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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 477 matches

by Patrick Mackle
Wed Oct 13, 2010 11:35 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Break Time
Replies: 2
Views: 1829

Re: Break Time

That was different... very visual. Tried to think why it seemed sort of familiar in a way. Something long ago.
Then the thought occurred- It's kind of like a Frank Frazetta painting come to life.
Pat
by Patrick Mackle
Tue Oct 12, 2010 11:13 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Just in Case You Missed the News....
Replies: 4
Views: 3045

Re: Just in Case You Missed the News....

Man, dig that crazy roll bar!
Hey, for Halloween they could fashion a big hand with torn and bloody tendons attached to the handle and flappin' in the wind. Haahwoooo!!
Pat
by Patrick Mackle
Fri Oct 08, 2010 11:33 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Blasting defferent types of substrates
Replies: 5
Views: 3134

Re: Blasting defferent types of substrates

I agree with Ron. Not a good idea. (one day you may have a carved tempered glass panel blow up in front of you from rogue debris) I tried it early on in my business. I figured since I could blast glass, why not other materials. I got my first lesson while blasting glass. I had the clever idea that I...
by Patrick Mackle
Thu Oct 07, 2010 11:39 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Today in History...
Replies: 6
Views: 4533

Re: Today in History...

It is truly strange, that a man who spent his life in the sign business, creating profusely ornate signs which radiated brilliant reflections designed to beckon far away eyes, should be laid to rest in a fashion that leaves one desperately searching for the slightest hint of his local.
Pat
by Patrick Mackle
Tue Oct 05, 2010 11:31 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Hand Painted Sign Collection
Replies: 5
Views: 3296

Re: Hand Painted Sign Collection

Hi Prank,
You mentioned taking pictures "downtown". What area are you close to? I don't see your location in your profile.
Pat
by Patrick Mackle
Mon Oct 04, 2010 7:50 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Hand Painted Sign Collection
Replies: 5
Views: 3296

Re: Hand Painted Sign Collection

Haha, I see you look deep into the treasures that can be magnified on shorpy, as I took the exact same crop shot of the "STAG" rates signs, recognized it immediately! I have "walked" (actually moused) many of those long ago streets till the wee morning hours finding great sign tr...
by Patrick Mackle
Mon Oct 04, 2010 1:14 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Buying a tow behind compressor
Replies: 2
Views: 1685

Re: Buying a tow behind compressor

Rod, I've rented quite a few. I like the ones that use a Ford 302, half the cylinders are the air compressor, driven by the other four. I've also rented the four cylinder diesel ones as well. (keep them down wind unless you like exhaust coming into your air helmet) In the long run though, I find it ...
by Patrick Mackle
Mon Oct 04, 2010 11:12 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Has anyone tried this?
Replies: 9
Views: 4781

Re: Has anyone tried this?

Back when I was searching glass decorating patents in the patent library, I came across a fair amount of "petty" patents that proclaimed some "special new and useful method" dreamed up by rival glass decorators. One mentioned dipping large tree leaves into glue and placing them o...
by Patrick Mackle
Sun Oct 03, 2010 6:03 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Bruce Jackson's photo archive - 7 - Emporium, Central Tilba
Replies: 4
Views: 2934

Re: Bruce Jackson's photo archive - 7 - Emporium, Central Tilba

Its always a treat to see old gold work. thank you for sharing these pix. Interesting detail on the hanging bike. Besides it appearing to be hung with the fork and wheel 180degrees around, there appears to be no front axle between the spokes. There is no axle but there does seem to be a more substan...
by Patrick Mackle
Sun Oct 03, 2010 6:03 pm
Forum: Hand Lettering Gallery
Topic: Bruce Jackson's photo archive - 7 - Emporium, Central Tilba
Replies: 4
Views: 8991

