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To those who attended the show did anyone look at a company product called Diamond Surfaces. I had a disributor drop off some samples kinda cool colors, but was wondering if the sheet stock is good or will it have the same issues as a fair amount of import stuff.
Reuben
Saw it. Talked to them for a minute, not interested but checked it out anyway. I believe their product is 100% polyester not even a blend. Whole nother animal there. I would not doubt these people are going to target the DIY crowd. Regular SS seams are going to be a pain and they suggest using a soft seam, how easy for a homeowner. And since it comes with an edge already finished seam need to go direcly in the corner.
John
John,
You are correct about them having a 100% polyester and prerouted edge. This pre-routed edge is on the 3cm near as I can tell. However they also are offering acrylics also.
To all:
I am looking into this line fairly deeply, but was curious as to some input on 100% polyester. They are sending me a chunk to play with to see what I think, but was more curious dur to the fact that is what the sinks are made of. What should I epect as compared to the blends like Fomica and Avonite? Also if used this sink on their acrylics would it be a weaker bond since it is would be more of a mechanical bond than a chemical? Any advice or technical help would be appriciated?
Reuben
A Polyester, if made properly is not a problem to fabricate.. Different but not that much. Formica is a blend, while Avonite Studio collection is still all polyester. I would be interested in hearing more about this line, I wonder who makes it in China. As you know there are some good products from China and some really bad products. This may be another brand but being sold as Diamond, much as Dovea and a few others do. I will say the poly from china can be bought really cheap in container qty…too cheap.. so much it worries me what they have in them.
I was planning on getting the MSDS sheets of the polys only to see. I really am not impressed with the colors choosen for the polyesters, the acrylics do in the other hand appeal to me. They are offerring a undemount sink in black which also peaks my interest, but was curious as to any potential performance problems.
Reuben
A solid surface sink in black? That would be terriffic, but it would also worry me. Alot of very knowledgeable companies have worked on a black solid surface sink and have not been able to make one that didn’t scratch white, or have thermal problems. I would ask for some test results, and, many of the chinese companies come with no warranty. The warranty is provided by the seller.. which.. could be here next year or not. I would walk slowly, not assuming anything.
Keep us informed.
Wags,
The black sink is going to have the typical problems. So naturally I would not promote that unless it is show peice only.
They have gicen me some really low pricing on the polyester sheets (limited colors) I am like you what could they have in it to make it so cheap. Do you have any thoughts or what should one be looking for to detect problems ahead of time?
Reuben
YOu can EMail me with pricing etc. All I can say is, I have looked at dozens of SS from China, and most, is crap. Lenny has said this in the past, the quality varies greatly, even from sheet to sheet or pallet to pallet. I have had companies offer me sheets that were almost as cheap as laminate…. but it was till overpriced for what you receive. Know you will probably be on the hook for any “warranty” problems, as they won’t honor any. As a distributor its very tempting to get a container of this cheap material, but I would lose all credibility with my customers if I tried to pass that off as solid surface. I am not speaking of Diamond, as I do not know the product, but just in general. Ask them to give you a shee and test it. Check for thickness, drop test etc.. I have seen tests on material that I am almost sure are faked… look at what just happened with Animal Food… their system is not like ours… the government has a hand in every company there, and they just look the other way. And forget about sueing a company there,, none of us will live long enought to collect a penny from them.
As often is the case, buyer beware.. Why can they sell it so much cheaper than anyone else?? Even DuPont has a plant in China,…..im sure no one buys raw materials for less than they do.. .there is a reason… Quality.
Good Luck !
We had Polystone (china) make us our new 3CM material. We finalized the colors and rec’d our container. So far we are pleased with the peformance as far as fabricating is concerned. I was a little less concened with getting it from them since they have distributors for their 1/2″ through out the country already. I will be sending a pc out to a ab soon to check on the specs they gave me.
John
wags999@aol.com Would there be better acceptance if the 3cm material was acrylic rather than polyester? I know typically poly is used, bascially because its cheaper to produce.
Yes poly would weight a little less, depending on how much ATH was in the mix. It is also softer (typically) and structually weaker than its Acrylic counterpart. A 3 cm acrylic would be almost bullet proof. But it should cost a bit more.. The larger the shop, the more advantages a 3CM is. If your runing a CNC, you can cut, shape and even sand on them. almost eliminates the labor. Smaller shops would not see the same savings. Just curious what everyones thoughts are on 3 CM material in general, and 3 CM acrylic in particular.
As far a weight Norm a C1 product from Avonite is about the same as the F1 in weight, so. the ATH content has alot to do with the weight. Because poly doesn’t need as much ATH to give it workability it may weight less, but would also be softer at that point. Take the K3, some are at 40 on the hardness scale, compared to 60 for the F1.. big difference, but also a huge difference in looks.
Wags, F1, C1, K3. These are all fire ratings I presume, why the discrepancy with the first inital, what does that mean?
Yes the number does indicate the fire rating of the material. But the fire rating of the material is directly connected to how much ATH is in the mix (and hence how much resin). ATH contains a molecule of water locked in it, it is a combination of more ATH and less resin that gives the product the Class 1 fire rating. Once you reach about, 50% ATH your fire rating becomes class 1. Since ATH weights more than the resin, the glass sheets weigh less than the filled poly or acrylic. Obviously the F is for Formstone, C is classic, K is crystals, not sure if there is a deeper meaning or not.
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