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Post by exoticimports on Nov 2, 2020 5:26:17 GMT -8
Back in August my Cornell drawers exceeded maximum capacity. Typically I donate or sell unneeded specimens, but I had no time.
BioQuip offered free shipping on orders, so I broke down and ordered the Cornell Drawer Kit, despite having always tried to keep specimen count restricted to storage capacity.
What a nightmare.
A month after placing the order, and in dire need of the BioQuip kit, I'd received nothing. I sent an email. No response. A week later I called and was told "one more month"!!
Finally, two months after I placed the order the BioQuip drawer kit arrived...sort of.
After sanding, staining, and coating the drawer sides, time to get to work.
I went to Lowes for glass, and waited 20 minutes for a 90 year old employee to show up. He didn't know anything about glass, and less about how to calculate proper cutting to get the right size glass out of a sheet of glass. Besides which, they had such limited glass it was going to cost me over $60! So I left.
The local Ace hardware doesn't carry glass, so they sent me to one that's a 30 mile round trip. But I did it, and $23 and 1.5 hours later had accurately cut glass.
Finally, on to the build! I've build many of these drawers, and know all the little tricks, so I can wack them out pretty fast...if they are produced properly. With everything spread out across the kitchen floor (much to the wife's chagrin) I assembled the first drawer sides and glass.
DAMN! Upon placing the hardboard bottom, it was 1/4" (about 6.5mm) TOO SHORT! It's supposed to be 18.25" not 18.0" long!
Now, the correct step would be to put the corrective responsibility back on BioQuip. But after already waiting two months, and with drawer pieces all over the kitchen, on a Friday, I could not wait.
I looked online and the local Lowes reporting having nine 4x8 sheets of hardboard in stock, so the next day I did the 30 minute round trip to Lowes. Upon looking for the hardboard, there was none. The wood guy shrugged it off as typical. He did locate a pallet in inventory, so we looked at it; despite having the right label, it looked like it was mislabeled as the sheets looked too thick. But, to be safe, I waited the 40 minutes it took to get a forklift and bring it down. Yup, wrong size. Two hours wasted.
The Home Depot website reported 50 4x8 sheets in stock, so off to there, another 20 mile round trip. They did have it! The wood guy measures it three times to cut it to the 18.25" I need. THREE TIMES. He makes a first test cut. Watching him from about a meter behind, something's not right...I step forward and ask him to measure again. Uh huh. He cut it as 16.25".
After correcting the length, he starts cutting multiple lengths...which somehow are 18.5" not 18.25". So has to re-cut them.
Having brought an original hardboard BioQuip bottom, I line it up with the Home Depot bottoms, figuring they should be the same but 0.25" longer. WTF! Not one is plumb! I had him cut a half dozen more hoping that some would be close, which left me with about 4x4 which I brought home "just in case." Meanwhile, while he was working on my cuts, he stopped twice to do different jobs. Two hours wasted.
Finally, having arrived home, time to build drawers. And, I found NOT ONE of the Home Depot cut bottoms fit! Some too long, others so misaligned they overlapped on one side, and left a gap on the other. So that was a total waste of time and money.
Still facing a kitchen full of half-completed drawers (Day Three- it's now Sunday night), I broke down and used the faulty bottoms from BioQuip. I could just barely get them overlapping the drawer lip if I was careful. But I did it. So now I have six BioQuip Cornell drawers with 1/8" void all around the bottom panel.
Never again. What a nightmare. And now when I look at those drawers it's always going to annoy me that they aren't built right, and the time and money I wasted.
Chuck
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Post by gaspipe on Nov 2, 2020 5:48:08 GMT -8
Wow . First mistake : trusting anything ordered from BioQuip will be even close to being delivered on time. Second mistake ; believing any big box type store’s online inventory is accurate. Third mistake ; if you want quality supplies ,such as lumber or glass go to an actual lumber yard or glass shop.
Lessons I’ve learned over the years .
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Post by exoticimports on Nov 2, 2020 6:21:51 GMT -8
Yeah, I know.
I also know You Get What You Pay For. That said, I've never had a problem with BioQuip before.
What drives me nuts is the total incompetence demonstrated at BioQuip, Lowes and Home Depot. The complete lack of communication from BioQuip is very frustrating. And, the level of employees at Lowes and HD has degraded to a point of zero as of late.
When I admit we tried to save money by having granite counters installed by Lowes, well whatever you may say or think of me is correct. That has been a total nightmare- bait and switch, false advertising, incompetence, and breach of contract, beside horrible customer service. I just had to write the Lowes project manager and tell him he's Full of you-know-what, and that there is no way we'd ever have Lowes do another project for us.
