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This is an interactive Bulletin Board on the topics of Sign making, design, fabrication, History, old Books and of coarse Letterheads, Keepers of the craft. The Hand Lettering Forum features links to resources, sign art history, techniques, and artists profiles. Learn more about Letterheads at https://theletterheads.com. Below you'll see Mchat has been added as a live communication portal for trial, and the Main forum Links are listed below.

Search found 29 matches

by Ray Smith
Thu Dec 16, 2010 7:46 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Requesting insight on some vintage brushes.
Replies: 6
Views: 4458

Re: Requesting insight on some vintage brushes.

A couple of them look to be similar to the old Grumbacher round liners.I believe they came in lengths up to 2 1/2" long and were very difficult to use.I think I still have some around.Their biggest problem was if you got the correct paint consistency to pull a long line the brush would flop ove...
by Ray Smith
Mon Mar 01, 2010 10:33 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Pinstriping Charity Panel Jam Detroit 2010.........
Replies: 2
Views: 2545

Re: Pinstriping Charity Panel Jam Detroit 2010.........

To all those who participated in the Detroit Autorama Charity Panel Jam,the members of the Motor City Auto Art Mavens and Leader Dogs for the blind offer a resounding THANK YOU!!!! Through your efforts we managed to raised a tad over $40,000 over the 3 day show;all of which went to the charity.Excep...
by Ray Smith
Thu Feb 04, 2010 4:56 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Pinstriping Charity Panel Jam Detroit 2010.........
Replies: 2
Views: 2545

Re: Pinstriping Charity Panel Jam Detroit 2010.........

Just an update on the panel jam:the 125 slots are filled as of last week.To those of you who are registered;thank you and we are looking forward to having a great time and raising some serious money for a worthwhile cause. For informational purposes;the jam is being held on February 26th to 28th in ...
by Ray Smith
Thu Dec 03, 2009 2:51 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Pinstriping Charity Panel Jam Detroit 2010.........
Replies: 2
Views: 2545

Pinstriping Charity Panel Jam Detroit 2010.........

For those that may be interested in participating in a pinstriping panel jam at Cobo Hall in Detroit held in conjunction with the Detroit Autorama,you can register on-line for the event. This is being held from February 26-28 2010 and we are looking to get about 125 stripers,sign artists,and airbrus...
by Ray Smith
Sat Nov 07, 2009 1:21 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Gold pinstriping paint?
Replies: 12
Views: 9500

Re: Gold pinstriping paint?

I don't normally like to use any metallic paint for striping but when I do the 1-Shot Metallic Brass seems to be the best of the lot.It seems to replicate actual gold the best in color anyway.The biggest problem I find is not being able to pull a very long line without reloading the brush.Usually tw...
by Ray Smith
Tue Jun 23, 2009 1:21 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Frog Juice over Gold
Replies: 16
Views: 12317

Re: Frog Juice over Gold

I don't do a whole lot of gilding but when I do I use a commercial grade spar varnish.As Pierre noted,it does darken the gold a bit and I find that it takes several days to properly set up but once set is very durable. The 1-Shot UV clear as I understand it was not designed to use over paint but rat...
by Ray Smith
Thu May 14, 2009 9:38 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Some great lettering on an old coffee can
Replies: 0
Views: 2495

Some great lettering on an old coffee can

Picked this up at a yard sale today for $5.Not in the greatest of shape but it will be put to work.A 5 lb.coffee can with an oval cap.Looks like it might have been red originally;now a dark brown with what looks like gold leaf letters.
by Ray Smith
Fri Apr 24, 2009 10:05 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: A book worth mentioning - Gold Leaf Techniques
Replies: 15
Views: 10458

Re: A book worth mentioning - Gold Leaf Techniques

Where can I buy a mahl stick. I have never tried many of these things mentioned but they sound so much easier then the way I have been doing it. I made a great mahl stick out of a WWII era rifle cleaning kit that I found in as new condition at an antique store for $5.It is made of aluminum and alth...
by Ray Smith
Sat Apr 18, 2009 8:23 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: I need everyones help on this one - Please read and respond!
Replies: 17
Views: 9722

Re: I need everyones help on this one - Please read and respond!

