For each of the 37" x 74" panels shown above, here's the actual cost comparison we experienced on this job using NO DAYS Glaze and our Professional Curing Station:
Estimated Cost to Putty each panel: Total cost: $ 175.00
Materials: $ 15 (putty, whiting, & miscellaneous)
Labor Costs: $160
8 hours @ $20/hr (includes taxes, workman comp insurance, overhead)
Energy Costs: $0.00 (just lots of sweaty work over a 3 day period)
Cost using NO DAYS Glaze: Total cost: $124.20
Materials: $ 84
20 - 6' lengths of came @ 6' each = 120' x 2 = 240 ft. of NO DAYS Glaze =
240' @ $0.35 /ft = $84 (based on 450' roll pricing 3/16" NDGlz)
Labor Costs: $ 40
1.5 hrs. to insert NDGlz into came's channels @$20/hr = $30, plus,
0.5 hrs. using Sierra Professional Curing Station @$20/hr = $10
Energy Costs: $0.20 (2 KiloWatt-Hours @ $0.10/KW-Hr = $0.20)
Net Savings for each of the 6 panels in this job: ~$ 51 each ($306 total project)
Above cost comparison does not factor in the difference in time used on the production table: Putty process would tie up table (2 windows on 4' x 16' table) for 3 days (9 days for total job of 6 panels) before panels could be stored vertically. NO DAYS Glaze required no additional time after the 1.2 hour for curing (setup of curing station and actual curing time). Windows needed no additional cleanup after the curing process.
Note: If the Sierra Professional Curing Station was not used, and instead a heat gun were used as shown in demo on the Streuter Technologies web site, our crew estimated an additional 2-4 hours for each panel would have been needed to cure each piece of came separately as it was being built. No actual costs are available since we didn't, and don't, build leaded panels this way.
Lastly, we found the NO DAYS Glaze to be as strong, if not stronger, right after the curing process than a puttied window that has fully hardened. And, because the crew absolutely hates the puttying step, they wanted to convert to the new NO DAYS Glaze process even if it didn't save money.
Operational note -- pattern shears for No Days Glaze: While there is currently no special pattern shears available with the correct cutout for the standard came heart PLUS the NO DAYS Glaze, we found that the exact pattern cut needed could be made by using a Toyo Lead Pattern Shears TWICE. That is, first cut is made (using normal cutting method) on right side of pattern line. The second cut is done on those pieces still showing the line (i.e. the left side of pattern line) -- by guiding the edge of pattern along pattern shears blade, you can manage to cut exactly another width, making total cutout twice the normal width removed for just lead came. This "double" cut is precisely the amount needed for cames with NO DAYS Glaze.
Prove it to yourself! Click link below and request free samples of NO DAYS Glaze and do what we did: make a small panel using the NO DAYS Glaze samples and curing in our home oven (preheated to ~200º then shut off when panel put in). Let it cure for 15 minutes then open oven door to cool. We think you'll be convinced!
Streuter Technologies Inc. Web Site
NO DAYS Glaze is a trademark of Streuter Technologies Inc.