Chuck
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Post by gaspipe on Nov 2, 2020 6:33:04 GMT -8
Yup and Iam not judging you . In my chosen profession I am a “ specialist “ ; now I’am not perfect by any means ; but I see the results of people getting things done by the “jack of all trades” type and it seems they always pay more in the end to get it done right.
As far as BioQuip they have a great product list ; when it’s in stock . I’ve learned if I think Iam going to need a new net in July I best order it in March!
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Post by bandrow on Nov 2, 2020 6:34:31 GMT -8
Hi Chuck,
Wow - a nightmare is right - maybe some kind of "Halloween" effect?
Most of the 400 drawers in my collection are the build-it-yourself type from BioQuip and I never had such problems - but I haven't purchased those for over 25 years now, so the quality must have really collapsed. The last set I bought cost about $60 for six - not sure what they run now. Back at that time, my source of glass was a local garage door company run by a friend of my grandfather's. When he replaced old doors that still had intact glass windows big enough for Cornell lids, he'd save the glass for me. In a lot of cases, I would only need to trim one edge to get a proper length/width. But the days of wooden garage doors with glass windows is long gone. I think most of my original collecting equipment was recycled from neighbors' trash - broom handles for net handles, window screens for rearing cages, etc.
Is it possible to fill those 1/8" gaps with some kind of putty or other filler to close and seal them? Maybe even a caulk of some sort? Not ideal, but might seal them from pests a bit better, and at least it's on the bottom. I think I'd hit up BioQuip for some kind of partial refund for the expense you had to incur to remedy their errors.
And as far as getting something measured and cut by a Home Depot employee - the few times I've had to stand and watch, I seriously wondered if I was about to witness an amputation...
Cheers!
Bandrow
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Post by exoticimports on Nov 2, 2020 6:48:17 GMT -8
Is it possible to fill those 1/8" gaps with some kind of putty or other filler to close and seal them? Maybe even a caulk of some sort? Not ideal, but might seal them from pests a bit better, and at least it's on the bottom. I think I'd hit up BioQuip for some kind of partial refund for the expense you had to incur to remedy their errors. Cheers! Bandrow Hmmm....well, there is a glue bead all around, hopefully with no voids. I wouldn't use putty, I'd be afraid it would decay. A caulk, maybe, though my experience with caulks and silicon are that they too degrade over time/ shrink, etc. It probably would be a good idea, just not certain what the best filler would be, since it's fairly substantial, probably 2mm deep and roughly 3mm all around. |
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Post by leptraps on Nov 2, 2020 7:30:17 GMT -8
I know I should not do this, however,Leptraps makes great drawers at a reasonable price. You can save a few bucks by purchasing them unfinished and finish them on your own. They come. With a single Label Holder with Pull. (I can pre-drill the Label holders). It is easier to ship them with out the label holder installed.Check out Leptraps Drawer's a at: www.leptraps.com. Cornell Drawer PHB-1: Single label holder with Pull. The inside is painted white.I will deliver any order of 20+ drawers "FREE" with in 250 miles of Aurora, Ohio. There are a number of you that do not like the owner of Leptraps LLC. Then you can call that other Company in California. Leptraps no longer sells "Kits". |
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Post by Paul K on Nov 2, 2020 8:57:33 GMT -8
Once I went to Home Depot to cut panels for my cabinets with exact measurements for 4x8 sheets of plywood.
Young guy started to cut the panel a cross and he was off by 3/4 of an inch, when I told him he must cut exactly the size. We grabbed another panel and this time he was off 1/2inch, he told me: that's the calculated error and there is no way to get closer to my request size.
The guy waisted two $80 oak panels and I left without further conversation nor panels for my cabinets.
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Post by exoticimports on Nov 2, 2020 9:12:08 GMT -8
Once I went to Home Depot to cut panels for my cabinets with exact measurements for 4x8 sheets of plywood. Young guy started to cut the panel a cross and he was off by 3/4 of an inch, when I told him he must cut exactly the size. We grabbed another panel and this time he was off 1/2inch, he told me: that's the calculated error and there is now way to get closer to my request size. The guy waisted two $80 oak panels and I left without further conversation nor panels for my cabinets. Yeah, this dingbat tried the same story on me. Problem is actually that he has no idea what he was doing. Saws are guided, and solid. I could have told him what he was doing wrong, but figured it would have been wasted energy. I wish they'd just get out of the way and let me do it. |
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Post by kevinkk on Nov 2, 2020 9:29:59 GMT -8
People in Hardware stores and big box are there for a reason. People who know what they are doing are in the trades making much more money and
working fewer hours.
