A Steel Detailer Speaks

Today we start out with a little chat about the way that our generational media tastes have influenced us. We touch on Seinfeld (who had a thing or two to say about construction) and radio-recorded cassettes of Frogstomp. Tyler shares what song smashes him emotionally when it interrupts his Hank.   In our 149 episodes, we’ve talked to specialists from just about every step in the commercial construction process. One specialty we haven’t addressed yet is steel detailing.    “Wait,” you say, “Isn’t Eddie a steel detailer.” Well, as a matter of fact he is. How convenient. (If you’re not familiar with Eddie’s company, check it out.)   When someone asks a steel detailer what they do for a living, the answer can be a tricky one. To a layperson–and even to some construction-industry people–the work of a steel detailer sounds like the work of an architect or engineer.    When did the term BIM come into use? Make your guess before listening for the answer.    Eddie shares about his entry into this line of work and learning that steel detailers are not supposed to make the smallest step in a direction other than what they’ve been told to do. An entire project can be brought to a standstill if a single detailer is working on an RFI.    We discuss the actual job description that guides steel detailers: They take the drawings from the structural engineers and turn it into a highly specific deliverable that tells the boot-wearing. They count out the shear plates, the nuts, the bolts. They build a detailed model of the steel structure that is used by an erector team.   This work is incredibly important. A single, tiny error by a detailer on a $20,000 beam can have a terrible financial domino effect. Yes, software does a great deal of the math, but even the best detailing software is useless unless it’s in the hands of a skilled detailer.    Detailers need to work in a hurry. Surprisingly a set of Lego instructions are likely more detailed than some of the shop drawings being produced today despite the amazing computing power we have at our fingertips. Unfortunately, as we discussed in last week’s episode, communication is often lacking. An average 40-ton job (a 10,000 square foot structure) has the potential for about 45,000 errors in the steel assembly alone.    Eddie mentions these industry organizations:  SEI: Steel Engineering InstituteAISC: American Institute of Steel Construction   Aspiring steel detailers need to learn several things: SoftwareAn industryCustomer relationsPatience: You’ll deal with big-time information fatigue. Adaptability: The industry is always evolving. Problem solvingWriting: If you don’t write an RFI thoughtfully, you won’t get the information you need.   Eddie shares about the anxiety that can come with detailing work. (See this related Five-minute Friday episode.) The pressure is substantial because small errors can create huge, expensive problems. This means that you’re double-checking...

Om Podcasten

Eddie and Tyler Campbell are 6th generation builders who currently own a virtual building and modeling company called ABSI. Each week, Eddie and Tyler will explore ideas both directly and indirectly related to the construction industry. Thanks for listening to the Construction Brothers podcast! Find us wherever you listen!