Kenfab HQ (Australia)

[Kenfab]

First sheet on:

Botched the screws on the first sheet leaning out over the frame. Im not great with heights so rushed it and didn't line them up, whoops.

Second sheet on

First Sheet of polycarb
Did i mention i hate roofing.

Note screws close to the other end

Gutter works

Gutter works better when it has a hole

Slowly building out

 

[Terrick down Under]

Only the pilots and NASA are going to see the screws, don't let it get to you ...keep on going.....I can relate to your heights issue. My mates and family say I am like a cross between a sloth and an octopus on the roof. I am ok with the trusses and putting on the battens, but as soon as that first sheet goes on......SLOTH again.
SO keep going and keep us posted.
Terrick

 

[Lyndon]

Mate,

Played hard, done well.

As the previous National Logistics Manager for the company that distributed "Suntuf" in Australia (made by Palram in a kibbutz in Israel if you wanted to know ), I heartily agree with both - a) pitching the roof, and b) using grey coloured P/Carbonate.

From my experience, and training, that's the way to go. My own deck has a pitched roof, with colour bond sheeting and opal P/carbonate sky lights.

Wel done young fella.

Lyndon
Is it that time already?

 

[Kenfab]

Only the pilots and NASA are going to see the screws, don't let it get to you ...keep on going.....I can relate to your heights issue. My mates and family say I am like a cross between a sloth and an octopus on the roof. I am ok with the trusses and putting on the battens, but as soon as that first sheet goes on......SLOTH again.
SO keep going and keep us posted.
Terrick

My block slopes so much that im level with the roof, i can see it every time i look out my shed. Haha i can relate to the sloth/ octopus thing! Thanks for stopping by

Mate,

Played hard, done well.

As the previous National Logistics Manager for the company that distributed "Suntuf" in Australia (made by Palram in a kibbutz in Israel if you wanted to know ), I heartily agree with both - a) pitching the roof, and b) using grey coloured P/Carbonate.

From my experience, and training, that's the way to go. My own deck has a pitched roof, with colour bond sheeting and opal P/carbonate sky lights.

Wel done young fella.

Lyndon
Is it that time already?

Lyndo, thats pretty cool mate! Must have been a pretty full on job they stock suntuf everywhere! I was a bit hesitant on the polycarb because the heat it lets in, but i need the light so i guess i have to trade off. Maybe ill get a solar poweres whirlybird.

The opal is a bit more translucent isnt it?

Thanks bud

 

[racingtadpole]

String line to get your screws straight, chalk line and pilot drill if you want them absolute dead nuts.
When you screw your battens on, offset the screws from centre, one on the high side of centre next on the low, that way when you string your roofing screws to centre you avoid the inevitable.. Ask me how I know this...

 

[Kenfab]

String line to get your screws straight, chalk line and pilot drill if you want them absolute dead nuts.
When you screw your battens on, offset the screws from centre, one on the high side of centre next on the low, that way when you string your roofing screws to centre you avoid the inevitable.. Ask me how I know this...

Yeah haha i had chalk lines and string lines on the ground, thought i had it close. Oh well

 

[Lyndon]

My block slopes so much that im level with the roof, i can see it every time i look out my shed. Haha i can relate to the sloth/ octopus thing! Thanks for stopping by



Lyndon, thats pretty cool mate! Must have been a pretty full on job they stock suntuf everywhere! I was a bit hesitant on the polycarb because the heat it lets in, but i need the light so i guess i have to trade off. Maybe ill get a solar poweres whirlybird.

The opal is a bit more translucent isnt it?

Thanks bud

Mark

Oh the stories I could tell about working for the Australian Distributor of Suntuf. But let's not go there.

From what I learnt, the only colour that lets in heat is the clear. And we always used to say - the only place in Australia that should install clear Suntuf is Hobart. Elsewhere it is/was sold as Grey/opal/bronze depending upon your location. Opal is good here in Sydney, because it let's in the light, but not the heat. (Ask me one day, before dementia sets in and I'll draw you a diagram). And the roof should always be pitched so any radiant heat is way above your head. These flat roofed things just get the heat closer to your head.......

Lyndon
Head spinning.....

 

[Kenfab]

Mark

Oh the stories I could tell about working for the Australian Distributor of Suntuf. But let's not go there.