Even cabinet shops aren't perfect, one time, when I still had a "normal" job, an "experienced" guy was showing me how to use a dado blade-
he cut off one finger.
I guess anxiety meds are multi-use. Thank you Dr. Thompson.
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Post by trehopr1 on Nov 2, 2020 21:51:19 GMT -8
It is a pity the Bioquip kits did not work out as planned. I would have thought that the quality would still be there for the do-it-yourself-er. I myself have never purchased drawers which I would have to assemble. I know that I am no handyman type and I do not possess the improvise, adapt, and overcome mentality for project type things. If the quality is there then I bite the bullet and pay for it !
Each year I purchase about 4 drawers from Bioquip and they are the ones with plastazote foam lined bottoms. They have ALWAYS arrived to me with very tight tolerances (all around) and have always been ideal for specimen storage. Most times I have to take a razor blade and carefully place it along the line of the lid and the bottom of the drawer and "wedgie" it slightly just to pop the lid and bottom apart !
Yes, without doubt I pay a premium for the privilege of owning finished drawers which are already lacquered, tight fitting, and with the densest foam available. I nearly always receive the drawers I order from them within 7-10 days of my phone call. I usually pay within 30 days of having received them and have never heard a complaint about doing so. Shipping for one drawer now runs about 10 bucks but, it is what it is. I'm certainly not wealthy because ordering only 4 drawers a year proves that but, I just have not found anything of equal or better honestly.
I suppose in short I just stick with what has worked for me all these years. I don't want drawers of differing dimensions which are offered by others and still others won't just sell you 1 or 2 at a time; they want you to buy 20. I don't know about you fellas but, who in the hell has that kind of cash to toss around at once --- much less the specimens to fill them ?
Anyway, no problem here with Bioquips finished drawers. Perhaps though, like so many other company's they may now "outsource" their drawer kits elsewhere (even overseas) to save on American labor costs.
Though, you have gone thru extensive trouble to see your drawers utilized I would still give a call to Bioquip and speak with someone about your dilemma with the bottoms and I'm certain they would be happy to send along replacement bottoms at no cost.
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Post by wollastoni on Nov 3, 2020 2:18:22 GMT -8
Bioquip has a strange management:
-They stopped advertising on InsectNet 2 years ago, private collectors were not so strategic for them who prefer to work with Museums, Universities and so on.
-Then 3 months ago, I saw their posts on social networks saying they are severely hit by the closure of these Museums and Universities and praying for private collectors to order in their shop.
With 31,600 visitors last year on InsectNet (42% from the US), no wonder they have less orders from private collectors.
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Post by exoticimports on Nov 3, 2020 5:00:48 GMT -8
Bioquip has a strange management: -They stopped advertising on InsectNet 2 years ago, private collectors were not so strategic for them who prefer to work with Museums, Universities and so on. -Then 3 months ago, I saw their posts on social networks saying they are severely hit by the closure of these Museums and Universities and praying for private collectors to order in their shop. With 31,600 visitors last year on InsectNet (42% from the US), no wonder they have less orders from private collectors. Well, universities were a cash cow until last year. At least in the NorthEast, even before COVID, enrollments were down about 30%, with one community college down 70%. Then, of course, COVID, so revenue from housing/apartments is way down on top of enrollments. So universities are really struggling for cash. While one cannot anticipate catastrophic events such as COVID, it's best to diversify in preparation, because there's always "something." I would argue that praying for sales is a poor strategy. According to BioQuip, the "free shipping" campaign crushed them with orders. This, of course, is temporary. And apparently caused significant customer service and quality control problems. So perhaps BioQuip will come back- wollastoni have you reached out to BioQuip? |
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Post by wollastoni on Nov 3, 2020 6:32:35 GMT -8
Not recently. If you chat with them, tell them you're missing their banners on InsectNet.  |
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Post by kevinkk on Nov 3, 2020 8:33:07 GMT -8
Each year I purchase about 4 drawers from Bioquip and they are the ones with plastazote foam lined bottoms. They have ALWAYS arrived to me with very tight tolerances (all around) and have always been ideal for specimen storage. Most times I have to take a razor blade and carefully place it along the line of the lid and the bottom of the drawer and "wedgie" it slightly just to pop the lid and bottom apart ! I use the 12x18 cases, I still needed a cabinet(s) and built my own. Never had a pest in those tight fitting cases, the only issue is making sure I don't spin the lid around- or mix up lids and cases. It's one lid and only one lid to a case. I've a couple of the larger cases, and it just gets to be a matter of space how a person stores the specimens, I suppose I could dedicate a spare room, but I like being surrounded by my stuff. It's comforting. |
