Fireplace Builder Gets Paid

denick

For at least the twenty times in 30 years I have heard from a mason, or a friend of a mason, or the friend of a friend of a mason the sure fire way "that" mason has invented to get paid when building a chimney. Do you have a sure fire way or have you heard the secret?

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Nick

"Every day I remind myself that my inner and outer life are based on the labors of other men, living and dead, and that I must exert myself in order to give in the same measure as I have received and am still receiving" Albert Einstein

Tom R

If I remember right, - - he blocks off the top, - - plywood insert, maybe?? . . .

tkle

glass

That guy must have a home here in California too.Kinda like a bad turd,all over the place.

Tom R

Damn, - - think ya got me on that one . . .

jmic

Ya thats the secret a pc of glass between the flues, then after getting paid drops something down to break the glass

__________________
___"Remember You Never Get A Second Chance To Make A First Impression"______________________
Joe

Mike Finley

LOL, that's a good one, I haven't heard that in years. Think there is any truth to it or is it just one of those good ole stories?

6stringmason

Glass is the answer lol. All the masons know that one.

More likely an urban myth, but you never know lol. How would he know hes not going to get paid before the work is done anyway?

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Kamps Masonry & Concrete Countertop Design Green Bay, WI
920-680-3195
Visit our website @
http://www.concretecountertopsdesign.com/

tkle

Who would pay for a fireplace that smoked?

jmic

It's called insurance, especially if you haven't worked for them before, and you're starting to get that uncomfortable feeling in your gut

__________________
___"Remember You Never Get A Second Chance To Make A First Impression"______________________
Joe

6stringmason

So you start out with distrust in mind? Thats really not a good way to start a business relationship. Especially if the HO or builder finds out. I know I would be pissed.

__________________
Kamps Masonry & Concrete Countertop Design Green Bay, WI
920-680-3195
Visit our website @
http://www.concretecountertopsdesign.com/

denick

The basic story as it has been told to me many times is,
This mason builds his chimneys and half way up he puts a piece of glass across the top of a flue and continues on up. He submits his bill when the top is finished. When he gets paid he removes the glass (many explanations on how he does this) If he doesn't get paid he waits until they use the fireplace. Then he gets an angry call about the smoking chimney. His reply is "I'll be right over write me a check for what you owe me and the chimney will work". He gets his check, puts up a ladder takes a brick up on the roof and drops it down the flue. It works every-time.

Every mason, builder or nice person who has told me this story has told it with conviction on how clever this is.

Interesting to see this is an accepted masonry practice known across the country. I never would have guessed.

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Nick

"Every day I remind myself that my inner and outer life are based on the labors of other men, living and dead, and that I must exert myself in order to give in the same measure as I have received and am still receiving" Albert Einstein

tkle

I wouldn't pay either.First I have a smoky fireplace,then I have a smokeshelf full of broken glass plus a brick.Still leaving me with a less than ideal flue lining.All this 'cause he didn't trust me?Urban myth,I hope.

stacker

the only flaw i see in your story denick is,wouldnt the heat generated from the fire burst the glass?

__________________
life is short,do your masonry naked!!
http://ok.local.yahoo.biz/knabemasonry/index.html

N.E.Bldg&Rest.LLC

NO, Just use pyrex

__________________
"Man is a tool-using animal. Without tools he is nothing, with tools he is all."

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Mike Finley

So you guys are saying you actually know somebody who does this?

Come on now, I always thought it was a good story, but never thought anybody would actually do it.

denick

One of the small durable fables of the American masonry legacy?

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Nick

"Every day I remind myself that my inner and outer life are based on the labors of other men, living and dead, and that I must exert myself in order to give in the same measure as I have received and am still receiving" Albert Einstein

personalt

Urban legend.. At www . snopes.com
search mason and you will find the story.. I would post the URL but I am too new here.

JIM CARROLL

how would you keep from breaking the glass if a piece of brick fell down the flue.

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JIM CARROLL
INLET PRESSURE CLEANING
MYRTLE BEACH SC

Peladu

Then what happens after the customer places a stop payment on the check? Install a new piece of glass. Glass? My ass!

bobcacaygeonjon

Hi there. this is my first ever post and I would like to confirm that this is not an urban myth and is in fact much practiced in the UK. ( not by me of course ). The idea being that if you are paid promptly the you can clear up the glass and brick long before the fire ever gets used. If you dont get paid then screw em!