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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 160 matches

by pat mackle
Wed Dec 18, 2013 1:45 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Dublin signwriters short film
Replies: 16
Views: 13038

Re: Dublin signwriters short film

When I visited Georgetown in Colorado (where they filmed part of Every Which Way But Loose, starring Clint Eastwood) some of the old store fronts still had glass windows that dated back to the town's active mining days. Being an old glass guy, I don't just look at glass, I LOOK at glass. While press...
by pat mackle
Mon Dec 16, 2013 6:30 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Dublin signwriters short film
Replies: 16
Views: 13038

Re: Dublin signwriters short film

I enjoyed watching your film. I have an observation at 00:57 that you may be able to explain or describe. In that film frame a partial bit of the "E" shows in the upper right of the frame but it evokes a question for me. It depicts the window being lettered from the outside, but it also ap...
by pat mackle
Wed Dec 11, 2013 2:18 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Resilvering Mirror
Replies: 1
Views: 1987

Re: Resilvering Mirror

I would say that to guarantee the long life and integrity of the mirror, that you not try to patch a bad spot at that stage. It would necessitate applying tin over the
already silver area and who knows what immediate or long term problem that might cause.
by pat mackle
Sat Dec 07, 2013 3:57 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Magic Eraser for excess gold removal
Replies: 13
Views: 12077

Re: Magic Eraser for excess gold removal

Yes, Lee. The earliest way of making sheet glass was to gather it on a pipe and spin it into a flat disc of glass, much like pizza dough is spun into a flat sheet. Then after the glass cooled square sections of glass were cut from the disc to become window panes. The center "spud" of glass...
by pat mackle
Sat Dec 07, 2013 12:19 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Magic Eraser for excess gold removal
Replies: 13
Views: 12077

Re: Magic Eraser for excess gold removal

In answer to Lee's question about the difference in brightness of the gold on older and newer glass my observations are as follows. Older glass had less iron than todays newer glass. Also the older glass was probably a little thinner because they did not temper glass in those days. They will only te...
by pat mackle
Mon Nov 18, 2013 4:13 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Gatorboard Delamination
Replies: 4
Views: 3690

Re: Gatorboard Delamination

You have clearly laid your product performance concerns squarely out on "front street". As clear as the sign on the wall. Can't wait to hear their reply. If there is one.
by pat mackle
Mon Nov 11, 2013 12:55 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: HF Safety
Replies: 5
Views: 5140

Re: HF Safety

Hi Colt,
That was "warm" margarine to be exact. As accounted to me by Mr. Frank Zarra, an old time wheel cutter in his 90's who sold me his lathe and wheels.
by pat mackle
Mon Oct 28, 2013 12:23 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Making a font
Replies: 14
Views: 11121

Re: Making a font

I happened to find this font source. It's got some old and rustic looking old west and civil war fonts.
http://www.waldenfont.com
by pat mackle
Wed Oct 16, 2013 10:33 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Latest glass signs
Replies: 46
Views: 40279

Re: Latest glass signs

Very nice job Rod. Bet it's a real knock out to see in person.
Also noticed the tiny soft subliminal black silhouette emerging from atop the curtain. Hey.... is that Tinkerbell!?
by pat mackle
Wed Aug 21, 2013 4:39 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Black glass
Replies: 12
Views: 9173

Re: Black glass

There is a 1950's jewelry store front here in town and the front of the building is clad in a glossy black glass that was popular on store facades, it was a product called "Vitrolite" and came in a range of colors and a textured backside to hold the mastic adhesive. Sometimes these glass p...
by pat mackle
Sun Aug 11, 2013 5:11 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Black glass
Replies: 12
Views: 9173

Re: Black glass

This black glass has a lot of potential. I look forward to conducting some tests in bending, slumping, as well as either fusing or stack gluing it in preparation towards cold working into glass elements and art pieces.
by pat mackle
Fri Aug 09, 2013 12:21 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Yet another newbie
Replies: 41
Views: 85287

Re: Yet another newbie

Hi Vladimir, When I first awoke this morning, I passed the breakfast table and headed straight to my computer to see what would be the latest response here. To my delight, yours is an absolute display of hand craftsmanship. I am in awe of your dedication on these pieces. As my friends on this site w...
by pat mackle
Fri Aug 09, 2013 12:21 pm
Forum: Hand Lettering Gallery
Topic: Yet another newbie
Replies: 41
Views: 58056

Re: Yet another newbie

Hi Vladimir, When I first awoke this morning, I passed the breakfast table and headed straight to my computer to see what would be the latest response here. To my delight, yours is an absolute display of hand craftsmanship. I am in awe of your dedication on these pieces. As my friends on this site w...
by pat mackle
Fri Aug 09, 2013 1:03 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Yet another newbie
Replies: 41
Views: 85287

Re: Yet another newbie

Hi Vladimir, Your work is very nice and I have always been very drawn to those types of designs. I would love to create traditional verre eglomise ornate mirrors like those in my studio but most clients won't pay for the intense time and labor required for a one-of-a-kind masterpiece executed in the...
by pat mackle
Fri Aug 09, 2013 1:03 am
Forum: Hand Lettering Gallery
Topic: Yet another newbie
Replies: 41
Views: 58056

Re: Yet another newbie

Hi Vladimir, Your work is very nice and I have always been very drawn to those types of designs. I would love to create traditional verre eglomise ornate mirrors like those in my studio but most clients won't pay for the intense time and labor required for a one-of-a-kind masterpiece executed in the...
by pat mackle
Thu Aug 08, 2013 5:56 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Stockton Court House Glass wall
Replies: 3
Views: 4362

