs. The Kansas Statehouse renova- signer of this particular project, “Some previous work was done tion cost $25 million.” Treanor Architects, located in incorrectly, yet some of the ear- Sound expensive? Not really Topeka, Kansas, won this award. liest work was done rather well, when you look at the duration, It’s also customary that the recip- such as the small dutchman that the labor, the materials and the ient invites all contractors associ- were put in. Before we got on the complexity (see below and page ated with the project to attend and he original Kansas Statehouse was constructed over a 37-year period in T three distinct phases, each reflecting subtle variations in tooling and orna- jobsite the architects had also re- 31 sidebar for more on Mark 1’s accept the award with them. mentation that was indicative of the changing immigrant mason workforce viewed these repairs and noticed current and past projects). Please turn to page 31 of the 19th century Midwest. The restoration effort benefited from a 21st that some had lasted a very long century influx of Polish immigrant masons. Planning for the exterior masonry restoration started in 1999 as one part of 29 coordinated bid packages that comprised the restoration of the entire capitol, which was completed in 2014. A non-destructive, close-range assess- ment documented every stone on Wyoming State Capitol the 210,000-square-foot façade, Repair and restoration was begun in more than 26,500 elements. Each 2016 and is ongoing. stone was given a unique identifica- tion number, labeled on large-scale The Wyoming State Capitol elevations and listed in correspond- was built using local sand- ing repair schedules. Design included examining past stone. Repairs to this historic repair documentation to evaluate structure included 100 per- the performance of the materials and cent tuck-pointing of all joints, techniques used. Traditional dutch- including a large quantity of man repairs or replacement were deep voids in the mortar joints, determined to be the best long-term the removal and replacement repair for the most heavily dam- The Wyoming State Capitol Building, on the Nation Register of Historic of over a 1,000 dutchman, aged stones. Overall, the masons Places, is just one of Mark 1’s current major restoration projects. hand carving of ornate capital performed an estimated 6.000 dutch- dutchman, re-tooling of ex- man repairs, plus patching, redress- isting worn stone profiles, lo- ing, cleaning and crack repair on the stones. calized stone cleaning and all Care was taken to replicate the new sealants. Mark 1 was also historic size, proportion and hand contracted to provide the en- tooling patterns with all dutchman, gineering and scaffolding for redressing and replacement. A blend the entire project including the of traditional and new technologies Drum and Dome. produced replacement pieces. Laser From top left, clockwise: The Mark 1 is also removing and re- scanning coupled with traditional stately limestone Wyoming setting the steps and retaining template making and a multi-axis Capitol building; Custom walls for two of the capitol’s robotic carver roughed out pieces drum scaffold, and the im- main entrances. that were hand carved to fit on site. Two types of limestone, Cottonwood mense scaffolding enclosure; Work continued throughout and Junction City were needed. Mark A dutchman block in place; the year through the innovative And a restored, hand-carved 1 had to reopen a quarry in Junction use of scaffold enclosures and capital. City, Kansas, that was shuttered in heating and cooling equipment. the 1950s to get matching stone.

Shop www.braxton-bragg.com for Stone & Tile industry products Visit www.slipperyrockgazette.net for more Stone & Tile industry news | 20 May 2018 Slippery Rock Gazette

Is your shop compliant with the new OSHA Crystalline Silica rules that go in effect in June 2018? With the additional requirements initiated by OSHA for Silica in the granite and engineered stone, the Filter Project Clean Air Dry Dust Collection Booths and Water Wall Dust Collection Booths will be a major advantage in removing silica dust from the air. Automatic Dry Dust Collection Booths The Filter Project Dry Dust Collector Booth is made to trap 99.99% of Dust from Granite, Marble, Engineered Stone, Quartz, Quartzite, and other airborne particles. Filter Project Dry Dust Collection Booths are all stainless steel, heavy duty, dry dust collectors. The Filter Project Dry Dust Collectors have specially designed cloth filtering sleeves inside the Dust Collector. The Dry Dust Suction Wall’s powerful motors create a strong vacuum that pulls the dust particles horizontally from the work bench directly into the dust suction wall, then pulls it down to the bottom of the wall and inside the unit. There the many Description MSRP cloth filtering sleeves trap the dust. The dust is then collected in the catch basin draw at FP 2 Meter Dry Dust Collector $14,250.00 (special order only) the bottom of the dry-dust collection booth. Every day or once a week simply empty the FP 3 Meter Dry Dust Collector $16,100.00 dust that has been collected in the bottom of FP 4 Meter Dry Dust Collector $19,600.00 the catch basin. Water Wall Dust Collection Booth The Filter Project Wet Dust Collection Booth Water Wall Dust collector is made to trap 90% of dust from granite, marble, Engineered Stone, quartz, quartzite, and other airborne particles. The operation of the Water Wall Dust Collector is extremely simple. Simply push the button and work in front of it. The dust will be vacuumed horizontally into the water wall without the fabricator breathing any of the dust. Description MSRP The Filter Project Water Dust Collection Booth comes FP 2 Meter Wet Dust Collector $11,250.00 with a 3 ft (1 meter) extension enclosure that (special order only) provides additional dust control and great vacuum FP 3 Meter Wet Dust Collector $13,500.00 efficiency. FP 4 Meter Wet Dust Collector $15,500.00

Sludge Dehydrator 5 DS-50 Filter Project Sludge Dehydrators are the best sludge dehydrators for removing sludge and slurry from: granite sludge, marble sludge, cultured marble sludge, quartz stone sludge, engineered stone sludge, quartzite sludge, cement sludge, and other materials that produce fine sludge and slurry. Description MSRP Filter Project Sludge Dehydrators are made in Italy FP 5 Bag Sludge Dehydrator $5,950.00 using premium grade stainless steel, premium valves, strong and durable submersible 1 HP pumps, and a high Sludge Dehydrator Bags $3.69 quality electrical system. Filter Project quality, durability, longevity, and trouble free long term use is the most important and primary goal in producing the best sludge dehydrators.