Just a few things I've experienced while using 1-Shot on glass: I found a product called,"No Touch Glass Stripper"which is used primarily to remove silicone based products(Rain-X to be specific)from glass.The company(No Touch Products)has a website but it is pretty much available through m...
by Ray Smith
Thu Mar 05, 2009 9:42 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Keith Knecht
Replies: 2
Views: 2004

Re: Keith Knecht

Will be attending the Autorama on Saturday to see Keith.I have spoken with him several times in the past few weeks.The good news is:He's finally quit smoking!Of course I'm going to have to see this to believe it.Always a good time when we get together;a great guy and fantastic artist.
by Ray Smith
Wed Feb 11, 2009 12:07 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: One of my old sign kits
Replies: 9
Views: 7082

Re: One of my old sign kits

Last two.
by Ray Smith
Wed Feb 11, 2009 12:06 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: One of my old sign kits
Replies: 9
Views: 7082

Re: One of my old sign kits

More pictures.
by Ray Smith
Wed Feb 11, 2009 12:04 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: One of my old sign kits
Replies: 9
Views: 7082

Re: One of my old sign kits

Thanks to all who commented.Here are some pictures of another old kit I acquired a couple years ago.This kit belonged to a man named Carl J.Stoiber who started his career as a striper for the Willys-Overland Co. of Toledo Ohio.I have a picture of him and his family at work there taken around 1920. S...
by Ray Smith
Mon Feb 09, 2009 2:52 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: One of my old sign kits
Replies: 9
Views: 7082

Re: One of my old sign kits

The glass cup may have been used for size. Dad used to cook his size in a larger pot and then used a small cup for gilding which he refilled as he went. The Vasaleline may have been used to charge the gilder's tip and the brushes were oiled with lard oil. The lard oil attracts bronze and laminum po...
by Ray Smith
Sat Feb 07, 2009 1:47 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: One of my old sign kits
Replies: 9
Views: 7082

Re: One of my old sign kits

Were there a lot of extra brushes in the kit, seems like a lot? I love old things, and I agree about all the stories that are likely tied up in that one box. What a treasure. Thanks for sharing the pics. :) Kelly: There were two different types of lettering brushes;the brown handled and the black h...
by Ray Smith
Sat Feb 07, 2009 1:12 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: One of my old sign kits
Replies: 9
Views: 7082

One of my old sign kits

Now that I can post pictures here I thought I would put up a couple of pictures of an old sign kit I acquired several months ago.Made by the George E.Watson co. of Chicago it came to me as shown.Most of the brushes in it also have the Watson label imprinted on them.The mahl stick is in excellent sha...
by Ray Smith
Wed Feb 04, 2009 3:37 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Old Grumbacher handle-less quills
Replies: 10
Views: 6752

Re: Old Grumbacher handle-less quills

I looked around here for a few of the old brush handles, but I have a feeling they went with the Steven Parrish kits to the American Sign Museum. It might be nice if someone can take a photo of a few handles and post them here. They are not fancy at all. Here is a not so good photo of some old hand...
by Ray Smith
Wed Feb 04, 2009 2:07 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Old Grumbacher handle-less quills
Replies: 10
Views: 6752

Re: Old Grumbacher handle-less quills

You could also take some dowel stock and cut it to the appropriate length and sand the taper on a disc sander(bench mount) using a fine grit disc.With a little practice,you can get some pretty fine control.I have a small unit that uses a 1"x30" belt combined with a 6" disc purchased a...
by Ray Smith
Tue Dec 16, 2008 6:09 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Info wanted on Frost&Adams Co.
Replies: 3
Views: 2525

Info wanted on Frost&Adams Co.