Re: Bruce Jackson's photo archive - 7 - Emporium, Central Tilba

Its always a treat to see old gold work. thank you for sharing these pix. Interesting detail on the hanging bike. Besides it appearing to be hung with the fork and wheel 180degrees around, there appears to be no front axle between the spokes. There is no axle but there does seem to be a more substan...
by Patrick Mackle
Fri Oct 01, 2010 7:08 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Memorial
Replies: 4
Views: 3545

Re: Memorial

No laser can do that good a job that deep, and looking at the lighter gray color in the etching proves it. I'm thinking sand blasted on Black Absolute. Working on some myself, it's being sand blasted with text and half tone photos for a golf memorial wall. Blasting with 150grit Alum. Oxide, then whi...
by Patrick Mackle
Thu Sep 30, 2010 3:36 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Simple R&E test piece.
Replies: 10
Views: 6288

Re: Simple R&E test piece.

This just in!!
I've located Erik's new silvering line- nothing holding him back now!
Pat
www.youtube.com/watch?v=u03S1Nmslw4&feature=related
by Patrick Mackle
Thu Sep 30, 2010 10:48 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Simple R&E test piece.
Replies: 10
Views: 6288

Re: Simple R&E test piece.

Erik, Nice piece. Did you do it between Oktoberfest and Boise? Between the leap to one plane and another? Magical! Somehow, I don't think it would have the same WOW! if done in mica. Mica's nice, but does not exude the same brilliance and antiquity as glue chip, especially in larger areas of designs...
by Patrick Mackle
Tue Sep 28, 2010 10:41 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Original Dead Men
Replies: 686
Views: 2083745

Re: Original Dead Men...

That's exactly what we need 'round here, some hard hittin' avengin'!
Twill
by Patrick Mackle
Mon Sep 27, 2010 3:51 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Upside Down Mica Acid
Replies: 9
Views: 6217

Re: Upside Down Mica Acid

The only reasons I can see for the gum arabic step would be: *to allow for the use of a smaller quantity of mica flakes (less waste) as the mixture could be poured off and discarded. *it may have given a sharper image of the flakes in the glass, owing to the fact that they were held in place a few m...
by Patrick Mackle
Mon Sep 27, 2010 10:32 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Upside Down Mica Acid
Replies: 9
Views: 6217

Re: Upside Down Mica Acid

Inga, Upside down etching and mica etching are two different things leading to two different effects. Even if you used gum arabic to initially hold the mica to the glass, it would dissolve and release the mica in an upside down position. In antique glass signs, I have only seem upside down etching i...
by Patrick Mackle
Mon Sep 27, 2010 10:01 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: off topic- lasers
Replies: 5
Views: 3631

Re: off topic- lasers

Mike, I'm pleased you share my thought that such a message be shared on this site, as we all depend on our eye sight in our craft as well as daily life. It is important to teach those less experienced as well as younger ones that a laser in someone's hand should be treated much as a fire arm. You sh...
by Patrick Mackle
Fri Sep 24, 2010 1:47 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: off topic- lasers
Replies: 5
Views: 3631

Re: off topic- lasers

Build a rocket... you?? What, out of wood and beaver pelts?
Pat
by Patrick Mackle
Fri Sep 24, 2010 1:28 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: off topic- lasers
Replies: 5
Views: 3631

off topic- lasers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0oM66jfaJ4 I just watched this laser product on YouTube. I added a post that said I would only want the safety goggles because I already damaged one eye thanks to someone "having fun" in a garage with his laser. Now when I walk into a darkened room my eye fe...
by Patrick Mackle
Wed Sep 22, 2010 4:25 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Glass Sign Gregg Heger
Replies: 17
Views: 11457

Re: Glass Sign Gregg Heger

Dave,
Your profuse design talents absolutely floor me!! And then there's the perfection in execution- SPOT ON!
I'd give up my last "3 HOURS OF SLEEP" just to have a dusting of your imaginative talents.
In awww,
Pat
Say "HI" to all the gang for me.
by Patrick Mackle
Tue Sep 21, 2010 5:34 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Asphaltum Bummer!!
Replies: 10
Views: 6033

Re: Asphaltum Bummer!!