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Shop www.braxton-bragg.com for Stone & Tile industry products Visit www.slipperyrockgazette.net for more Stone & Tile industry news | Slippery Rock Gazette May 2018 21 Mikyoung Kim Design Gustafson Guthrie Nichol he 2018 Bybee Prize, named in Boston Children’s Hospital National Museum of African Thonor of the late James Daniel Boston, MA American History and Bybee, has been awarded to Carol R. Culture Johnson for her distinguished body Woods Bagot, Perth Studio Washington, DC of work executed over her long ca- 2018 TUCKER Brookfield Place Tower 2 reer, exemplified by her outstanding uAWARDS u Perth, Australia Gustafson Guthrie Nichol design and use of natural stone. The Park at CityCenter Born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, For Excellence VMDO Architects Washington, DC Carol R. Johnson graduated from In Natural Stone Buckingham County Wellesley College in 1951 and only one year later, at a time when Design, Restoration, Primary & Elementary 1100 Architects earned a landscape architecture de- there were few women landscape Installation Schools at the Carter G. Perry World House gree from Harvard in 1957. Hired by architects working on urban design The biennial Tucker Design Woodson Education Philadelphia, PA The Architects Collaborative (TAC) and planning issues. Awards competition, Complex in 1958, she started her own practice Please turn to page 33 which began in 1977, hon- Buckingham, VA BVH Architecture ors members of the design Saint John Paul II Newman community who exhibit in- Page Center novation and excellence in University of Texas Dell Omaha, NE the use of natural stone. Medical School Health Learning Building Bohlin Cywinski Jackson he 12 winning projects of Austin, TX Sawyer Library at Williams the 2018 Tucker Design College T Awards were honored Treanor HL Williamstown, MA during a ceremony at the Tobin Kansas Statehouse Exterior Center for the Performing Arts in Masonry Restoration Atelier Alter San Antonio, Texas on February Topeka, KS Yingliang Stone Archive 25. The recipient of the 2018 Beijing, China JFKJFK ParkPark Fountain,Fountain, Cambridge,Cambridge, MassachusettsMassachusetts Bybee Prize, Carol R. Johnson, HBRA Architects FASLA, was also celebrated Lincoln Park House during the ceremony. Chicago, IL The 2018 Tucker Design Award To view photos and descriptions of all the winning projects, please Old Harbor Park, winners are: Old Harbor Park, see our online edition www.slipperyrockgazette.net or visit www. Boston, Massachusetts naturalstoneinstitute.org/tuckerawards.

Shop www.braxton-bragg.com for Stone & Tile industry products Visit www.slipperyrockgazette.net for more Stone & Tile industry news | 22 May 2018 Slippery Rock Gazette Natural Stone Institute BEST-SELLING Announces New Staff Member

he Natural Stone tremendous addition to BRIDGE SAW BLADE Institute is pleased our team as we expand our T to announce outreach to architects and that Dacia Woodworth designers. Her firsthand FEATURING has joined the staff as knowledge of the natural Architect & Design stone industry makes her Community Liaison and uniquely prepared to ed- ARRAY Special Projects Manager. ucate industry members Initially she will focus on about the testing lab and expanding industry aware- other association pro- ness of the association’s grams.” Dacia remarked: TECHNOLOGY natural stone testing lab “I am thrilled to be joining capabilities. Her primary Dacia Woodworth, such a dynamic team and role will be expanding new NSI Architect and to be doing a job for which outreach to architects and Design Community I am truly passionate.” designers to promote the Liaison, and Special use of natural stone. Projects Manager The Natural Stone Institute is a trade as- Dacia is a past board sociation representing member who has served variety of roles including every aspect of the nat- as an active volunteer project management, sales ural stone industry. The with many Natural Stone and marketing, education, current membership ex- Institute programs, includ- and technical assistance. ceeds 2,000 members in ing Women in Stone and Natural Stone Institute over 50 nations. Learn the CEU program. She has CEO Jim Hieb com- more at www.naturalstone worked in the natural stone mented: “Dacia’s indus- institute.org. industry since 2001 in a try experience will be a

Mark Thomas Elliot, Longtime “The Viper Array Bridge Saw Blade takes a bite out of the Termi- Superabrasive Employee is Mourned 20mm! nator Xtreme blade and has at least Segments is with deep sadness in Ohio and was employed by 20% more life. It’s also priced a lot IT that we announce the Superabrasive in Hochston, lower than Terminator.” passing of Mark Elliott, age Georgia for the past 18 years. 59, of Buford, Georgia. Mark Mr. Elliott was an avid fish- Cutting Speed – Mike Weldon, was a longtime Superabrasive erman and hockey player, and The cutting speed of this Viper ® blade is employee, and passed away he loved Lake Lanier. Mr. Stone Fuzion Monday, March 26, sur- Elliott was a devoted husband, equal to any blade on the market. rounded by his family. father, friend, and employee at his work. “He loved his job “Mark not only helped build more than sunshine. He was a the company but shape its rock to his family.” 20mm Segment and Silent Core Blade character. Mark will always Mark is survived by his wife Array Diamond Technology Using the best new technology, these be remembered for his hon- of 12 years, Susan L. Wallace, A Celebration of Life ser- esty, humor, and hard work Buford, Georgia; son, Marcus vice was held on Tuesday, Array Technology means that the premium blades cut even the hardest ethic. We have not only Quinn Elliott, Flowery Branch, April 3, 2018, Pastor Frankie lost a colleague but a dear Georgia; sisters, Becky Elliott Southerland officiating. A ® diamonds used on the Viper Array stone without causing your saw to draw friend. Each of us not only and Wendy Sneigowski; broth- reception was held following increased amps. grieves for the untimely ers, Leonard Sneigowski and Jeff the service at Superabrasive, blades are evenly spaced to provide the passing of this tremendous Elliott; mother-in-law, Maxine Inc. in Hochston, GA. same quality from the first cut of the individual but also for the Smith Little, Buford, Georgia; loss his family suffers,” said brother-in-law, Smith Nolan Memorials may be made to blade to the last. Kiril Yorgov, Superabrasive Wallace, Buford, Georgia; and American Cancer Society, 804 Product Manager. “Mark his “precious dog Chewie.” Cherry St, Macon, GA 31201 Elliott will be profoundly Mark was born on Sept. 26, in memory of Mark Thomas 1958 in Toledo, Ohio. He at- Item # Description OUR Low Price missed by anyone fortunate Elliott. enough to have met him.” tended the University of Toledo 9881 Viper® Array 20mm Segment Silent Core Blade, 14”, 4,500 RPM $270.12 9882 Viper® Array 20mm Segment Silent Core Blade 16”, 3,800 RPM $296.21 “He that goeth about to persuade a multitude that they are not so well governed as they ought to be shall never want attentive Call 1-800-575-4401 or Order Online and favorable hearers.” www.braxton-bragg.com — Richard Hooker