From what I learnt, the only colour that lets in heat is the clear. And we always used to say - the only place in Australia that should install clear Suntuf is Hobart. Elsewhere it is/was sold as Grey/opal/bronze depending upon your location. Opal is good here in Sydney, because it let's in the light, but not the heat. (Ask me one day, before dementia sets in and I'll draw you a diagram). And the roof should always be pitched so any radiant heat is way above your head. These flat roofed things just get the heat closer to your head.......

Lyndon
Head spinning.....

Whos mark

 

[Lyndon]

Whos mark

Oops.... I meant Ken

I blame the Chemo....

Lyndon
You know - the confused one....

 

[1/2 Cup]

Done well Kenfab

 

[Kenfab]

What a busy 3 weeks! Picked up about 10 plasma cutting jobs, 5 after hours plumbing jobs, put all the roof sheets on my carport, ordered and received the majority of the parts for the CNC scribe for my plasma cutter... and all that while working full time in the construction game.

Photos are uploading super slow so ill probably do a few big posts in the morning stay tuned!

 

[G20-Budo]

Wow!! You made some SERIOUS progress mate! Great to hear, and looking forward to the photos!

 

[Kenfab]

Cantilevered Section from the front

Doubled up the 2x4s with 10mm Rod so that i can keep my screw line relatively straight haha

Front Beam across

First Diagonal up

Second one in

Bugle screwed and excess lopped off

More sheets on... did i mention i hate roofing.. excuse the timber and pipe up in the trusses

Had forecast rain in the middle of summer got the downpipes in with 10 minutes to spare

Sheets to the end

First coat on, was so hot the paint was drying on the roller

 

[G20-Budo]

Looking great mate! You made some good progress there.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Looking fantastic.

Thanks for the update.

Regards

 

[Kenfab]

Had a stone chip turn into a huge crack in my window of my ute.
Nissan wanted $1200, so i got a local guy to come out while i was at work for $200

Treated the dog to a trip to my favouite beach about 30 minutes away now that i can drive the ute again

Got home and scribed my ridge capping. Ended up looking **** so i think ill replace it.. Love my new milwaukee fan

Been feeding this thing with plenty of steel

A couple of signs i cut on the plasma

2 Layer 2mm mild steel with LEDs and Acrylic Iron Man Silhouette

Mazda sign.. lots of dross had a few issues with torch height

 

[G20-Budo]

Ken, those are some sweet cuttings you did.. If shipping wasn't so costly, I'd ask you to make me a small sign or two.

 

[Kenfab]

Ken, those are some sweet cuttings you did.. If shipping wasn't so costly, I'd ask you to make me a small sign or two.

Cheers Kyle!

I could probably sort something out with someone a bit more local to you if your interested in something in particular. Postage might not even be that bad, 75 of your cents buys a dollar here.

 

[Grumblebum]

Good progress Ken. The carport looks like it will give you plenty of privacy now and a good bbq spot for when it's raining.

My missus would be all over the ironman work.

Cheers GB.

 

[Kenfab]

Good progress Ken. The carport looks like it will give you plenty of privacy now and a good bbq spot for when it's raining.

My missus would be all over the ironman work.

Cheers GB.

Thanks gb! The carport is the future winter welding area now that i have no room in my actual shed. i may park a car in there very rarely

Haha its actually for a mates missus that loves iron man

 

[Cris B]

Love the Mazda sign! Great work!

 

[anth]

Those Datsun signs look terrible. I don't want one, nope, not at all.

 

[Kenfab]

Those Datsun signs look terrible. I don't want one, nope, not at all.

Bahaha wait til you see the one im doing now 1000x700mm gonna look even more terrible

 

[Kenfab]

So been a while since the last update..

Around March I got made redundant, which wasnt really ideal, was only without a job for a few weeks, but no longer working on union construction sites, now working for a smaller mostly domestic plumbing company.

Pretty substantial pay cut but i get a company vehicle now

get to drive some cool machinery also

and construct weird contraptions to pressure test fire hydrants

and the result... 500m of 6" fire main pumped up to 1700kpa (250psi) getting released from a hydrant

I have also been flat out with my own plumbing business on the side, as well as a bunch of plasma cutting.

 

[Kenfab]

Made up this sign for a good customer

4 layers of 2mm mild steel powdercoated, then hand painted detail on the top layer

Got a hand from a local pinstriper/brush sign writer called moondog doing the brushwork. He also runs a 2 day brush painting workshop, which i signed up to do. Was probably one of the best experiences Ive had.


