jerseysign

How are you guys handling this?

Call Belsinger Signs, ask for Wayne (Baltimore MD) they build them.

Heres the screwed up part - we get those rates for non-sign related lifts (roof truss, HVAC units, etc...) We ussually do not charge that to another sign company...because we cant...thats my whole point - our industry still needs to "mature". The way i see it, increased regulations of sorts might just help the industry move more in that direction, those that wont or cant comply will disappear (hopefully)

Yes, that the going rate for 2,000lbs and over, min charge is $1,000. Spotter / flag man rule will increase the reate for everyone - customer pays for it. Dont knowif its against the rules here, but we also get $250 per hour for a 2 man crew, van , pickup, bucket, crane, gocart...$250 per hour point to point. Our cost per man is slightly below that...it is what it is, got to cover costs or why get out of bed. Sure, we lose some jobs to price but you know the deal.

I AGREE with you COMPLETELY - and yes, UL has got to be the most F'd thing we have to deal with (right next to zoning) Howver, I cannot alow myself to become upset with these things, there is power in positvie thinking. It wasnt too long ago when "sign guys" had a brush in one hand and a bottle of spirits in the other, and that wasnt to clean the brush! As an industry we have done alot of the harm ourselves... Part of the reason you have non-ligitimate sign "companies" everywhere is because you can buy a 15" plotter for $1500 and volia - you are a sign company. Town inspectors are lazy and do drive by inspections, hacks print their own BS UL labels and yes install off of ladders stacked ontop of box trucks. Guy down the street has an old cable crane with high school installers...Certified installers ALMOST sounds like a good idea. You just have to sell yourself better and remind your customer they need a quality reliable company (who BTW is insured, accredited and liscensed) - can they afford to take a short cut to save a few bucks if the ladder slips off the roof of the box truck??? I can compete all day long with well put together established quality companies, i can ussualy overcome the price thing with the fly by nights, it just takes more time and effort. I really think some of these things will help us in the long run. Think crane companies - not too many of them in my area that are not fully liscenced, inspected and insured - most bill out a $250 an hour / min 4 hours - i can work with that.

Got to look at the positives, the more regulations the harder it is for the "competition" to stay afloat.

Anyone ever use a staffing agency for a direct hire? Fees are steep, but there are so many responces to the usual sources its become beyond time consuming...

I have lost money in every catagory and often wonder if anyone ever makes REAL money in this business. (I know there are a few but God help me come even close to them). I never had to pay "restitution" due to building damage, but did have to hire painters and EFIS contractors to repair dmamage from improper placement of signs. Yes - there is an "s" on the signs...:(

50% deposit, balance due BEFORE install. Been doing it that way for over a year, we have really pulled our list of "term" customers. Terms defined for us = Net 10. It was a big step for us, we used to be very relaxed in this area, but i believe it is absolutley vital if you are going to survive. To my knowledge we have not lost one customer do to the change. Not to get off subject, but we have all but ceased doing any installation work, we have been burned too many times.

Cant smoke indoors in New Jersey, they havent hit the cars yet, but now that you mentioned it...

We have a zero tolerance policy. Its not something we take lighly, if you are suspected, your tested, if you fail, your gone, doesnt matter the position.

Lost the load line about three times, outriggers leak and are unrealiable, anti-2block does does not work, E-pump (electric pump emergency) has never worked right from the begining, Ford chassis too light duty, broke front leaf springs, tool boxes have come lose and shifted on chasis, boom turret came lose!, hydro tank came lose, muffler fell off!, there is much more, bottom line - we had a lemon, unfortuantlety it happens, how you (the manufacture and dealer) deal with it makes all the diffrence, they did'nt, we suffered / they lost / we still did not win - by a long shot - it will never buy another Manitex as long as I am in business... So how are those Skylift, looking of another truck...?

The thread was about skylight cranes, of which I have no knowledge. As far as Manitex, we own a 65' skycarne (2006) bought for $130,000 had to put another $30,000 into it to get it right, thats all!!

Not going to hijack the thread, but if you really want to know how Manitex treats you when there are problems, contact me.

Door tag on office door in Municipal Building I was recently in; "Economic Developer / Planner"

2006 Manitex 62 skycrane. Bought the truck new, its been a real letdown ever since we got it. Works great when it works, but I swear we cant get a full month without some kind of problem. Blown hyro lines, failed valves, anti-2blcok from hell. Problems with the cummins engine, tool boxes comming loose, cat track comming aprat - Many times till we found it was to long... Its been a real problem.

Thanks for all the replys. Looks like we found a local source to water jet our sheets.

Thanks, we have used US sign and yes they are good. This is a simple project realy, its part of a much larger brake formned cladding job. All we are really tring to do is cut some 2" x 10" strips for an interior directory sign, I suppose the shear would work, but hink they were supposed to have rounded corners...

Material is .063 (1/8) Have tried the slowest speed settings, the bit penetrates OK, but as soon as it starts traveling it breaks. Vacuum table Precix

We are having problems breaking bits cutting thru stainless steel? Material we are cutting is .063. Thanks

RIP

Hi Everyone, We have a 2006 Manitex SC62 skycrane that has been plaqued with problems from day one, we bought it new. Service from the dealer and manufacture have been horrible, anyone else have similiar problems?

Nova has scaled down quite a bit

Visible Graphics (CA) Access Signs (Canada) Federal Heath Persona Innerface Architectual Bell Signs (FL) Dualite Jones (WI) Superior Electrical Advertiing Visual Products Everbrite