Welcome to The Hand Lettering Forum!
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 160 matches

by pat mackle
Mon Jun 30, 2014 7:52 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: My brushes are splitting down the middle.
Replies: 7
Views: 5373

Re: My brushes are splitting down the middle.

David,
Are you using turpentine as a final solvent to clean your brush? If so, it is a gum solvent and will leave a pine resin residue in your brush that will gum up and eventually harden. THAT may be your entire problem. Use a pure clean evaporating solvent to clean your brush, one with no residue.
by pat mackle
Fri Jun 27, 2014 4:43 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Glass Tombstones
Replies: 32
Views: 37859

Re: Glass Tombstones

Erik, I feel happy to have met your Mom, if only once. The memory of her face and voice are forever in my mind. You and your family have made a very fitting place for her to rest. I'm sure that she is very honored to be placed with beautiful momentos that only your hands and your craft skills could ...
by pat mackle
Fri Jun 20, 2014 8:14 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: My brushes are splitting down the middle.
Replies: 7
Views: 5373

Re: My brushes are splitting down the middle.

Sounds like the hairs are binding together. Maybe some residual paint from earlier use. Maybe this current fresh paint has revived it a bit and it is now tacking the hair together when you try to pallet it. Here is my suggestion. I would thoroughly clean the brush in ONLY solvent. No lard oil or pac...
by pat mackle
Wed May 21, 2014 10:10 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Hi, Newbie Here
Replies: 7
Views: 5732

Re: Hi, Newbie Here

Hi Bobbie and welcome. Your work does not look far off from some of my first goes. Looks like you are in the early stages of developing the eye and hand coordination which is a significant hurdle. Your show card work seems off to a good start. I'm sure you see some differences in your stroke widths,...
by pat mackle
Tue May 20, 2014 7:11 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Backup paint question
Replies: 3
Views: 4207

Re: Backup paint question

Hi, I posted that bit about adding NazDar #59000 series(clear) to One Shot enamel. It adds film strength and better adhesion when added. Also I use it to screen print One Shot to glass(gives it better body). Works in a pinch and prevents me from having to stock seldom needed screen enamels. The Fire...
by pat mackle
Fri Apr 25, 2014 11:06 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: unusual way to use gold leaf
Replies: 4
Views: 4608

Re: unusual way to use gold leaf

I saw this in Dave Smith's water closet. lol!
by pat mackle
Fri Apr 25, 2014 11:03 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: No news?
Replies: 87
Views: 86625

Re: No news?

Nice work Erik. Good photos. Love to see the variety of jobs coming your way.
by pat mackle
Thu Apr 17, 2014 4:40 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Pulled Ferrule off of handle.
Replies: 6
Views: 5461

Re: Pulled Ferrule off of handle.

I sometimes glue loose ferrules back on the handle with 3M automotive weather strip adhesive. Strong, solvent resistant and fast drying.
They never come loose again, but you can cut them off to reuse the handle.
by pat mackle
Wed Apr 09, 2014 1:11 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Urban craftsmen at work (video)
Replies: 4
Views: 3932

Re: Urban craftsmen at work (video)

Not bad, but I was hoping for a two tone drop shade to make it pop.
by pat mackle
Wed Mar 26, 2014 6:00 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Quills
Replies: 6
Views: 5516

Re: Quills

I agree that using pure turps is a good start. I use linseed oil in etching resists exactly because it does solidify in its advanced drying stage. But even in this semi hardened state I can soften it by warming it. If using turps as mentioned seems to not work within a reasonable time, try warming t...
by pat mackle
Fri Mar 21, 2014 12:27 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: The Hensley Co.
Replies: 85
Views: 78652

Re: The Hensley Co.

Hi Robare, My response is based on what I know, and a little reverse relationship history educated guessing. I may be able to find more true info in the future. The Bowman referred to is Greg Bowman. He was one of the talented bunch along with Dean that had links and shared a love of things "ol...
by pat mackle
Sun Mar 16, 2014 12:46 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Preparing glass for etching
Replies: 4
Views: 4175

Re: Preparing glass for etching

This is what I know about cleaning glass. First it depends on what condition the glass is in and what contaminates are on the glass. One of the biggest enemies to glass is ordinary tap water, which if left to sit on the glass will leave water deposits. Rain water will not leave water deposits. Water...
by pat mackle
Thu Mar 13, 2014 2:17 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Graffiti on Historic Ghost Sign
Replies: 8
Views: 6995

Re: Graffiti on Historic Ghost Sign

If the tagging is not too old. You may try this on a small portion. Take clean paper(the most soft and absorbent the better, try paper towels or paper shop towels) Try two types of thinner since we don't know which spray paint the little "...." used. If it is still fresh Naptha may work. I...
by pat mackle
Wed Mar 05, 2014 9:03 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Second hand electro pounce for sale?
Replies: 12
Views: 14217

Re: Second hand electro pounce for sale?