Not my photos, im the fat bloke in the black shirt

was a full day getting used to using a brush and paint

then we got a stained piece of plywood to do whatever design we wanted to do.
i went with a bit of an art deco font with my business name

a bit of assistance getting the technique right

also got to learn how to use a pinstriping brush to do a line around the border

was a great day and moondogs workshop / garage is amazing

 

[Kenfab]

moondog also runs a local low brow art show/auction.. artists are welcome to setup a table and sell their art, one item must be donated to be auctioned off for charity.

I sadly couldnt attend, but donated this piece anyway.

got a message saying it was the 2nd most bidded on item at the show

 

[Kenfab]

picked up this bad boy in a tool shop sale

pretty cheaply made, but looks good enough until i can craft one myself

it will hold my growing oneshot paint collection and brushes

just a casual kangaroo hopping down the road on the way to work

picked up a bargain off gumtree (craigslist in australia) for $200 ($150usd)

 

[Lyndon]

Ken

If you don't want to keep that Kincrome box - I'll take it off you're hands when you're done with it - I think it's really cool (in my old bloke way of sayin' . . . . .)!!!

Lyndon
Glad to see you back.

 

[Kenfab]

Ken

If you don't want to keep that Kincrome box - I'll take it off you're hands when you're done with it - I think it's really cool (in my old bloke way of sayin' . . . . .)!!!

Lyndon
Glad to see you back.

theyre pretty cool hey! haha

Thanks mate! Ive missed this place, nice to be able to get stuck into threads and have a good read!

 

[1/2 Cup]

Ken, great to see you back.

Your sign writing is just awesome..


Regards

 

[Terrick down Under]

KF, style is like class, you've got it! Well done on your artwork

 

[anth]

Nice update Ken, I too did a sign-writing course late last year, I'll have to get an update up soon.

 

[TwoBytes]

Hey mate, glad to hear the new job is working out well

That sign writing course looks like great fun, and the end result looks awesome!

 

[hewey]

Loving the sign work mate. The plasma cut signs look great, and great to see you getting in to the handpainted stuff too. I follow Moondog on instagram, he does some really nice work and seems like a nice guy.

 

[Kenfab]

Nice update Ken, I too did a sign-writing course late last year, I'll have to get an update up soon.

thanks mate, oh the ones in melbourne look great! look forward to seeing ya next one

Hey mate, glad to hear the new job is working out well

That sign writing course looks like great fun, and the end result looks awesome!

'


Thanks mate!

 

[Westozfixer]

Kenfab, you ****,Ive been chasing one of those wooden Kincrome boxes for years to no avail, can't even get one like it shipped from the states for a sensible price. I'm moving to Adelaide soon so maybe we can have a beer one day.

 

[dlcwent]

Ken, I'm impressed. The signs are awesome. I was a little surprised that I haven't posted on your thread before. I was sure I had until I looked back through it and alas, no post from me.(maybe that's a good thing)

 

[Kenfab]

Loving the sign work mate. The plasma cut signs look great, and great to see you getting in to the handpainted stuff too. I follow Moondog on instagram, he does some really nice work and seems like a nice guy.

Thanks mate! ill have to take some pics of my latest signs
If i could pay the bills hand painting stuff every day, id quit my job tomorrow, i love it. Just need to stock up my 1shot
moondog is a top bloke, happy to share his tips and experience with everyone

 

[Kenfab]

Kenfab, you ****,Ive been chasing one of those wooden Kincrome boxes for years to no avail, can't even get one like it shipped from the states for a sensible price. I'm moving to Adelaide soon so maybe we can have a beer one day.

HAHA sorry mate, i was also chasing one for years. I was ropable when I heard they got discontinued, was just at total tools one day, and it was in the clearance area for $150. welcome anytime for a beer when you get to adelaide

Ken, I'm impressed. The signs are awesome. I was a little surprised that I haven't posted on your thread before. I was sure I had until I looked back through it and alas, no post from me.(maybe that's a good thing)

Thanks mate! i reckon i might have a couple of south australian number plates that might go nicely with your collection if your interested

 

[dlcwent]

Ken, that would be just awesome if you would add to the GJ wall of fame. I'll PM you my address. And if you'd like a plate or two from Maine, I'll be happy to send 'em your way.