Shop www.braxton-bragg.com for Viper Array Silent Core Blades Visit www.slipperyrockgazette.net for more Stone & Tile industry news | Slippery Rock Gazette May 2018 23 That’s One Tough Tick Hop In, the Mete r’s Runn ing New Jersey man who got Bachman says he didn’t know the spirit of sportsmanship Sam Venable A drunk in West Virginia what was happening or who the IN and respect for a worthy and mistakenly ordered a $1,635 driver was. adversary, I doff my camouflage Department of Irony Uber ride back to his home state The trip was made more ex- cap to a tiny tick. says the experience was “crazy.” pensive because Bachman gave She didn’t use to be so crass. the driver money for tolls and Not just any tiny tick. We’re But what the heck; we’ve been NJ.com reported that Kenny ordered an UberXL, which can talking about a warrior. married nearly 50 years. My Bachman thought he was tak- hold up to six passengers. Despite its diminutive size, this bodily real estate is exceedingly ing an Uber to where he was He says he unsuccessfully tick is — or was; more on that in a larger than it once was. Not that Tick, but equally, staying, near the West Virginia challenged the fare with Uber, moment — the meanest, baddest, But that’s not what bothered her. tough. And annoying. University campus. which confirmed that the ride fiercest, most determined speci- Instead, it was the tick clinging to But when his driver woke him occurred. men in all of Arachnida. I suspect my bodily real estate. sight. The only thing that worked up two hours into the more than Bachman says he gave the it smoked unfiltered Camels, rode The loathsome thing was at- was to take a deep breath, “hug 300-mile journey to New Jersey, driver “five stars.” a Harley and all eight of its legs tached just below my right shoul- myself” and make a quick stab were heavily tattooed. der blade. Not only would I never with the fingertip. Thank heavens He (she, perhaps?) and I united have found it, I never-ever could nobody walked in. Otherwise, we in Jefferson County during have removed it. Not even prior to would’ve had a Page One photo of a couple of steps across the dried it the royal flush. And as swirling Tennessee’s spring turkey season two back surgeries. a hairy, bent-backed, self-hugging layer of permethrin, they curl up waters carried it down the hatch, a few years ago. Good wife that she is, Mary Ann walrus.) like a Frito. Off they drop. I’ve my sportsmanship wavered mo- I didn’t make the discovery on gritted her teeth and extracted But here’s why I admire the te- watched this process with my mentarily. The last human sound my own. Indeed, I wouldn’t have it from my hide. Ever since, she nacity of that tick: It had fought own eyes. Mr. Tick heard was maniacal found it in a week’s searching. has been applying antibiotic and through not one, not two, but three I’ve been spraying my turkey laughter and crude words about My wife got the honor. Happened anti-itch ointments upon request. layers of camo clothing liberally clothes with permethrin for more his ancestry. like this: (With one exception. I was at the saturated with permethrin spray. than a decade. To the best of my Hope so, anyway. It was noonish. I’d just come newspaper office a few days later, I am a card-carrying disciple memory, this is the first tick that inside the house after cleaning a and the bite was itching like fire. of permethrin-laced products. ever survived the outer layer. Let Sam Venable is an author, en- 19-pound gobbler and headed for I stepped into the men’s restroom, They’re the finest stuff ever man- alone layers beneath. tertainer, and columnist for the the shower. When I peeled off my peeled my shirt, put a blob of ufactured for killing ticks. Yes, I probably should have had Knoxville (TN) News Sentinel. He camo T-shirt, Mary Ann hollered, cortisone cream on one fingertip kill. As in DOA. They still get this beast mounted and displayed may be reached at sam.venable@ “Ugh! How disgusting!” and tried to apply it. Not a pretty on your clothes, but after taking over the fireplace. Instead, I gave outlook.com. GOLD CNC CONTROLLED BRIDGE SAW GOLD is the new generation bridge saw for cutting stone slabs: • Available with a fixed, tilting and/or rotating worktable • Automatic head rotation • Head tilting 0°-90° / Head rotation 0°-360° • User friendly color touch screen for cuts programming • Available with 1/2” gas connections for mounting core drills • Monoblock structure for easy installion - does not require foundation • High precision head motion, on linear guides with recirculating ball slides by means of motors equipped with frequency inverters • Customizable according to customer requirements Prices starting at $61,000 Final price determined by options selected. Includes shipping (in cont. USA), installation and training by an Achilli Technician

Achilli USA • 7606 Whitehall Executive Center Dr., Ste 400 • Charlotte, NC 28273 Ph. +1 704 893 4634 • Fax +1 833 514 7058 • www.achilliusa.com

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Shop www.braxton-bragg.com for Stone & Tile industry products Visit www.slipperyrockgazette.net for more Stone & Tile industry news | Slippery Rock Gazette May 2018 25 Architectural Surfaces Group Debuts MetroQuartz Palette All Your Fabrication 60 Designer-Inspired Options in a Range of Colors and Textures Needs...Including the rchitectural Services AGroup (ASG), a sub- sidiary of interior building products and services hold- Kitchen Sink ing company Select Interior Concepts, Inc. (SIC), announced the debut of an expanded color palette for its high-end MetroQuartz offering, which features 60 new sophisticated colors Item # 6671 Item # 6672 ranging from a variety of Bardiglio Vecchi MetroQuartz installed in a mitered island. white marble looks, to rich deep brown, grey, and black options.