Just bought a vintage artist's paint box on e-Bay and am trying to find out some info on the company.A friend found a site with one of their catalogs dated 1905 but there doesn't seem to be much info about it.Apparently the company was formed around 1843 and incorporated in 1895. I have trouble post...
by Ray Smith
Sun Aug 17, 2008 10:11 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Show Card Brushes
Replies: 8
Views: 5687

Don't know if this will apply to sable brushes,but there is a bit on the Mack Brush site for re-shaping dagger brushes.Essentially they recommend wetting them lightly and putting a couple of drops of liquid dish detergent in the hair and then forming it to shape while allowing it to dry.Then letting...
by Ray Smith
Tue Jul 22, 2008 12:49 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Times, are they a changin'?
Replies: 14
Views: 8261

Although I don't do a whole lot of lettering,the jobs I do take on are ones that pretty much give me total control over the final product.These mostly include small signs for show car displays and an occasional truck or fire engine. I would agree that the times are definitely a-changin'. Seems like ...
by Ray Smith
Mon Jul 21, 2008 10:55 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Does anyone know of........
Replies: 0
Views: 2446

Does anyone know of........

A pinstriper/sign artist by the name of Les Kircher who was from around the Chicago area in the 1970's and then possibly moved to Lompoc California? If he is still alive he would probably be close to 90 years old. Would appreciate hearing from anyone who knew him or of him or a relative. Reason is t...
by Ray Smith
Sat Jul 12, 2008 10:47 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Looking for information on...........
Replies: 5
Views: 3531

Many thanks for the prompt response Mike! I hope you don't mind but I posted the picture in a photo album on the Yahoo group I host(the Pinstriper's Page).Thanks again!!!!
by Ray Smith
Fri Jul 11, 2008 1:02 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Looking for information on...........
Replies: 5
Views: 3531

Hello Mike: Thank you for the prompt reply.I am checking with a friend of mine in Chicago to see if he has any further info.He is a fellow sign artist and very much into sign related history. I guess this may have been the Deluxe version as it has two of the small metal cans;one holding japan drier ...
by Ray Smith
Fri Jul 11, 2008 1:35 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Looking for information on...........
Replies: 5
Views: 3531

Looking for information on...........

....the George E.Watson Co. of Chicago Illinois.Have recently acquired a sign artist's kit manufactured by this company and have been unable to find out any information. The tag on the box says,"Watson's Sign Kit" George E.Watson Company-the,"Paint People" Chicago Ill. Dimensions...
by Ray Smith
Mon Sep 03, 2007 2:55 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Spreading the wings
Replies: 6
Views: 4360

And how the time does fly by.My,"baby" girl turned 40 in May.Our sons are 36 and 33.Unfortunately the youngest who showed real promise early on(he's ambidextrous to boot)elected not to stay with art.The other two enjoy art but that is where their interest ends. My youngest granddaughter(no...
by Ray Smith
Sat May 12, 2007 9:31 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Looking for info on...........
Replies: 5
Views: 3992

Thanks to all for the input. The gentleman I got the kit from was the grandson of Mr.Stoiber.We were talking last week and he brought me an old sepia print showing his grandfather along with his two brothers and his great-grandfather next to an early 20's automobile.It is unfortunately the only pict...
by Ray Smith
Tue Apr 10, 2007 12:41 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Looking for info on...........
Replies: 5
Views: 3992

Was hoping to find some info but I guess not. I did find that the man's name was Carl Stoiber(not Stolber)and he is listed in a 1937 Toledo business directory as a striper.No info on the paint or brushes as yet.
by Ray Smith
Fri Mar 23, 2007 10:07 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Looking for info on...........
Replies: 5
Views: 3992

Looking for info on...........

Several things actually: Information on a sign artist named C.J.Stolber who lived and worked in Toledo Ohio in the 1920's and 1930's. I recently acquired his old sign kit. Information on Devoe and Raynolds brushes. Information on RUBICO;a company that made or distributed brushes;gilder's tips in par...