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Post by exoticimports on Nov 5, 2020 13:05:00 GMT -8
the only issue is making sure I don't spin the lid around- or mix up lids and cases. On some of mine that have no figure in the wood I've made a small pencil mark (witness mark it's called) crossing the top & bottom pieces. That way if I ever get confused I know to line up the marks. Chuck |
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Post by kevinkk on Nov 5, 2020 16:59:08 GMT -8
the only issue is making sure I don't spin the lid around- or mix up lids and cases. On some of mine that have no figure in the wood I've made a small pencil mark (witness mark it's called) crossing the top & bottom pieces. That way if I ever get confused I know to line up the marks. Chuck Or what I usually do- one case at a time, with the lid carefully set to the side. A mark is a positive though. The only time I get more than one open at a time is rearranging specimens. |
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Post by bandrow on Nov 5, 2020 19:35:27 GMT -8
Greetings,
Kevinkk - a real easy way to coordinate your drawers/lids is to number them. Open the lid and write the drawer number on the upper edge of the drawer bottom and on the corresponding lower edge of the lid. This matches lid to drawer, and also identifies front and back. It also keeps the marks from being visible when the drawer is closed. You can use almost any fine permanent marker or pen, or even dark pencil, as you'll be writing on unfinished wood in most cases.
Cheers!
Bandrow
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Post by kevinkk on Nov 5, 2020 23:55:55 GMT -8
Greetings, Kevinkk - a real easy way to coordinate your drawers/lids is to number them. Open the lid and write the drawer number on the upper edge of the drawer bottom and on the corresponding lower edge of the lid. This matches lid to drawer, and also identifies front and back. It also keeps the marks from being visible when the drawer is closed. You can use almost any fine permanent marker or pen, or even dark pencil, as you'll be writing on unfinished wood in most cases. Cheers! Bandrow Thanks Bandrow, marking the inside is a good idea, everytime time I've labeled the outside of something, I end up changing the contents later on. I use unfinished cases as it is, it's less expensive. I know how to use stain, and laquear..did I spell that rite? Anyway, I haven't seen an advantage as of yet to staining the wood. |
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Post by exoticimports on Nov 6, 2020 3:49:55 GMT -8
I stained this latest batch a dark color, and installed black pinning foam. Inspired by dark backgrounds posted by Chris and others I want to see how specimens stand out. Hopefully I will know later today.
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Post by Paul K on Nov 6, 2020 5:25:05 GMT -8
I stained this latest batch a dark color, and installed black pinning foam. Inspired by dark backgrounds posted by Chris and others I want to see how specimens stand out. Hopefully I will know later today. Chuck Please post some photos of your new drawers. |
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Post by bandrow on Nov 6, 2020 6:20:09 GMT -8
Greetings, Kevinkk - Only because you asked, it's spelled "lacquer" - and "rite" would be "right"  And full disclosure - I had to look up lacquer!! And to be fair, I tend to mix up the terms "site" and "sight". You're right about the hidden numbering not needing changed. The "drawer number" in this case has no connection to what is in that drawer. We have lots of old drawers in the Carnegie where they took small metal number punches and indented matching numbers on the outside of the drawer and corresponding lid along the sides. Seems a really complicated way of doing it, considering the numbers go well into four-digits. Exoticimports - I too would love to see the dark bottoms - I can imagine those being striking, especially with leps like Pieridae. Not sure how dark specimens would fare - I wouldn't think Tenebrionidae would be a good candidate!  And finally - I had to look up "fare" versus "fair"... ain't English just the bomb!? Cheers! Bandrow |
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Post by exoticimports on Nov 6, 2020 6:21:13 GMT -8
Tiger swallowtails in dark stained drawer with black pinning bottom. With glass, they become very hard to see. I'm disappointed.  |
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Post by Paul K on Nov 6, 2020 6:54:23 GMT -8
And finally - I had to look up "fare" versus "fair"... ain't English just the bomb!? Cheers! Bandrow And I always complain on my english skills being it my second language. You guys made me feel better |
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Post by Paul K on Nov 6, 2020 7:05:38 GMT -8
Chuck, I hate to do that but Im 100% agree with you on this.
I think the problem is with the pining bottom material, it looks similar to those insulating tubes for pipes and i could see the waves when you tried to flat it on to the bottom. also its not black but light charcoal.
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And full disclosure - I had to look up lacquer!! And to be fair, I tend to mix up the terms "site" and "sight".