beechstreet

300 Kilo's of Lead is quite cheap and very Compact.

I like that idea, even if they do manage to muscle it out imagine their disappointment when they discover ingots of lead, not gold, inside.

For reasons unrelated to this "discussion" I've been looking for some lead...do you have a source in Bangkok?

no offence meant, but do you think anybody but you would like to live in this... thing?

Ha! None taken Naam.

I realize that it's appearance (certainly in this model) might not be appealing to most, but I hope the way it works is universal.

Horse stable is a new one! I like it. Father-in-Law says it looks like a school from this side and a factory from the other...which is apropos since the house is just a machine for living.

For more confusing architecture I recommend...http://www.archdaily.com/category/houses/

And for some good humored modernism bashing...http://unhappyhipsters.com/

My wife and I are building a "Modern" or "Contemporary" house in Nonthaburi....Just wanted to share a link for our blog: http://www.ifitsaperfectday.com/

I realize it isn't the style of most Thai Visa members but figured someone out there might find the approach interesting. We are both architects (licensed) from the US, but she's Thai and I've been here long enough to know that we have an uphill battle. We aren't trying to break the Thai system or impose our American standards (insert scatological pun here), but we do think that there are smarter ways to build in this context. For us this house is a step towards finding those ways and we hope that when the dust settles we're a little bit smarter.

The building is just under 300 square meters which is divided into living space, a design studio and a metal/wood/ceramic workshop. Our structure is steel moment-frame with hollow core slabs and light gauge metal framing. The goal is to build a light weight, well insulated building with a structure that allows for maximum future utility. We hope that our design practice takes off in which case the whole building could convert to office/studio. But if the practice dwindles and the family grows nurseries and playrooms can be added within the existing structure. Or if we skip town altogether the whole thing can be converted to small retail/rental units.

Since we were designing the house for ourselves we don't have any of the usual renderings or presentation models...just lots of rough study models. I've included a photo of one that represents the overall design the best (but doesn't really represent materials and finishes). The basic approach was to take cues from the original thai house and just follow the guidelines for good design in tropical climates.

I've gathered a lot of good info from this forum so if anyone has questions let me know.

I could also use some cardboard tubes, but bigger, about 3 or 4 inches, from 2 to 4 feet long, also for shipping. Im in the Pattaya area, if someone has any or knows where I can get some, it would be greatly appreciated. A truck load would be fine! Thanks

Did you ever find a supplier?

I have seen plenty of ads for custom carbide tooling but unfortunately I don't have any personal experience to share...

However there is a pretty big machinery/tooling trade show coming up at the end of the month which would be an ideal place to shop around for suppliers...http://www.metalex.co.th/

Is this also the place to be for wooden interior doors?

Definitely lots of door shops.

As mentioned above...Soi Furniture aka Bang Pho.

Here's a link to Google Maps

If that doesn't work the GPS coordinates of the entrance to the soi are (13.809201008850302, 100.52179098129272)

It's one-way from west to east. I always drive and usually don't have a problem finding a parking spot along the soi.

...electrical supplies can be bought from the Thai branch of RS...

RS Thailand

Wow. Awesome resource! Does anyone know if they have a retail location?

As far as I could find on their website the only address they list looks like an office/HQ location (8th floor of some tower)

Unfortunately one of our most loved/used kitchen knives was damaged the other day. Repairing it is way beyond my expertise and, I am assuming, beyond the average neighborhood sharpener's skills. It's not a cheap knife so I don't want to risk it with anyone short of an expert (although it might already be beyond repair)...

Any thoughts?

To the OP if your thanking of bringing in proper electrical fittings from AUS then I would suggest that you bring in some proper PVC conduit also. This crap her would not pass for water pipe let alone electrical in the west.

SCG (aka Elephant Pipe I think) has a pretty clean and solid looking PVC system. I haven't gotten an actual catalog or cut sheets yet but the pipe I saw (at the "SCG Experience" at CDC) was labeled "uPCV NPI High Impact White".

After seeing it in person we are considering using it in an exposed application for our house (the quote for steel conduit made me soil my pants).

I was just on this page last night...http://www.elephantpipe.com/product_tel_white.html

first column is nominal size

second column is OD (with tolerance)

third column is wall thickness (with tolerance)

Here's the yellow stuff too

http://www.elephantpipe.com/product_tel_yellow.html

Hi Guys,

I am trying to work out some details on my house and haven't been able to find a Thai manufacturer/supplier of architectural moldings and reveals along the lines of Fry Reglet in the States. I am looking for some basic aluminum 'F' 'T' and 'J' reveals. So far I have just come across Apace but all of their stuff appears to be plastic.

Thanks!