The new offering is sup- Calacatta Andes ported by an assortment MetroQuartz of marketing collateral including a redesigned tower Item # 6673 Item # 6674 display showcasing the full range of colors, in addition to a complete set of smaller, slim samples, packaged in a sleek box, perfect for information on the product design libraries. Brochures can also be found on the showcase full slab images website. Danza MetroQuartz for veined marble looks, Inquiries about becoming Item # 6675 and MetroQuartz.com fea- a MetroQuartz dealer can be tures full slab images plus directed to contact@metro installation photos for every quartz.com. 95 color. MetroQuartz offers the $ per sink Luke Spiller, Vice look and feel of natural 79 Buy 11, Get 1 FREE! President of Purchasing stone with the performance 12 TO A PALLET comments, “We’re particu- and design versatility of an Plus FREE Freight larly excited about a unique engineered product. Our Statuario Blanco new finish called ‘Atlantis’ team travels the world to MetroQuartz that will appear on three hand-select only the best colors. We’ve seen a real materials and ensure un- interest for this type of surpassed quality. All look emerging in the mar- MetroQuartz slabs come ketplace.” Atlantis is made with a limited lifetime res- to resemble concrete, with idential warranty so home- more variation in both color owners can be confident and texture than a typical their surface will always quartz slab. look as good as the day it Calacatta Luca All colors are available was installed. MetroQuartz in both 2cm and 3cm thick- ness and combine superior Headquartered in Austin durability with long-lasting Texas, ASG specializes in performance. Superb man- the design, sourcing, and ufacturing practices, the distribution of natural and highest quality materials, engineered stone and other and unsurpassed quality related products. ASG’s na- control create exceptional tional footprint, proprietary quartz surfaces in this brands, broad product selec- Bianco Cascade collection. tion, and consultative sales MetroQuartz Hurry–Special Offer Ends May 31, 2018 MetroQuartz is featured approach establishes ASG in the 2020 design library, as the best in class prod- and the full palette and is uct and service provider in available via the inspiration the industry. To learn more module visualizer at metro about ASG, visit www.arc Call 1-800-575-4401 or Order Online quartz.com. Additional surfacesgroup.com . www.braxton-bragg.com

Shop www.braxton-bragg.com for Envy Designer Sinks Visit www.slipperyrockgazette.net for more Stone & Tile industry news | 26 May 2018 Slippery Rock Gazette Makita Vacs and Shrouds Stone Restoration and Maintenance Makita® XCV04Z Cordless Corner – The Importance of Surface Prep HEPA Filter Dry Vacuum Includes: Continued from page 17 •2 Anti-static hoses So when you hear the •Crevice tool NEW!

term “surface prep,” that is • Nozzle for Dust Management on the Job Site exactly what it means — to •Curved pipe prep the surface for the next application. • Straight pipe As always, I recommend •Main filter submitting a test area to •Damper and pre-filter confirm the results and the Item # Description Price procedure prior to start- 11486 Makita® XCV04Z Cordless HEPA Filter Dry Vacuum $738.45 ing a stone or hard surface restoration or maintenance ® project. Also the best way Makita XCV05PT HEPA Filter Dry to help ensure success is by partnering with a good dis- Backpack Vacuum tributor that knows the busi- Kit Includes: NEW! ness. They can help with •39” hose technical support, product •Telescoping extension wand purchase decisions, logis- •Floor nozzle tics, and other pertinent •HEPA filter Sometimes surface prep takes a hammer and chisel to project information. •Filter dust bag strategically remove tile and thinset at a new transition •(2) 18V Lithium-Ion Batteries point. A power chisel would really help this tedious job go Bob Murrell has worked •Charger faster! A Schluter strip or T-joint will be installed to finish in the natural stone indus- off the transition between surfaces. try for over 40 years and is Item # Description Price Inset: A self-leveling com- well known for his expertise 11492 Makita® XCV05PT HEPA Filter Backpack Dry Vac. Kit $667.69 pound was used to smooth in natural stone, tile and a dip between two concrete decorative concrete resto- ®

sub-flooring slabs. ration and maintenance. Makita 12 Gallon He helped develop some of the main products and Wet/Dry Shop Vacuum processes which revolu- •135 CFM tionized the industry, and •12.0 Amp is currently the Director •92” of Static Water Lift of Operations for M3 •27 Lbs. Technologies. Includes: Item# 11491 We chose to install wood •Main Flat Nano Filters (Pair) grain snap-lock planks, •Fleece Nano Filter Bag but the final surface ma- •Disposal Bag terial could just as easily •1-3/8” x 16’ Anti-Static Hose be ceramic tile or an- •Crevice Nozzle other other hard surface. • Cuff Adapter With thorough surface GUARANTEED prep, the only limitation is your client’s budget! BEST PRICE!

© MARK ANDERSON. www.andertoons.com Item # Description Our Low Price “One of the great 5146 Makita® VC4710 12 Gallon Wet/Dry Vacuum $699.95 mistakes is to 11482 Makita® Dust Extraction Surface Grinding Shroud $57.07 judge policies for Makita 9565CV, 5” 11491 Makita® Dust Extraction Surface Grinding Shroud, 7” $70.77

and programs by 11483 Makita® Dust Xtracting 4-1/2”, 5” Cutting Guard $118.47 their intentions with Shoe for Makita 9565CV rather than their results.” – Milton Call 1-800-575-4401 or Order Online

Friedman www.braxton-bragg.com

Shop www.braxton-bragg.com for Makita Dust Control products Visit www.slipperyrockgazette.net for more Stone & Tile industry news | Slippery Rock Gazette May 2018 27 Karen Roe, NSMotif all countertop surfaces includ- Central Florida Fabricator ing solid surface, granite, mar- an accredited member of the ble, ultra-compact and quartz Celebrates 10 Years Natural Stone Institute, the through brands like Cambria, company serves the greater LG, DuPont, Cosentino, Continued from page 18 NSM Florida Enterprises, oth- Orlando market and special- Caesarstone, and Pompeii, Founder and owner Karen Roe erwise known as NSMotif, is izes in delivering best-in-class among many others. began NSMotif with a desire and a female-owned and operated countertop services for both More details on the counter- passion for improving the edu- surfacing business in Central residential and commercial de- top makeover giveaway can be cation behind and experience of Florida. Located in Sanford, and sign projects. NSMotif offers found at www.nsmotif.com . buying and installing countertops for customers who find them- selves overwhelmed with such projects. “We started NSMotif 10 years ago with a client-first philosophy NowNow AvailableAvailable atat Braxton-BraggBraxton-Bragg and a goal to make shopping for countertops easier, with integ- DiamutDiamut CNCCNC ToolingTooling rity,” said Roe. “It’s been a challenging but rewarding journey to accomplish this major business milestone, after having started with only an idea born out of my living room. I couldn’t be prouder of how far we’ve come and look forward to what’s to come in the next decade.” Over the past 10 years, NSMotif’s full-service fabrication facility has worked on thousands of residential jobs with retail clients, designers, and home builders, as well as large commercial projects, including installations for Disney and Universal. Featured in articles based on her professionalism, knowledge and experience, Roe has become widely well known in the surfacing community. Endorsed by the Natural Stone Institute and ISFA, she is certified to teach continuing education courses for architects, For more than 30 years, Diamut has manufactured a complete designers, and kitchen and bath range of diamond tools for stone, glass, and synthetic materials. designers. She has also recently Diamut tooling works on the majority of the machines on the obtained a Stone Forensic certifi- market today. cation which certifies her to con- sult, inspect, and if needed, testify Drastically Increase CNC Rates to Improve Production regarding stone failures based HYS2 (Hyper Speed Solution) tooling marked a revolutionary upon her experience, training and turn for Diamut. This tooling drastically increases CNC feed knowledge. rates to improve production. Carefully constructed of premium Roe is also a charter member materials, and now with high-performance diamonds and bond. of the Rockheads Group, an exclusive, invitation-only group of leading stone fabrication busi- •Faster feed rates with lower AMP draws on the spindle, thus reducing the stress on the spindle nesses focused on raising fabri- and improving the spindle life cation standards and promoting •Tooling is proven by the market to last longer than competition •Better final edge/polish (option for position 5S with 800 grit) industry best practices. “Karen is •Diamut is the only manufacture producing their own polish wheels one of our original members and •Stronger resins — lasting longer, more forgiving on sharp corners & in cases of lack of water has contributed tremendously to the growth and professionalism of our group,” Jon Kaplan, Managing Director of the Rockheads Group, For more information and pricing noted. “We have also valued her on Diamut tooling call integrity with co-workers and serving clients alike. She’s cer- 800-575-4401 tainly a great example of a success story in a very challenging business environment,” he added. Call 1-800-575-4401 or Order Online www.braxton-bragg.com

