What's your definition of "PISSED OFF"?!?!?!

L

localboy

New member
So I needed to raise our Garmin 18HD so it could shoot over the dinghy; about 10" but I go 12". No sense having a radar w/a big blind spot, especially off the bow. :roll:

So I weigh my options: new, taller arch or just a pedestal. No brainer. I order a custom pedestal from Tanner Manufacturing in Bellingham. Less money and way less hastle. I am very specific on the order; top plate drilled to fit a Garmin. "No problem" says Tanner. I leave the bottom plate as I want to drill it to fit. Tanner recommends matching the rear angle of the arch for looks. Cool. Do it.

It finally comes and I go about the install today. Imagine my, uh, consternation when after getting everthing done the mounting pattern drilled for the Garmin itself is not even close! :evil: :evil: :evil: :x :thdown Now mind you, this thing was NOT inexspensive to have made. I just shot an e-mail to Tanner. We'll see what they say. Time is of the essence though as we have a trip to Desolation early next month and Bellingham ain't just down the street from me.

Pics in my album. :roll:
 
Right, or make a temporary plate adapter, no - make it two - one to share with the fabricator so thy can use it to re-do the pedestal!

I feel your pain! :cry
 
Make a temporary adaptor of HD polyethelene (cutting board) or plywood.
Cheap and easy--takes only a few minutes and you are ready to go.
 
Expecting something new and shiny and ready to fit that then isn't.... aggravating! I hope they step up and take care of it expeditiously.

I don't have radar yet, but since I may at some point can I ask a question? That is, I would have thought that radar would shoot through a dinghy...? I guess not, but I'm curious if there is something specific to yours, or just that no, it doesn't.
 
Unless there is substantial aluminum in the dinghy transom or hull, it is radar transparent. Some dinghies have an aluminum or other metal plate where the clamp for the outboard sits--and if that were at the level of the radar beam, it could be an issue. If it were all polypropylene, fabric or fiberglass, there would be minimal issues. Wet wood--slightly more. I have shot thru a fabric dinghy with little if any attenuation. Small metal tubes such as a anchor light support will not cause an issue. Sail boat masts are not a huge problem, depending on the size of the antenna.
 
can you just drill new holes yourself for this upcoming trip and then have them replace the top plate later?
Click to expand...

That S/S plate is extremely hard to drill through. I already used my patience, and bits, on the bottom four holes.

As to the temp plate, I could do it. But in order to get the cables through the pedestal I had to pull them all the way out, cut off the ethernet plug on the beginning, and then reverse it all. I am not doing that twice due to someone else's screw up.

I'm calling them right now....

I would have thought that radar would shoot through a dinghy...
Click to expand...

It didn't. I tried the load the boat up side down, right side up, bow towards the radar...no difference; a big blind spot off the bow. I suspect the alum plate on the dinghy's stern is the culprit. I had no choice but to raise the dome higher. It worked fine...as long as we weren't carrying the dinghy. :| We purchased the boat w/ the short arch already installed.
 
Agree with Local Boy that drilling SS can be difficult. Many of the shops actually punch out the holes with a hydrauilic press, rather than drill them out. There is always potential error when having to splice or replace an ethernet plug--many of these reverse the pins at one end--not sure about the Garmin.
 
Just got off the phone w/ Tanner. Their "solution"? Quote: "I spoke to blah, blah....if you just get a die-grinder and oblong the holes, it will work fine...."

Uh, not just no but HELL NO! No apology even.

I told her that answer was totally unsatisfactory. She seemed stumped. I told her for the amount of money this thing cost me, it should be perfect or damn near it. :roll: I'm sure as hell not going to burn through more time and tools fixing their f*#k up!

Now I'm waiting for "the boss" to call me back.

To say I am not impressed w/ Tanner's customer service would be an understatement. :evil:
 
When you placed the initial order, did you tell them the actual dimensions of your bolt pattern? Or did you leave it up to them to find the standard for the 18HD?

I wonder if your bolt pattern could be slightly different than what they went off of? Maybe it's not consistent from Garmin manufacturing run to manufacturing run. Maybe the plastic expands / contracts over time?

Main reason I'm asking is that I have the same Tanner arch, the same Garmin 18HD and just bought a dinghy. I didn't even think about the chance of having a radar blind spot when putting the dinghy on the roof. I may have to do something similar if I have a problem.