Canopy...I was pretty impressed by the selection of hand tools at True Value (near Khae Rai on Tiwanon). I went in with lowered expectations of course and I haven't looked too closely at their power tool selection.

Spoonman...have you tried ¤Åѧ¹ê͵ ¹ê͵ Ê¡ÃÙ áËǹÃÕàÇ· »Ôê¹ ¤ÅÔ» Ê¡Ãà¡ÅÕÂÇ»ÅèÍÂ,Ùà¡ÅÕÂÇÁÔÅ, à¡ÅÕÂÇËع,à¡ÅÕÂǪԾºÍÃì´,à¡ÅÕÂÇÊÙ§-µèÓ,à¡ÅÕÂÇÊÒÁàËÅÕèÂÁ,Ê¡ÃÙ¼èÒ»ÅÒÂ,ʵѴ, ¹ê͵,áËǹ,ÃÕàÇ·,ËÁØ´ÂéÓ,ÊÅÑ¡? They show an impressive array of fasteners on their website but I am not sure they stock most of them. If you go to their office its just desks and phones but they were pretty helpful (I was looking for flange based weldnuts). They have a couple warehouses in that neighborhood but their main factory is outside of bangkok. I think the owner speaks some english, but I was there with my translator, err wife.

Belated scan of previously mentioned meager brochure...

So, the question is - does anyone know of a Thai manufacturer of solar light tubes to fit into the roof and thru the roof space? any lead would be appreciated by both of us.

Wintek has a booth at the Architects Show at Impact displaying their "Sun Tunnel Skylight". Didn't have a chance to ask about pricing, etc, but remembered there was a thread asking about these things. Show ends tonight I think and unfortunately there is nothing about the product on their website (Wintek.co.th). I can scan their meager brochure if you are at all interested.

What are the other companies that you are considering?

... send them for galvanizing.

Do you have a galvanizer that you recommend?

I am planning on using several "Windworkers" to ventilate the high ceilings in our house (hope to start construction in a couple months). The design acts like a windsock to keep the device pointed in the right direction and even a slight breeze provides a positive draw.

The Windworker website is a little rough around the edges but the Australian architect Glenn Murcutt has used them before and that is a pretty solid endorsement. I have a sample and plan on rigging it up to our job site storage container to do a little testing.

Here's a photo from their website...I'll try to take some pictures of the sample I have and post it up if anyone is interested.

Perfect!

Thank you GarryP

Hey guys...Could someone give a little more specific directions on where these Rangsit shops are? I am familiar with the area and will be up there tomorrow. But since I'll be driving (without my co-pilot) I was hoping for a better idea on where to look. Rough directions from the train station would be helpful or approximate location on a google maps aerial would be ideal.

There was mention of a website above but no link was given?

Thanks in advance,

David

Thanks for that inverter brochure. The hard part is going to be finding someone competent enough to install it right?

As was mentioned above I think the biggest problem with a generator is the noise. I just finally got around to setting up mine up this week. It'll be great to have a temporary/portable solution but the neighbors would not be happy if I had to fire this thing up everyday...It ain't quiet.

I brought in a generator from the states so I could power my tools until I get a long term solution ironed out. Bonus is that my 110/220-60hz is portable.

Find a used one on ebay or craigslist, get a friend to check it out and deliver it to Rama (in LA or NYC), they'll crate it and ship it for relatively cheap. The trick is to find a generator that is close to a major port, I happened to be in Detroit when I got mine and the truck ride from detroit to new jersey (650 miles) cost the same amount as the boat ride from new jersey to bangkok!

Thanks for the link. Unfortunately I couldn't find what I wanted...all of the JIS references to ferrous material just talks about the metallurgy and not dimensional standards...

This is the best thing that I could find http://www.lertsiamsteel.co.th/frame.asp?menu=pd&id=3 They refer to stainless steel, but for now I think I can assume steel and aluminum equivalency.

In the states I was so used to relying on my tattered copy of the Ryerson Stocklist (or its shiny online equivalent - http://www.ryerson.com/stocklist/Stocklist...Home&REF=1)

I couldn't figure out whether to put this in the DIY housing section or in the business section (which lists manufacturing)...if a wise moderator could send me in a better direction I would be appreciative.

Hi Guys,

I am wondering if anyone knows where I can find a list of the standard thicknesses of steel and aluminum sheetmetal and plate that are used in Thailand.

I met with a laser cutter last week, he mentioned that Thailand uses "JIS standard" thicknesses, I figured I could just googlize it. But I haven't been able to turn up anything that seems reliable. I emailed the fabricator but haven't heard back. I keep getting deeper and deeper in my drawings using assumed thicknesses and am running out of time.

Any resources would be appreciated!

Thanks,

David