Forums > Specific Focus > Home, Garden & Construction in Mexico

Rolly

Oct 12, 2002, 7:43 PM

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This week's update

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We're almost finished with the roof on the south house and the stairs to the roof.We found a place in Juarez where we can buy cabinetry for a lot less than we can buy in Torreón, so we have made a couple of 10-hour trips north to buy stuff. Even with the US$180 round trip costs (tolls and gas), we are still saving considerable money on cabinets, entry doors and nice lighting fixtures. For example, a nice bathroom wash basin and vanity cost US$170. A similar unit in Torreón was over $500. A wall sconce in T was $50; a nicer one in J was $17. Likewise and glass paneled entry door was $150 there vs over $500 locally. I guess competition from Home Depot across the river in El Paso makes a big difference.The name of the store is Del Norte

Richard

Oct 19, 2002, 6:31 PM

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Rolly can you explain two things

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#1. just how do you transcribe the wall marks (your bench marks ) to the floor spikes /your lever height adjustments.
We did something like it I think ??? But we used monofilament fishing line for screed lines/ height markers is that infact what you did ?
#2. How does he produce such uniform spiral twist in the square stock for the gates?
Thanks
and your Project is really coming along nicely to say the least .
Richard

Rolly

Oct 19, 2002, 7:17 PM

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Hope so...

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: #1. just how do you transcribe the wall marks (your bench marks ) to the floor spikes /your lever height adjustments. : We did something like it I think ??? But we used monofilament fishing line for screed lines/ height markers is that in fact what you did ?Yes it is. In one of the pictures you can see Rubin holding a level up to a mark on the wall while Jose is measuring down to the spike. They set a perimeter row of spikes in this manner and then create a grid of strings than allow the setting of more spikes out from the walls.: #2. How does he produce such uniform spiral twist in the square stock for the gates? Sorry to disappoint you, but it comes from the foundry that way.Iron work is so universally used in Mexico that there is a whole catalog of specially formed metal products that you won’t find in the US. Specialty pieces for making doors, windows, security bars, etc. There are, of course, many products that are the same as found in the US, but there is this rather remarkable collection of Mexico-only products.One of these days I post a series of close up shots of some of this specialty stuff.

Richard

Oct 19, 2002, 7:42 PM

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Then One more tehehe they never end do they?

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Does it cost a "lot" more for the twist?
As you remember I live on Cozumel P/T and we fight for fair prices . Gringos often find themselves being asked or expected to pay double.
I charge one price here and expect one price there . . . . sorry to all who dissagree with me but it seems fair to me .

Rolly

Oct 19, 2002, 8:00 PM

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Then One more tehehe they never end do they?

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: Does it cost a "lot" more for the twist?
I don't know. I'll ask Coco. I don't buy the iron or construction material although I am frequently the driver and money handler. I do often deal directly with the electrical wholesaler and I watch him copy the prices right out of the book. There are so few gringos around this area that I doubt that we get boosted prices.

Richard

Oct 20, 2002, 7:21 AM

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Lucky for you+

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I am really enjoying your project Rolly.If you lived closer to a scuba diving location I would be tempted to sell and move and be your Neighhbor (teheheheh the last thing you want is a gringo for a neighbor )But I really like the looks of your building it has a statement but it is so subtle I have yet too put my finger on it.But surfice to say It is looking Great!

Rolly

Oct 20, 2002, 8:40 AM

Post #7 of 10 (1119 views)

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Lucky for you+

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I think the statement is 10 pounds in a 5 pound sack. I often think that when I stand back and view it from a distance. It swamps anything else in the neighborhood.

Rolly / Moderator

Oct 23, 2002, 4:45 PM

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Re: [Richard] Then One more tehehe they never end do they?

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Coco, the iron work guy on the project, says that the square and the twisted steel rods cost the same.

Rolly Pirate

E-visit me http://Rollybrook.com
On Facebook as Rolly Brook

sparks

Oct 23, 2002, 6:46 PM

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By weight or length

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Must be by the pound/kilo and not foot/meter. Does a twist weigh more than straight, I assume ... if so it would cost more. Hmmmmm Tongue

Rolly / Moderator

Oct 23, 2002, 7:33 PM

Post #10 of 10 (1079 views)

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Re: [sparks] By weight or length

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The twist is made from the square stock. The ends of the twisted rods are square. They weight the same and cost the same. Some shops sell the stuff by the kilo, other sell it by the piece (meter).

Rolly Pirate

E-visit me http://Rollybrook.com
On Facebook as Rolly Brook