nbrowne
Registered Users
Posts:6
 |
| 06/06/2008 6:22 PM |
|
I am looking at buying a new set of Icf braces and was looking for some different perspectives on them. WHo uses what, what are the benefits and disadvantages of the ones you have used? If you have used different types which would you prefer? etc.
Thanks |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chris Johnson
Registered Users
Posts:341
|
| 06/07/2008 12:37 PM |
|
You want to purchase the most stable and most lightest possible (carrying them out of a basement...you'll see why you want light)
I have only used 3 different ones
ARXX - Heavy - good quality
Nudura - Medium (I own these) - Decent, replace 1 - 2 turnbuckles a year
Reechcraft - Light - Really light, don't like the flex in the wall channel, no handles on turnbuckle requires another tool during alignment
All cost within a few dollars of each other |
|
Chris Johnson - Pro ICF
Napa, CA
Come for the wine, Stay for the ICF work |
|
|
Cattail Bill
Registered Users
Posts:246
|
| 06/08/2008 2:21 PM |
|
nbrowne we designed our own bracing product after using several brands, Chris is correct look for good quality that is light weight for handiling.
The most important thing we found when we decided to create our own product was educating the buyer on the proper use of the product.
Bob will send you some info for the Summit Bracing system that we manufacture in our plant in Minnesota just give him a call at 218-685-4403 |
|
|
|
|
aronmac
Registered Users
Posts:39
|
| 06/08/2008 8:42 PM |
|
| Unless someone has come out with something better that I haven't seen yet, I would get the Arxx braces. I have seen some pretty funny, flimsy braces that I don't know how they ever worked, but Arxx has a good brace system. The only thing that I would do to make it a better brace, which you can convert when you get them, is to unbolt the A frame bracket and flip it around so that it lines up with your gravity pins in the strong back. In doing this, you will have a solid surface on the other face of the strong back to put a level on. Some guys like to go off of the walls when they are plumb & lining, some guys like to go off of the braces. I do both, but give preference to the strong back. Having a clear surface on one side of the strong back makes it easy to put the level on and plumb quickly, which helps if your short on time during a pour. |
|
|
|
|
icfblocks
Registered Users
Posts:265
|
| 06/10/2008 9:10 PM |
|
| We own and use both Arxx (HEAVY) 12' and Nudura (medium) 10' braces. The 12' are commercial style no flex, can't buy any more. Nudura is a lot lighter but still OK. You still can buy. The current Arxx system does look stout. Haven't used any. |
|
Thanks,
Tom
www.advbuildingtech.com |
|
|
miformguy
Registered Users
Posts:25
|
| 06/10/2008 9:53 PM |
|
I have used lumber with pretty good success for a number of years. The majority of those years as a very small time operation. I did almost everything by myself. I would be leary of anybody using that method with a crew because it can get very dangerous. When I purchased my first set of bracing ( a basic 8' set with fixed turnbuckles ) I thought I had the world by the a**. After discovering the limitations with what I had I tried a couple of other systems. What I found most important is to check for deflection in the strongback. A few of the ones I tried had an unacceptable amount. You must also look at the amount of play you get when they are put together. Between the pins at the strongback and the adjustable foot....on some of them....there is too much play. A little in each area adds up a bunch. We are now using a set we had custom built at a fab shop using our specs. Now we have nice deep strongbacks and telescopic turnbuckles with no play or deflection. We didn't save any money but we are happy with the results.
Virgil Schmidt
ICF Builders |
|
|
|
|
mark3885
Registered Users
Posts:10
|
| 06/11/2008 6:50 AM |
|
I'm looking for a place that I can rent the braces. Does anybody know of a source around Buffalo New York? What is the cost of a bracing system? I thought of buying the braces I need then selling them after I'm done. Mark
|
|
|
|
|
Chris Johnson
Registered Users
Posts:341
|
| 06/11/2008 8:19 PM |
|
| Mark...where did you purchase your block from? Ask that distributor to rent you his...Bracing rental is normally part of the distributors contract with the manufacture...he has bracing available for rent |
|
Chris Johnson - Pro ICF
Napa, CA
Come for the wine, Stay for the ICF work |
|
|
mark3885
Registered Users
Posts:10
|
| 06/12/2008 6:27 AM |
|
| the company went out of business soon after I received my blocks. We had all the bracing set up to be picked up and out of the blue they went bankrupt. I'm using Amvic brand blocks. I'll check with another distributer in my area. thanks for the reply. |
|
|
|
|