Shop www.braxton-bragg.com for Diamut CNC Tooling Visit www.slipperyrockgazette.net for more Stone & Tile industry news | 28 May 2018 Slippery Rock Gazette The Slippery Rock Classifieds

Classified Ad Guidelines Slippery Rock website. Readers Please Note: •All faxed ads must be typed–No hand- Ads not meeting guidelines will not written ads–No exceptions. The information contained in our be published. •Please review all your ad info before Classifieds section is provided by submitting– NO refunds will be given third parties and not an endorsement •$30.00 per print ad, per month. Ads of particular products, companies or for ads that are submitted with the ® may be renewed by contacting the wrong contact info or content and then employers. The SRG encourages all Slippery Rock Gazette. Free online ads! published. interviewing employers to carefully •Maximum of 70 words or less per ad •Best way to submit an ad is by going conduct prescreening of all prospec- •Payment must be made at the time ad is online at www.slipperyrockgazette.net tive employees, and purchasers of used submitted. Credit or Debit Card only. A for a free ad, or use the online form for equipment are encouraged to use cau- Credit Authorization Form is available a print ad, then fax payment to 865-688- tion and common sense. by fax, or download a PDF from the 8254, (Attn: Rhonda Griffin). 2018 Classified Ad Deadlines Issue Ad Submission Deadline June 2018 Wednesday, April 25, 2018 July 2018 Wednesday, May 23, 2018 August 2018 Wednesday, June 27, 2018 ThassosThassos WhiteWhite MarbleMarble Buy factory direct. We ship all over the U.S. All you have to do is let us know that Join Us Help Wanted you’re interested in becoming a par- Buy from the #1 U.S. source for White Thassos since 1988! We ticipant in this program and we will Each Month! produce the whitest Thassos available in slabs, 2cm, 3cm and LOOKING FOR QUALITY print custom postcards and brochures tiles 12 x 12, 18 x 18 and 24 x 24, with over 150,000 sq. feet in PEOPLE! Shop Foreman/Templators for you to hand out to your clients, and For your subscription requests, our Houston warehouse. +. Must be experienced and precise at prospective customers interested in address changes, and templating, making repairs in the your countertop services. You will also FREE CLASSIFIEDS, Call for more information field and know installation, and have receive a unique discount code that is visit www.slipperyrockgazette.net T. 713-521-1414 an understanding of the granite and linked to your Braxton-Bragg account, quartz business. This is a $50,000 to so that we can track your custom- 1-877-815-1414 (toll-free) $100,000 +++ position for the right ers, for you to receive a rebate from F. 713-521-2206 person. Relocation help possible. We us when someone purchases Supreme are also looking for bridge saw oper- Surface Products. For more informa- ators/sawyers, fabricators and coun- tion about this program, please contact 2502 Dunlavy • Houston, Texas 77006 tertop installers. We are also looking one of our salesmen at 800-575-4401. www.eurostonemarble.com for cabinet designers who know 20/20 ______software, and cabinet installers. Please fax your resume to 480-844-5151 or e-mail it to [email protected] or through our website www.counter toprock.com. ______

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Stone Care PAINTPAINT MARKERSMARKERS MENHIR 320 TOUGH TOOLS 1300 X 600 Braxton-Bragg’s Supreme Surface Writes on Stone Care Program. Braxton-Bragg • 352 TON SPLITTING FORCE Most Surfaces firmly believes in offering not only FOR USE • MP 3RB MANIPULATOR . Metal . Plastic the best products for stone fabricators . . • 51.18” BLADE LENGTH Rubber Glass and installers, but also in providing IN ALL . Wood . Stone our customers with a way to retain • 23.62” SPLITTING HEIGHT . Wet . Oily Surfaces and maintain great working relation- • 19.38” PER SECOND DESCENT FABRICATION and much more! ships with their customer base. This • 18.06” PER SECOND RETRACT is why we have launched Supreme • HYDRAULIC FLUID HEATING ELEMENTS METAL, GRANITE & MARBLE Surface Stone Care Program for stone • 22 KW VARIABLE DISPLACEMENT PUMP [email protected] fabricators that purchase their supplies Call For • BTS 3X1 INBOUND AND OUTBOUND CONVEYORS (518) 499-0602 FREE directly from us. It is easy to sign up Samples1-800-851-8464 METAL TIP and we do all of the work for you! www.ApexEquipmentInternational.com

Shop www.braxton-bragg.com for Stone & Tile industry products Visit www.slipperyrockgazette.net for more Stone & Tile industry news | Slippery Rock Gazette May 2018 29 The Slippery Rock Marketplace Artisan Group Adds Three Member Shops