Re: Stockton Court House Glass wall

Other ways to display etched photos without adding color are with edge lighting and controlled ambient light. (These photos are tagged edge lit and non lit) The dot size depends greatly on the panel size and the contrast needed for the photo to read well. Usually, a larger photo panel demands a larg...
by pat mackle
Thu Aug 08, 2013 5:28 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Stockton Court House Glass wall
Replies: 3
Views: 4362

Re: Stockton Court House Glass wall

Hey Robert,
That looks like quite an interesting job. Thanks for posting it.
I've done some half tone and mezzotint etchings.
Adding a paint fill can prevent a photograph etched onto glass from flipping between a positive and a negative image in certain lighting conditions.
by pat mackle
Thu Jun 06, 2013 9:49 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Screen Printing_One Shot Paint
Replies: 9
Views: 10145

Re: Screen Printing_One Shot Paint

Vance, Long about 15 years ago I won a big job to etch hundreds of names into big thick tempered glass panels. They were serifed letters and the architect specified that the letters be highly prismatic as if each was hand chiseled. (I actually just remembered that I was referred by a German trained ...
by pat mackle
Thu Jun 06, 2013 7:56 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Screen Printing_One Shot Paint
Replies: 9
Views: 10145

Re: Screen Printing_One Shot Paint

Hi Doug, The only reason that I use OneShot for printing (in a pinch) is that I don't do that much screen printing. So rather than store screen inks/special ink solvents and lettering paints that dry out over time, I just keep the paints which I can practically mix to match any PMS color. Being in C...
by pat mackle
Thu Jun 06, 2013 4:46 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Screen Printing_One Shot Paint
Replies: 9
Views: 10145

Re: Screen Printing_One Shot Paint

Yes, I have screen printed with One Shot. It can be done. Use it right from the can without thinning. Use a fine mesh screen, between 110-250. Print off contact, use a screen that is tight and snaps away right behind the squeegee and use a fairly sharp edged squeegee of medium hardness. When you are...
by pat mackle
Mon May 20, 2013 9:20 pm
Forum: Annoucements
Topic: Best Birthday Present Ever!...
Replies: 4
Views: 12020

Re: Best Birthday Present Ever!...

Hi Larry,
I recognized that your daughter has a great eye and photographic talent when I saw the video she put together of the slabs.
Noticed it in the first few minutes. Happy Birthday and hope to break some sushi together soon.
by pat mackle
Wed May 08, 2013 3:01 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Sign Painters in MD/DC/VA?
Replies: 7
Views: 4714

Re: Sign Painters in MD/DC/VA?

I have long noticed that my local Trader Joe's market uses constantly updated chalk signs to advertise "specials" throughout their store. They are done in colored chalk. They are clever and eye catching. I find myself stopping to give them a closer look. Funny, but I seem to recall the cha...
by pat mackle
Tue May 07, 2013 7:22 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Photographing glass signs and mirrors
Replies: 13
Views: 8657

Re: Photographing glass signs and mirrors

I find that photographs of mirrors, where the focal plane of the mirror is sharp, and the reflected image of the surroundings is slightly/moderately blurred come off quite well. Especially if the surrounding decor is intentionally themed to compliment the mirror as Rod mentioned like a pub or bar sc...
by pat mackle
Sun Apr 21, 2013 3:38 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Sandblasted Letter Gilding
Replies: 12
Views: 8680

Re: Sandblasted Letter Gilding

Ash, This pertains most of all if you are using a pressure pot system over a siphon system. If you are blasting with 180-220 mesh and have plenty if CFM and pressure, the next thing to address is is your blasting nozzle. Your blasting nozzle is very important and the final control as to how your bla...
by pat mackle
Fri Apr 19, 2013 1:59 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Lefranc original gold size.
Replies: 35
Views: 33365

Re: Lefranc original gold size.

Thanks Danny.
So, in other words rumors abound and the plot thickens- but not the gold size. Verrry interesting.
by pat mackle
Wed Apr 17, 2013 7:15 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Lefranc original gold size.
Replies: 35
Views: 33365

Re: Lefranc original gold size.

Hi Danny. I wonder how old are your cans of LeFranc. It seems to have slowly fallen out of favor/performance in increments as they attempted to alter the mixture to meet enviromental restrictions (as mentioned previously, any small stash of the original LeFranc is a real find)
by pat mackle
Wed Apr 17, 2013 12:55 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Lefranc original gold size.
Replies: 35
Views: 33365

Re: Lefranc original gold size.

In researching for a moment I got the story that Rolco is out of business, and that some of it's former employees started up to make it again under the name "DUX". I was told that it is based on the original formula, but now is said to be made even better. I have a question to Doug or anyb...
by pat mackle
Wed Apr 10, 2013 11:05 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Lefranc original gold size.
Replies: 35
Views: 33365

Re: Lefranc original gold size.

Hi Doug,
Akzo Nobel makes a great matte additive that would dull and may also act as a dryer. Something to consider in formulating a matte finish gold size. :idea:
by pat mackle
Wed Apr 10, 2013 7:51 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Lefranc original gold size.
Replies: 35
Views: 33365

Re: Lefranc original gold size.

I hate this cr+p! You would think that with all the lead they have taken away (gasoline, paint, solder, car radiators, ammunition,toys, etc.) that they could afford to leave traditional gold size products alone. If it severely affects the product, maybe it's best left alone. After, all a good gild j...
by pat mackle
Sat Apr 06, 2013 1:48 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Problems with glue chip
Replies: 11
Views: 7516

Re: Problems with glue chip

To answer several questions in the above posts. On the topic of varnish/asphaltum. Q: "my varnish dries in 10 minutes" A: I don't use a varnish as a resist, I use asphaltum based mixtures which I like to let dry for at least several days or longer. My loose description of a "varnish&q...