RE: Crate shop equipment

["Jeffrey Wright-Sedam" <upny@uamail.albany.edu>]

Dear Katie,

Jim is right. Considering that wood workers provide a vast variety of services for museums and galleries (crates, exhibition furniture, mounts...etc) why not make an investment that recognizes this very important profession? Finally, if they are going to lose space, I'd suggest that all the shop tool be upgraded - there is nothing that can replace quality, traditional shop tools - new technology is not the answer here.

Best,

Jeffrey Wright-Sedam
Preparator
University Art Museum
Fine Arts Bldg. Rm. 101
1400 Washington Avenue
Albany, New York 12222


-----Original Message-----
From: pacinlist-bounces@pacin.org [mailto:pacinlist-bounces@pacin.org]On
Behalf Of Jim Bodell
Sent: Monday, December 12, 2005 5:14 PM
To: 'PACIN ListServ'
Subject: RE: Crate shop equipment


Katie,

A smaller space is not a more efficient space when it comes to working
with wood, plastic, foam, etc.  Ask anyone who has worked in a wood shop
and they will tell you that you can never have enough tools or work
space.  The processes can be done with fewer tools but that requires
reconfiguring them for each varied task.  This results in time wasted
working on the tools not the materials.  

Generally, the size of a shop is dictated by the material, the processes
involved and the end product sizes.  I can't imagine that the
woodworkers at your facility are pleased with the prospect of a smaller
space in which to work. All the tools mentioned are necessary in
addition to large layout tables/workbenches and material storage.  

Additional equipment will make some processes easier but will require
additional space for proper and safe handling of the materials involved.
This added equipment will not eliminate the need for your existing
equipment.

This is just the humble opinion of a 40 year veteran woodworker. 

Good luck,

Jim Bodell
Exhibitions Preparator
Museum of Arts & Sciences
Macon, GA
 

-----Original Message-----
From: pacinlist-bounces@pacin.org [mailto:pacinlist-bounces@pacin.org]
On Behalf Of Katie Welty
Sent: Monday, December 12, 2005 12:15 PM
To: list@pacin.org
Subject: Crate shop equipment

The Brooklyn Museum's department of Planning and Architecture is 
proposing to move our crate and packing shop and have asked us to 
investigate new alternative saws that could result in a shop with less 
equipment and thus requiring a smaller more efficient space.

Currently, our crater/packer has a table saw, rip saw, band saw, 
vertical wall saw, and a sander.  He cuts  wood, paper, foam and 
plastics on this equipment. Is anyone familiar with alternative 
equipment that may use heat or laser to cut foams and paper more 
efficiently?  I would welcome your suggestions.

Thank you,

Katie Welty

Registrar, Exhibitions and International Loans
Brooklyn Museum 
200 Eastern Parkway
Brooklyn, NY 11238

tel: 718-501-6337	fax: 718-501-6135