Continued from page 16 Lakeside bringing a com- Established in 1992, prehensive stone surfac- Lakeside Surfaces Inc. is ing package into Western www.wilsonsaws.com one of the largest fabrica- Michigan, Northwest Ohio and Northern Indiana.” Manufacturing Stone Processing tors of surfacing products Equipment Since 1982. in the Midwest. The com- 706-213-6725 pany was founded by cur- Artisan Group™ is rent president, Rob Riegler, the premier network of who began as a certified stone fabricators in North Corian fabricator. By lis- America. Its extensive net- Abaco Machines USA tening carefully to custom- work allows the organiza- The Backbone of the Stone and Glass Industries ers and business partners, tion to offer the best granite, Manufacturer and Distributor Your #1 Source for Stone Lakeside has been able to quartz, and other surfac- of Stone and Glass Material Adhesives & Epoxies steadily increase service ing options from sources Handling Equipment area and fabrication ca- around the globe. Utilizing pabilities as the surfacing the most technically ad- WWW.ABACOMACHINES.COM www.bonstone.com market has evolved. vanced, automated shops in

Lakeside Surfaces, Inc. has rejoined Artisan Group Since 1933... Fabricators Friend is dedicated to developing the original and products such as the Bullet Proof Fabricator’s most trusted seam MADE IN THE USA Apron and Fabricator’s Stone Sleeve that help adhesive stone fabricators stay safe, more comfortable, AKEMI for over 80 years is your leading partner for productive, and profitable. filler and adhesive systems based on polyester and epoxy resin. Our products are used worldwide by professionals in the stone processing industry. www.akemi.com www.fabricatorsfriend.com

The Most Advanced Polishing System Since…EVER! Introducing the Elipse Polishing System with exclusive TrifectaMate Technology™ and revolutionary Elipse Backer Pad Today, the company em- the industry, highly skilled ploys over 130 artisans in craftsmen ensure that each Used by 11 out of 12 fabricators of the year five locations whose focus installation meets exacting on quality, craftsmanship, standards. From classic www.braxton-bragg.com www.laserproductsus.com commitment to unparalleled to exotic, Artisan Group customer service. offers the most extensive We produce durable, easy-to-use stone “Joining the Artisan array of stone choices in the processing and handling equipment that Group is a great way for industry, and is dedicated will help the stone fabricator increase us to differentiate our- to customer service. For We’re so confident you’ll love the selves from our compe- more information, please production while decreasing costs. ™ quality & polish of Talon pads, tition with the exclusive visit www.artisan-count www.rye-corp.com we offer them with a MetroQuartz line,” says ers.com or facebook.com/ MADE IN THE USA 100% Money Back Guarantee! FAB KING • HUSKY • PRISM MITER www.braxton-bragg.com Riegler. “We know that ArtisanGroupCountertops. RENEGADE • RYDRATOR • TILT-A-SLAB our dealers will appreciate

® Because they’re in the stone Stone Inspection & Troubleshooting Viper Turbo Blades business just like you, Stone Price + Performance = Our Best Seller! Pro has decades of experience tone Forensics is again offer- Order a blade now and experience developing innovative tools ing its popular Stone and Tile why this blade sells day after day to S Troubleshooting workshop. The great fabricators around the country. for the stone industry like… class will be held June 11-14, 2018, Call 1-800-575-4401 or Order Online Beaver Edge Chisel, SR2 Rail Support, in Melbourne, FL, presented by Dr. Rock Jockey, Seam Machine…& more! Fredrick M. Hueston. www.braxton-bragg.com The program is designed to teach the WWW.STONEPROEQUIPMENT.COM basics of investigating stone and tile For more information, installation failures. visit www.stoneforensics.com “The amount of failures, poor installations and other issues with stone 4 days of training, covering… and tile flooring are on the rise. This •The geology of stone •Under- seminar is perfect for restoration standing the structure of different and installation contractors as well kinds of stone •Slab & tile pro- as architects, building engineers and duction •Quarry techniques that maintenance staff who have to deal affect the final product •Stone and tile forensic investigation with stone and tile installation and •Problem diagnosis & trouble- restoration,” says Dr. Fred. shooting •Installation require- Class size is limited– register today. ments •Stone and tile restoration Call 321-514-6845 • Lab Testing

Shop www.braxton-bragg.com for Stone & Tile industry products Visit www.slipperyrockgazette.net for more Stone & Tile industry news | 30 May 2018 Slippery Rock Gazette Little Caesars Arena and MSU’s No More 1855 Place Feature Countertops by Twist and Shout… Paxton Countertops hat do March highlighted by Corian colors: Cemento, Green NOW Madness, the Antarctica as well as Fun, Stellar Snow, Merope WITH W Little Caesars LG Hausys Portland and and Blanco Zeus Extreme. Arena and Michigan Andromeda. Laminate Corian Quartz (formerly RECHARGEABLE BATTERY State University have in work featured Formica, known as Zodiaq) Coarse common? Besides the Nevamar and Treefrog Carrara was also used in SR2 Retro Fit fact that March Madness brands. addition to granite, featur- Rechargeable Cup bounced into Little Caesar’s The special housing of- ing Medianoche granite Arena with MSU for the fice and retail building now in two variations: Honed first round of the NCAA known as 1855 Place at and Diamond 100 finish. basketball playoffs, Paxton MSU showcases Silestone Arborite, Octolam and Countertops fabricated the quartz in five different Wilsonart brands were used in the laminate work.

SEE THE Family owned and oper- VIDEO ated, Paxton Countertops WWW.BRAXTON- BRAGG.COM has been meeting the stone and surfacing needs of Michigan for more than 40 years. As a member of the Artisan Group, Paxton be- When you use the Stone Pro longs to a group of North American independent SR2 Vacuum Support Rail System countertop professionals Have you ever done the fabricator’s “twist and shout?” who have all attained ac- creditation from the MIA, Imagine you’re carrying a sink section of countertop and suddenly you twist the now Natural Stone Institute. slab a little too much, hear a crack and shout in frustration. That’s what the twist For more information, visit and shout is all about. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be this way thanks to this Projects for 1855 Place at countertop surfaces for MSU showcase five coor- the indoor slab selection brand new system. both Little Caesars Arena dinated Silestone colors, center at 1340 S Waverly The SR2 Support System adds rigidity to sink cutouts so you can avoid the and MSU’s 1855 Place. as well as Corian Quartz Rd, Lansing, MI 48917, call dreaded “twist and shout.” Coarse Carrara, and (517) 627-3688, go to www. honed and rough finished No one in the stone industry has a system like this that can vacuum to stone that Solid surface work at Medianoche granite. paxtonsurfaces.com . Little Caesars Arena was has a textured surface. It also works great on polished stone surfaces as well.