Good luck with getting it resolved.
 
I sent them the pattern via e-mail; the Garmin pattern that came w/ the unit and is on-line too. Mark, the owner/manager assured me they would have no problem as they do them "constantly". So, no excuse as to why it was wrong.

As to drilling S/S here's what I have been told & how I do it;
1. good center punch
2. start w/ a small 1/8" drill bit. A shorter bit is better, even if you have to cut it off
3. cutting oil (I used "3 in 1" since it's what I had)
4. low speed but high pressure (I use an air drill but not everyone has a compressor etc)
5. once the bit stops cutting get a new bit! This is key. Once the bit stops cutting heat will build up. You will be "hardening" the stainless even more. Trust me; do that and you'll be cussing in frustration.
6. once you have your 1/8" pilot hole, up-size to a larger bit and larger bit until you have your desired hole diameter.*

*Now I use a "step-bit" for this but yesterday I blew through it and it's now toast.
 
localboy":147cxp77 said:
I tried the load the boat up side down, right side up, bow towards the radar...no difference; a big blind spot off the bow. I suspect the alum plate on the dinghy's stern is the culprit.
Click to expand...

Thanks, that's good to know. Not sure what I'll end up with for a dinghy - and I don't even have radar yet - but it's a good piece of info to stash away.
 
Well, Mark called me back. This is the "solution" he and I agreed to. He is sending me a brand new chain saw file. He says this little file will allow me to oblong the holes enough, "....it will cut the S/S 'like butter'"...his words. According to him, it's what they use in the factory for this type of, uhm, "adjustment". Personally, I don't see what's so frikin hard about measuring correctly, especially when you HAVE A FACTORY PATTERN in front of you. I seemed to grasp it, and I'm an amateur.

We'll see. Do to time contraints, work and having to pull all the wires out AGAIN and then drive to Bellingham and back for them to "fix it"...this was the quickest solution. To say I am dissapointed in this is an understatement. Lesson learned.

He did apologize for the shoddy job, but had no reason/excuse why the pattern was so off. Too bad, as the rest of the pedestal was shiny and well made. If I had a TIG welder and other tools, I'd have made the damn thing myself. At least then, I'd know it would be correct!

:roll: :thdown :amgry :amgry :amgry :amgry :amgry
 
localboy,
Use 'splitpoint' bits and a cordless drill. Drill on low speed as slow as you can with very firm pressure. Use a quality cutting oil for stainless such as 'ultra lube' which you can get at Fastenal. Splitpoint bits are a must (not bullit bits). You have to ask for them from a place like Tacoma screw or Fastenal. You can also get them from industrial supply houses. They are not cheap. Also any air drill that I have ever used turns way to fast for drilling stainless.
Forrest
PS: I've literally drilled thousands of holes in stainless having worked in the beverage and food industry.
 
The saga continues. Tried the magical "file" and the holes are so far off it, would've taken me all day, if it was even possible to do. I have my doubts. So much for "cutting through S/S like butter".

Another two calls to Tanner, a trip to the local UPS store and the pedestal is back en-route to Bellingham. It should arrived there before 10:30 hours and per Mark, it will be a priority. He will fix it and get it back to me by week's end. He also told me he "lost his ass" on this custom job. Who knows. All I know is I paid a chunk of $$$ for something that did not work.

For good measure I sent along the original Garmin pattern, the same one that came w/ my unit and the same one that I sent them originally w/ the work order.

I showed Meredith their holes w/ pattern underneath and my holes w/ pattern (that I drilled to match the arch plate). Mine=perfect. Their's=uhm, not so much. And I did it w/ home-owner tools. :roll:
 
Hopefully you are back on track. I would not shed any tears for "He also told me he "lost his ass" on this custom job."

Knowing what custom fabricators charge, I doubt that he is going to starve. I realize that is not possible in this case, but often the good fabricators come to the boat (or have your boat brought to them) to get it perfect.
 
Tanner is (or used to be) one of the OEM suppliers for C-dory.

I had them make my radar arch a couple years ago and (Tanner) Mark did come out and take lots of measurements. The finished product was perfect, though I did have to enlarge one of the radar mounting holes slightly.

It surprises me that Localboy Mark is getting jerked around. Tanner Mark surely knows that he'll be raked over the coals for it in this forum.

jd
 
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