starting A granite fabrication shop

[topguy]

I am sarting my own granite shop, I have talk to a few suppliers about the tools I would need. I keep getting different ranges of prices,what tools I would need to begin. Any help or suggestions would be much appreciated Thanks Topguy

[Mark D.]

Tell me:
How many fabricators will you be employing?
How many kitchens a week do you intend to do?
Will you be doing just countertops or is there more to it?
Stareting a shop can range from just a few thousand dollars to $1,000,000 or more depending on the scope of your facility.

Tell me more and I will be happy to give you some options.
Mark

[topguy]

Thanks Mark for your response,  There will be two Fabricators, we are looking to do two jobs a week. It seems to be very difficult to get any information from local fabricators,any infomation will be greatly appreciated

[Mark D.]

You will need:

A slab saw. I have listed 2 inexpensive ones you can use until you grow into a bigger unit. These are for your straight cuts
http://www.defusco.com/Saws-&-Accessories-Stone-Saws-&-Stone-fab-machines/c40_656/p2549/Alpha-Rail-Saw-Package-w/-AWS-125-522-Saw/product_info.html
http://www.defusco.com/Saws-&-Accessories-Stone-Saws-&-Stone-fab-machines/c40_656/p2581/BARRANCA-WET-CUTTING-RAIL-SAW/product_info.html


Variable speed grinders. Here is one I like from Bosch:
http://www.defusco.com/Power-&-Pneumatic-Tools-Electric-Angle-Grinders/c78_674/p2515/522-BOSCH-HD-VARIABLE-SPEED-ANGLE-GRINDER/product_info.html

Grinding cups - choose a good 4" one to start:
http://www.defusco.com/Diamond-Products-Diamond-Grinding-Cups---Granite/c25_480/index.html

router bits for the grinders. Eventually you will go with a stone router but these are much less expensive to get you going as they go on a regular grinder or a wet grinder:
http://www.defusco.com/Diamond-Products-Grinder-Shaping-Bits/c25_621/index.html

Small diameter blades:
http://www.defusco.com/Diamond-Products-Dry-Cutting-Turbo-Rim-Blades/c25_23/p2753/4-1/222-Mini-Slayer-Supreme-Granite-Turbo-Diamond-Blade/product_info.html
http://www.defusco.com/Diamond-Products-Dry-Cutting-Turbo-Rim-Blades/c25_23/p2711/522-Mini-Slayer-Supreme-Granite-Turbo-Diamond-Blade/product_info.html
http://www.defusco.com/Diamond-Products-Dry-Cutting-Turbo-Rim-Blades/c25_23/p2107/722-DISCO-BLUE-STONE-TURBO-BLADE/product_info.html

Concave blade for bowl cuts:
http://www.defusco.com/Diamond-Products-Specialty-Fabricating-Tools-CONCAVE-DIAMOND-BLADES/c25_35_489/index.html

Grinding drums:
http://www.defusco.com/Diamond-Products-Specialty-Fabricating-Tools-Brazed-Diamond-Grinding-Drums/c25_35_666/index.html

2 wet polishers:
http://www.defusco.com/Diamond-Products-Specialty-Fabricating-Tools-Brazed-Diamond-Grinding-Drums/c25_35_666/index.html

and wet pads:
http://www.defusco.com/Diamond-Products-Diamond-Polishing-Pads-&-Backers-EdgeMaster-422-wet-Premium-polpad/c25_30_725/index.html

maybe a set of dry pads for when you have to correct it at the install:
http://www.defusco.com/Diamond-Products-Diamond-Polishing-Pads-&-Backers-EdgeShine-422-Dry-Polishing-Pads/c25_30_723/index.html

core bits
http://www.defusco.com/Diamond-Products-Drilling-Solutions-for-Stone,-Ti-Dry-Segmented-Hi-Speed-Stone-Cor/c25_497_680/p2150/1-3/822-X-5/822-11-SEG-DRY-STONE-CORE-BIT/product_info.html

Flowing epoxy for laminations
http://www.defusco.com/Glues:-Epoxy,-Polyester,-etc.-Epoxy-for-Natural-Stone/c82_500/index.html

polyester resin for seams
http://www.defusco.com/Glues:-Epoxy,-Polyester,-etc.-Polyester-Resins/c82_501/index.html

color for both glues
http://www.defusco.com/Glues:-Epoxy,-Polyester,-etc.-Coloring-Kits/c82_504/index.html

possibly sealers like hydrex,, protex or Ager (if you want to give it the wet look)
http://www.defusco.com/Glues:-Epoxy,-Polyester,-etc.-Hydrex-Sealer/c82_502/index.html
http://www.defusco.com/Glues:-Epoxy,-Polyester,-etc.-Protex-Sealer-for-stone/c82_719/index.html
http://www.defusco.com/Glues:-Epoxy,-Polyester,-etc.-Ager-Sealer-&-Ager-Tiger-Sealer/c82_503/index.html

sundry items such as razor blades, rags, tongue depressors, extension cords, denatured alcohol or acetone (the non-greasy kind), 'C' clamps
for the installs you will also need silicone

That would be a good start. I can help. Call me durnig the day at 800-289-6834.
Mark

[scottinphoenix]

-slab rack
-slab cutting table if you are going to use a rail saw or circular saw.(Usually people make these on their own out of wood or steel with a 4-8 inch think bed of portland cement on top)
I would personally go with the barranca rail saw over the alpha, the bigger diameter blade will cut faster and last longer.
Your also going to need a special "rodding blade" to make extra wide cuts in the underside of sink pieces so you can fit your steel rods in.
and your going to need dust collectors next to your fabrication stations osha can be pretty hard core.

[mr stone]

ah starting small sounds great one problem with most start up companies is they try to get too big too fast. two jobs a week sounds like a great start. since you probably wont be starting out with a cnc i strongly recommend that you focus more on  wet polishing than dry to keep your quality in better competition. use wet polishers rather than grinders . also rebar your sinks, small companies cant afford the wasted time and money of a broken sink top. sawing machings are awesome and i love them but for 2 jobs a week a rail saw is sufficient. you will need diamond drill bits. wet pads as well as dry pads. gorilla clamps are great for seams. color match. epoxies. sealers and waxes. there are many types of these items and everyone swears by another so just try different types until you find what suits your company. you will definitley need a good quality router and anthrax as well. the list goes on but this should be a great start..good luck.

[Ray]

Where is the shop located?

[kattima]

Construct your granite fabrication facility. First, decide on the size and scope of your fabrication building. This decision will be largely dictated by the dimensions of the cutting and polishing equipment you use, and by the inside storage space required by granite stock you want to keep under cover. To save yourself time and money, consider the purchase of a specially sized metal building. Design the interior layout to satisfy your own requirements.