Item # Description OUR Price 2743 Stone Pro SR2 Combo Pack Vacuum Support $597.95 Rails With Rechargeable Cups, Includes: (1) 3-1/2 Ft Rail, (1) 7 Ft Rail, (1) Charger (4) Suction Cups, including one rechargeable master cup

Call 1-800-575-4401 or Order Online www.braxton-bragg.com From Hot Sauce to Hot Water onnecticut police say a offenses, including bur- with the stolen credit cards Cman stole a rookie offi- glary, second-degree lar- before leaving the car in a “It is the paradox cer’s car and used his credit ceny and identity theft. private lot. of history that each cards to buy food at a Taco Police say Johnson stole Police later recovered the Bell and shop at Walmart. the car from a Waterbury car. Investigators say they generation is parking garage on Jan. 23, identified Johnson using converted by the The Republican-American the night of the officer’s surveillance footage. reports 21-year-old police academy gradu- Johnson is being held on saint who contra- Waterbury resident Derrick ation. Investigators say a $25,000 bond. A hearing dicts it most.” Johnson was charged one Johnson bought items from is scheduled in Waterbury

Shop www.braxton-bragg.com for Stone Pro SR2 Support Rail System Visit www.slipperyrockgazette.net for more Stone & Tile industry news | Slippery Rock Gazette May 2018 31 is a privilege to work on Mark 1 Restoration projects like the Kansas Statehouse. The architect Continued from page 19 can be proud of. Past proj- did a good job specifying ects as well as current proj- the repairs and providing Makita Truckload A Moment to ects, I’m always awed by details that would perform Consider the Past the quality of the finished once completed, and the Reflecting back to when work completed by our owner provided a budget the work was completed men. They take great pride that would ensure a qual- on the Kansas Statehouse, in what they do. When we ity project. I’ve been very Evett recounts his feelings were finally finished and blessed to work with such at the time. “You know, I stood back, my thoughts great people, and I continue FRESH when you have the privi- were simply, ‘Wow!’ There to enjoy the outcome of MAKITAS! lege of doing a project like were over 5,700 dutchman these projects.” this, it takes lots of people, installed, some the size of a and if you all work together car, and even if you looked For more information and have the desire to put really hard, you would find about the work of Mark Makita® 5˝ Grinder out something special, I it almost impossible to pick 1 Restoration visit www. think that you can achieve them out. mark1masonry.com . Variable Speed an end result that everyone “I have always felt it Item # 9375

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Continued from page 21 For more than 50 years, Johnson has maintained a diversified professional practice in the areas of landscape architecture and site planning. Typical work she has Item # overseen for projects in the U.S. 4357 and abroad includes site develop- $59.97 ment, open space and recreation MADE IN THE USA planning, master planning and urban development for munici- palities, schools, colleges and uni- Easy to Color versities, corporations and public Compatible with all major adhesive color mixes including K-Bond MADE IN THE USA Granite Color Pigments — what could be easier? agencies. From 1966 to 1973, Johnson taught in the Planning Department at Harvard’s Graduate School of Why is Stone Shield Knife Grade Design. She has lectured at many Adhesive Spreaders colleges and universities in the Our Best-Selling Adhesive? & Stirring Sticks

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Shop www.braxton-bragg.com for Stone Shield Adhesives Visit www.slipperyrockgazette.net for more Stone & Tile industry news | 34 May 2018 Slippery Rock Gazette The youngest stones in the wall are Wall of Time travertine from hot springs. There A Geologic Stone Wall Captures Earth’s History are also volcanic rocks from two episodes of volcanic activity in our he pairing of plants and Karin Kirk region. stone is a perfectly natural usenaturalstone.com T one. As a geologist and All Photos by Karin Kirk as I went along. I used few tools – gardener, I’ve always admired Basement Rocks mostly a lot of patience and sweat. the way wildflowers tuck them- and Lots of Layers Fitting the stones together was selves into the cracks in rocks The “old” end of the wall. With the plan set, I began build- like a giant, real-life Tetris puz- and meld effortlessly into the These rocks are 2 billion year- ing the wall, starting with the old- zle; an addictive, highly satisfying alpine landscape. When I moved old metamorphic rocks, aptly est rocks first. Our area’s oldest process. to Montana to get my Master’s named “basement rocks.” rocks are aptly-named “basement degree in geology, I spent two rocks” because they are the bot- Like Visiting Old Friends summers bushwhacking through tom-most layer of rock. These By the end of the second sum- nearby mountains, mapping and 2 billion year old metamorphic mer, I reached the “young” end measuring the rocks, learning the rocks are full of garnets and mica of the wall. The youngest stones names of the wildflowers, and and often have swirled bands of beaches left limestones brimming in the wall are travertine from developing a deep appreciation minerals, evocative of the heated, with fossil corals and shells. Gardiner, Montana, which was for the landscape in which I was fluid circumstances that shaped Tidal flats created mud cracks formed from a hot spring outside working. them. These rocks tend to be hard, where sediment dried in the sun, Yellowstone National Park (col- dense, and blocky. 500 million years ago. Currents lecting rocks – or anything else A Plan Forms – from a National Park is strictly At the same time, I had a brand forbidden). All told, the wall is new house without a hint of land- 110 feet long and covers a slice of scaping. I wondered if I could geologic time from 2 billion years re-create the dynamic between ago to 50,000 years ago. That’s rocks and plants that I was enjoy- nearly half of Earth’s total history. ing while working in the moun- With the hard work done, it was tains. A natural, dry-stacked time for the fun stuff: adding the stone wall seemed like a realistic Karin Kirk (5) plants! The wall is essentially a project for a low-budget DIYer, long, raised bed. I filled it with soil particularly since I could collect But, to a geologist, these aren’t and nestled alpine plants between the rocks myself. The US Forest just generic “rocks.” Each one the stones, just as I had seen in the Service offers permits for stone marks a specific place in time, is mountains. Some of my favorites collecting, and I started hauling made of characteristic minerals, include penstemon, anemone, and a dozen rocks home with me at and has a certain look. They are alpine poppies. the end of each day of geology the Flathead Sandstone, made of It’s been 15 years since I built field work. I fiddled with the pure quartz sand; the Meagher the wall, and it remains my fa- ancient technique of building a Limestone, whose turbulent de- vorite feature of our landscape. I dry-stacked stone wall, which posits revealed chaotic storm Once I used up my supply of Oscillation ripple marks show never tire of the interesting fossils uses no mortar and relies on grav- waves churning across the ocean basement rocks, I moved up the how water sloshed around a and small snapshots from our geo- shallow pool of water some 500 ity and the geometric fit of the floor; the Lodgepole Limestone, timeline to the next period in the logical history. I like to revisit the million years ago. stones to hold things together. chock full of fossils. geologic sequence. Our area has fascinating rocks that I learned so I immediately became smitten My stone wall idea developed a 20 different sedimentary lay- in shallow water formed ripple much about during my graduate with rock-stacking. Big plans for new twist. Instead of just stack- ers that reflect the history of the marks that show the direction research; they’re like old friends. stonework danced in my head. I ing the stones any which way they region. Just like at the Grand the water flowed. The transition While the landscape all around the gathered more and more stones fit together, I decided to use the Canyon, these sedimentary rocks from shallow ocean to dry land stone wall has grown and evolved until my poor old pickup strained stones in order of their geolog- are laid down like a layer-cake, is marked by the appearance of over the years, the wall endures. In to make it home with each day’s ical ages, with old rocks on one with the oldest layers at bottom woody fossils and leaves. Lava that way, it mimics the mountains haul. By the end of the summer, end of the wall, and progressively and the youngest ones at the top. flows oozed over the landscape, it came from. Steady sentinels I had amassed a sizeable pile of younger and younger rocks down Most of these layers are lime- forming columnar basalt. All of amid a changing world. several tons. the length of the wall. stones, shales, and sandstones. these stones are vivid expressions Each layer marks the arrival of of their geologic circumstances. new conditions. The geologic The process of building the history recounts the advance and wall was exquisitely slow. I was retreat of prehistoric seas across learning the skill of dry-stacking the Western landscape, bringing coral reefs, tidal flats, and beaches. The latter parts of the story include vast river systems, inland seas, the rise and fall of di- nosaurs, and two big episodes of volcanic activity. Most of these events are cap- tured in the stone wall. Tropical