I am wondering if you can simply build a homemade electric pounce out of a ordinary 12 volt car battery and an automotive ignition coil. Heck, you probably don't even need a coil. Just the battery alone would create a good spark. Adding a 12 volt pot (potentiometer) to adjust the power should allow ...
by pat mackle
Thu Feb 27, 2014 5:54 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: France from the past
Replies: 14
Views: 10486

Re: Old Pictures : Paris (France) 1900-2013

Hi Vance,
I see arrows in buttons on the left and right of the picture to advance the photos. Try reducing the window on your screen, maybe the arrows will appear.
by pat mackle
Thu Feb 27, 2014 1:59 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: France from the past
Replies: 14
Views: 10486

Re: Old Pictures : Paris (France) 1900-2013

Hi Francois, Thank you for posting your photos here. I think it is awesome that you have undertaken this process of documenting this history of buildings and signs. Wow, how times have changed things. I must say that I find the old advertising ways have much more individual eye catching appeal. I ca...
by pat mackle
Sun Feb 16, 2014 3:36 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Double Dip Gallery
Replies: 8
Views: 7954

Re: Double Dip Gallery

Hey Tony,
This could be a great move to get your art in the public's eye as well as your other talents. Best of all you can be busy on jobs,
while walk in customers peruse your paintings. What is the address?
by pat mackle
Tue Feb 11, 2014 7:37 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: 1st Glue Chipped Panel
Replies: 4
Views: 4091

Re: 1st Glue Chipped Panel

Hi Tim,
What media did you blast with and what was the grit size? I find courser grit yields a brighter gild background in the chip area.
by pat mackle
Sun Feb 09, 2014 7:55 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Quiz
Replies: 12
Views: 9819

Re: Quiz

Of course the first thing to do is decide if the glass is tempered or not. The window may or may not be marked with a tempering label(bug). The most obvious way is to look for distortions in the tin side. Often when float glass is tempered, the residual slight tin coating expands and then contracts ...
by pat mackle
Fri Jan 31, 2014 5:48 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Quiz
Replies: 12
Views: 9819

Re: Quiz

Can you be more specific??
by pat mackle
Tue Jan 28, 2014 5:09 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Pinstripe Brushes?
Replies: 4
Views: 5058

Re: Pinstripe Brushes?

Aren't Pebeo bottled products water based? I have some that dry into a hard acrylic, even harder if you cure them in an oven.
by pat mackle
Tue Jan 28, 2014 5:04 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: In Memoriam - Starr Bright
Replies: 8
Views: 8492

Re: In Memoriam - Starr Bright

This is sad. Sorry I never got to talk to her. Did she have anything on line of her work? A web page? She was lucky to have had some time with notable glass decorating companies. I would liked to have asked her some questions about glue chipping, stenciling methods, and the like and see how much ori...
by pat mackle
Sat Jan 18, 2014 2:33 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Yard Stick font
Replies: 6
Views: 6297

Re: Yard Stick font

The 3 X 5 rule was coined by the early Romans as the most esthetic visual balance of height and width. I believe I read that is the rule that the Greek Parthenon was built on. Even rail road tracks are built based on the width of the ruts Roman chariots produced on roadways. Not that they were were ...
by pat mackle
Thu Jan 09, 2014 3:11 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: It's that time of the year!
Replies: 3
Views: 3212

Re: It's that time of the year!

I too would like to thank everybody who keeps this site up and running nicely. It seems that about the
time I start to take it for granted, this annual post appears and I realize that it would not be here but for
the efforts of those behind the scene. Thank you all! :!:
by pat mackle
Thu Dec 26, 2013 12:00 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Camoflauge Letters
Replies: 9
Views: 7842

Re: Camoflauge Letters

Hi Rob,
I first saw this process about a year ago and was amazed how it could be so accurate when applied to the most difficult looking
compound curves. Looks good on glass too.
by pat mackle
Wed Dec 25, 2013 2:05 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Decorative Glass Processes...
Replies: 18
Views: 15262

love my wheels

Taken at age three. Guess I was born a "wheel man" and a "gear head". Check those old cars in the background, would love to have them now! Unfortunately, my dad's 1950 two door olive green Ford flat head V-8 is missing from the driveway. I really loved that car! Looks like I'm po...
by pat mackle
Wed Dec 25, 2013 1:40 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Decorative Glass Processes...
Replies: 18
Views: 15262

Re: Decorative Glass Processes...

My sister sent me this old photo of my earlier days. I am pictured at twelve years old astride my new 1963 metallic purple Schwinn StingRay with racing slick rear tire. The nuns at school tried to discourage my artistic talents, sending me home with my flamed hot rod drawings pinned to my shirt, and...
by pat mackle
Tue Dec 24, 2013 7:55 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Decorative Glass Processes...
Replies: 18
Views: 15262

Re: Decorative Glass Processes...

I know that there are ways of getting top ranking on the net. Not everybody can agree on what's best or acceptable. I know initially it was to load your meta tag with loads of key words to attract search engines, and on the hiding words in your wall paper. A friend of mine rents property to a known ...
by pat mackle
Sun Dec 22, 2013 3:44 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Decorative Glass Processes...
Replies: 18
Views: 15262

my sister sent me this

Here is an interesting clip of a clever animatron creation. I thought some people here would appreciate this early this piece like I did. It also eventually presents an exploded diagram of the internal workings which I began to ponder at the very beginning of the clip. You will see that it contains ...
by pat mackle
Fri Dec 20, 2013 12:28 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Possible Rawson & Evans piece
Replies: 12
Views: 10049

Re: Possible Rawson & Evans piece

What is the treatment on the letters of these signs? The sign that is photographed on the couch does not appear to be glue chipped, as it is quite even and complete especially in the finer letters. It also appears to be too deep to be a acid/mica stipple. Looks more like acid rotting. Or maybe the r...