Hi Vance, As per question #one, I have never used the asphaltum/glue chip method. I generally chill the panel, then cut and peel away un-needed glue. As to the second, I do use it for acid etching in which I use mineral spirit, turpentine, and/or naptha depending on how I need it to behave. I am cur...
by Patrick Mackle
Sat Sep 18, 2010 7:27 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Original Dead Men
Replies: 686
Views: 2083745

Re: Original Dead Men...

You're just a builder from a basket.... A BUILDER FROM A BASKET!!
There's none of ME, in YOU!!
Tar Baby Twill
by Patrick Mackle
Fri Sep 17, 2010 7:12 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: precursor to LED signs
Replies: 12
Views: 7441

precursor to LED signs

Shorpy site: http://www.shorpy.com/node/8978 or type in Buffalo Bank: 1908 Look closely under the SWIFT sign at the bulb pattern boards. (think Las Vegas to come) lol!! Also there is a sign shop and United Cigar shop. Check out the "eye" signs. Not to mention all the oil stains in the stre...
by Patrick Mackle
Wed Sep 15, 2010 5:57 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Asphaltum Bummer!!
Replies: 10
Views: 6033

Re: Asphaltum Bummer!!

Hi Inga,
Found a dusty cache in a corner of San Berdu. ALOT nearer than Denver thank goodness.
"Rocky Mountain hiii-iiighh- Coloradoooo"
Pat Denver
by Patrick Mackle
Wed Sep 15, 2010 1:48 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Asphaltum Bummer!!
Replies: 10
Views: 6033

Re: Asphaltum Bummer!!

Erik, As a matter of fact I have several NazDar resists in quarts on my shelf. One is an "experimental sample" for me to evaluate. The resists are light blue in color. I was not thrilled with their performance as they dried in the screen and if I added retarder to them for open time, they ...
by Patrick Mackle
Wed Sep 15, 2010 1:26 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Asphaltum Bummer!!
Replies: 10
Views: 6033

Re: Asphaltum Bummer!!

Searchin'-searchin'. Whew, I'm good. $11.00 a gallon. Bought 'em up- cleaned 'em out. Probably bury me in it. 8) Pat (aka: Tar Baby) "Good Morning," said Brer Rabbit, doffing his hat. "Nice weather we're having." The Tar Baby said nothing. Brer Fox laid low and grinned an evil gr...
by Patrick Mackle
Tue Sep 14, 2010 10:18 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Asphaltum Bummer!!
Replies: 10
Views: 6033

Asphaltum Bummer!!

I'm trying to console myself... some things lately are beginning to bring me down :cry: Some good 'ol ways are goin' away ... I went to my usual home supply store to get another gallon of asphaltum for making my own acid resist. I used to buy Henry's 108 lap cement. I've purchased it for many years ...
by Patrick Mackle
Mon Sep 13, 2010 3:53 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Screen print a 3 color image
Replies: 10
Views: 4938

Re: Screen print a 3 color image

I took a color file to Ford Graphics in Glendale, Calif. I had them inkjet print my color file onto a self adhesive acetate material that can then be applied to glass with a mild soapy water solution. The acetate already has a nice transparent white layer that backs up the colors printed on it. The ...
by Patrick Mackle
Thu Sep 09, 2010 6:46 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Pharmacy Jars
Replies: 9
Views: 5477

Re: Pharmacy Jars

Dave, I CANNOT make myself BELIEVE that someone painted those fine details that neat and clean by reaching into a restricted opening. I will allow that the larger color background areas are most likely added inside the jar by hand. I THINK that the black line and gold leaf were most likely painted d...
by Patrick Mackle
Thu Sep 09, 2010 1:44 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Pharmacy Jars
Replies: 9
Views: 5477

Re: Pharmacy Jars

I am HIGHLY suspicious that this work was entirely done by hand on the inside of the jar. I would like to see these jars in person and REALLY get a good look. Just on these two jars alone, the area at the top of the design where the grains of wheat have the fine pointed tufts, the curve of the neck ...