Kirk hand-selects stone to dry stack her Wall of Time.

Shop www.braxton-bragg.com for Stone & Tile industry products Visit www.slipperyrockgazette.net for more Stone & Tile industry news | Slippery Rock Gazette May 2018 35

Shop www.braxton-bragg.com for Stone & Tile industry products Visit www.slipperyrockgazette.net for more Stone & Tile industry news | 36 May 2018 Slippery Rock Gazette Step 7: We put skates under the vertical support How to Set a 5,760-Pound Countertop brackets and wheeled the piece into the building after unstrapping from the SKYTRAK. his article actually describes fit through the door. After the crate Mark McMunn how we installed a massive was inside the door, the piece had to Photos Courtesy Mark McMunn Taltar top for a Catholic church, be moved while still in the upright po- but it’s still a top, all the same. The sition to the front of the altar space top we will be discussing has the where it would have to be laid down This type of work also requires a impressive dimensions of 8 feet by 4 flat. After carefully lowering into a tremendous amount of foresight to feet by 1 foot thick. It was made from flat position, the piece still needed to anticipate any contingency and to be “Botticino Classico,” a beautiful, be lifted about three feet and moved prepared for it. It also goes without dense marble from Italy, and weighs forward onto the platform where the saying that you must be EXTREMELY right at 180 pounds per cubic foot. altar base was waiting, which was yet careful and move slowly when handing If you do the math, it works out to another three feet high. Follow along great weights, and when the piece is in 5,760 pounds – just under three tons! with the photos to see how this was motion there is no room for horseplay The following series of photos will accomplished. or joking around. You must make sure show just how involved the process that everyone has room to quickly es- of moving a multi-ton piece of stone It took a crew of 10 men 17.5 work- cape if the piece should suddenly col- Step 8: After getting the piece into position in can be. As you will see, such a project ing hours to accomplish this task. lapse and fall down. front of the altar and laying the piece down in takes the right equipment and is not There were more stop, starts, back- the horizontal position, a rolling A-frame with for the faint of heart or for amateurs. ups and outright start-overs than are Take what lesson you can from the a 14-inch aluminum I-beam and chainfalls were shown in the photos. These types of photos here if you decide you want used to hoist the piece high enough to come over The Task: The job was to move a tasks in the stone business are few your company to move into this seg- crated altar top from the ground and and far between, but you must be ment of the stone business. I hope you the top of the waiting base of four columns..Look then up about 15 feet into a narrow prepared to think on your feet and have enjoyed seeing these great pho- closely and you will see that the wheels are being side door and required the piece to be think way out of the box to get the tos of a challenging task close up. kept straight by a track made out of channel lifted to an upright position in order to job done. Please turn to page 37 irons. Its important to remember this technique, as carrying such a heavy load on an A-frame sup- Step 1: Using a 10,000-pound capacity SKYTRAK Step 4: Crate is now vertical and aligned with port is very hard to manage and unwieldy. This to lift the crated top off the ground. the side door entry point. task marks the end of day one of installation.

Step 2: Carefully moving the crate from the Step 5: The first misstep. We had to back up and Step 9: The piece is being moved forward over the top yard towards the building entry point. uncrate the piece before entering the building. of the four column supports. Everyone in the photo is This required going all the way back to placing holding their breath at this moment! the crate on the ground and starting over, and we lost about an hour and a half of progress.

Step 3: Using nylon straps in the choker position to lift the crate into the vertical position. Step 6: When we got the piece uncrated we realized that brackets were needed to keep the stone Step 10: All are breathing a little sigh of relief as the vertical after release from the SKYTRAK. The piece is now above the support columns. Everyone metal brackets were fabricated / welded on site is busy centering the piece onto the column base. with channel iron, and took several hours.

Shop www.braxton-bragg.com for Stone & Tile industry products Visit www.slipperyrockgazette.net for more Stone & Tile industry news | Slippery Rock Gazette May 2018 37 5,760-Pound Countertop

Continued from page 36 #1 Seller! Most Popular Step 11: We have to back up a Sealer little bit, but we are almost there. The altar top was centered just minutes after this photo was taken. The chainfalls are slowly ratcheted down until the piece is resting on the base. Large rubber mallets are used to tap the piece into its final centered position.

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