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Suggestions for Installation of Granite Sign
Hi All, Just back in the office after a fun afternoon installing a 3000mm x 1200mm x 150mm Polished Black Granite sign. My problem is that the structure we’ve had fabricated as a foundation is such a good fit for the sign that the slings we’re using to install in the slab are stopping it from entering the foundation.
Some solutions we’ve thought of are to source an industrial vacuum suction cup attachment for the forklift and install it that way. Any local supplier we’ve found has said that he would not be able to support the 1536Kg weight safely.
Another idea was to grind channels out of the foundation to allow the slings to drop in. I have concerns about affecting the structural integrity though.
We did have a suggestion of just cutting the slings and letting it drop in. I didn’t fancy telling the client that their once complete sign now conveniently comes in three parts 😛
What would you recommend ? I’m open to all suggestionsThanks in advance
Jamie
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10 Replies
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Hi if that is a steel ledge around the granite can you not drill that and fit lifting eyes, then remove them once its in place. it also gives you the option of removal easily if ever needed
Kev
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Fill the foundation up with ice. Next, place the stone on top and remove the slings. Now dig down the side of the foundation and drill a hole in the side at the bottom. Stand back and watch in amazement as the polished granite sign slowly lowers itself into the foundation as the ice melts 😮
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Hi,
The galvanised steel frame is cemented into the stonework. In hindsight we could have married the two while it was flat and then built the decorative stonewall around it once it was in place. However, you know what they say about hindsight.I like the ice idea. Thinking outside of the box should always bee rewarded. Seeing the sign topple over and become an expensive pile of rubble would just break my heart though :p
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I’d speak to monumental masons. I think they may have scissor type clamps that grab the slab from the top edge (maybe two or three of them) especially for this sort of use.
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Wot about a couple of rope lasso’ s placed around the body of the granite (The greater the weight the tighter it gets – so should generate enough friction to grip the stone tightly). Once it has lowered into place you can slacken it off and remove the ropes easily
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I did cross my mind to try the old lasso trick. I’m trying to err on the side of caution on this one though. The sides are so smooth I don’t think I’d be able to achieve enough friction to hold the slab securely. Just from using the slings today gave me an impression of how helpless I’d be if things started going pear shaped. I’ve been going to the gym a lot recently but I still don’t thing I’d be able to bench 1500kg :p
It did also cross my mind to use an long sling and hoist it along the length of the sign and maybe stop it from toppling forward by using ratchet straps around it. It would mean leaving the strap in there once it’s in place. But that shouldn’t be a problem. Na, I can see that ending horribly too. I think finding a mason with a stone magnet strong enough might be the way to go. I’ve found a supplier in Kilmarnock that might be able to do it but that just eats into the profit. Better to do it right and safely and get paid than not get paid at all. -
Just a thought what about a Hiab lorry fitted with a good brick grab should be able to hold 1500kg even if its just why you remove the slings once you have it over the hole
Kev
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you can use a kerb grab, it will grab it to liftm, but youll need a hi-ab or telehandler
but working on Phill’s Ice Idea, (-)
Put expanded polystyrene into foundation, set the slab on top and pour some petrol onto the polystyrene, watch in amazement as it dissolves 🙂 -
Jamie how much clearance do you actually have? I was thinking a large piece of silk or nylon running the full width of the slab, stitched along the top with a steel tube running along it for support which can be strapped to your hiab/lifter. The nylon or silk can then be cut flush and sacrificed to remain in the hole forever.
However, I do like the beauty of the melting ice. Polystyrene is tricky, if you dont pour enough petrol you may be left with an intact piece which keeps the slab sitting too high
Simon.
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Did you get the sign in yet?
I would put a 3mm piece of rubber in the hole first. Should prevent the granite chipping…
Then use 3 slings. Make sure the "centre" sling is offset by 50mm or so. Then cut the sling closest to the centre sling. It will now be almost balanced on the centre sling.
Tip the sign into the hole on the on the side you cut the sling, and then take up the slack on the opposite sling. Now cut the centre sling.
The sign will now have 1 side in the hole, and the other side out. (50mm to bottom?) Now cut the last sling, and let ‘er plonk into the hole. The rubber "should" prevent any problems.
If not, consult your insurance company regarding the replacement 😀
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