05 July 2012

A while back we used to run a regular spot in F&C called The 'Tool I Can’t Do Without'. In house it was shortened to ICD (I can’t do), but was more often referred to as OCD. For the year or so it ran I had some fun with it outside of the magazine asking what was often perceived as a trick question to unsuspecting victims. What goes around comes around and I was thrown the exact same curved ball the other day. I always thought I’d be prepared for it, in fact I had answered the question a hundred times over in my mind, should I ever find myself on the receiving end.

But the answer I gave shocked me for it wasn’t what I had planned; a digital range finder, Bosch GLM 80 to be exact. It was about as far removed from the tool I had in mind as you could imagine. But rules is rules and the first answer is the one that counts.

Justification for this random outburst is easily explained given the nature of a recent project, a remodelling of a tricky space over 50sqm with three ceiling heights and not a straight wall in sight. I must have taken the same measurements a dozen times at least as the project moved through its fazes.

The cabinets were made off-site, about a 200 mile round trip away, so there was plenty of incentive to capture all the information in minute detail. So what if I did become slightly obsessed with straight lines, and yes I was a right royal pain in the arse at times but it was all worth it. Robert, Phil, Mark and Lee – cheers guys, another great job.

By my reckoning I’d say a digi tape cuts the amount of time spent on surveying by at least half and in many cases negates the need for steps and a second pair of hands to hold the end of the tape. If you want to save time on site and ‘time is money’ as they say, you should be using one. I still haven’t got my head around all the functions on the GLM 80 and probably wont need to but then what do I know.

This Sunday I’ll be at the Amex Stadium in Brighton for the PR Industrials tool show. Looking forward to it so if you’re in the neighbourhood drop by and say hello.

Derek

Images, from top to bottom:

1. With the space stripped bare it was time to establish some centre lines and levels

2. A little repair can go along way and the first datum to establish was the entrance into the space

3. Bath space before…

4. and after

5. vanity space before…

6. and after (PHOTOGRAPHS BY GMC/DEREK JONES)

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