Manual tube filling machine...

[Larry White]

Well, the Japan Paint in a tube is about all gone. It is a dammed shame.
I would give three dollars right now for a set of Japan Paint in a tube.

Way back when...maybe, maybe it was 1988, I took that first gilders
workshop with Rick Glawson. I remember him saying he liked to use
Japan Paint, 'cause it dried fast, and flat, and the colors were more
true to the old antiques he would work on. Figured, "What did I know",
sounded like a good idea to me, and heck, he sold them! Gave him $50
right there on the spot for a set.

Them tubes been gettin' shorter by the day...I don't like it none.
So I thought, wait a minute, I know, I could tube up my own...perhaps
for some friends too...if they could break away from that OneShot.

Does anyone know where that tubing machine Rick had ended up?

Or, any ideas on where to get a manual tube filling machine? Guess
I need the tubes too....

Much obliged.

-BB



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[Mike Jackson]

http://www.jerrysartarama.com/discount- ... n=shopping

Larry, just do a Google search for Empty Paint Tubes. There are lots of sources.

At one time, Rick just had a 2x4 with a hole drilled into it just a bit bigger than the tube. He simply poured the paint in the tube, then crimped it closed. It seems like he might have had six or seven holes in the board so he could do several at a time.

Mike Jackson

[Jerry Berg]

I found another site selling the tubes and the price was the same.
You tube up the paint and I'll buy the stuff.... Great Idea Larry.

[Larry White]

That simple, huh? ...I'll be danged....

Is there a special crimper, ya think? ...didn't see one at that website link...

Guess I should Google it myself....but, thanks for the insight!

[Mike Jackson]

Danny or some of the others may remember, but I think Rick used a long, thin pair of needle nose pliers. Low-tech manual tube filling...

It might matter some if you were re-selling the tubes of paint, but if only for yourself, it won't matter if the crimped end is a little off or if a drip of paint escapes during the filling. We filled some here, and it wasn't hard at all.

Mike Jackson

[Danny Baronian]

Never did find the crimper at Rick's.

Talked to David T, and he said Rick used a crimper to seal the ends. Whether it was specifically made for that purpose, or as Mike said needle nose pliers, don't know. Years ago I searched online for tube crimpers, but never found a source. Many places carry the tubes, including Dick Blick, but nothing to seal the ends.

All the tubes from Rick's are folded over once and crimped with a tool that left vertical lines embedded on the fold, looking at the tube held vertically.

With the question coming up again, still no luck with an online source for crimpers, but found what may be the best, and most economical solution - Vice grip sheet metal clamp. It doesn't have serrated jaws, but with the aluminum tubes, it should seal the ends easily, and can be found at most hardware stores.

Between that, and what Mike said about the holes in the bench, all you need now is a supply of tubes, paint and you're set to go! It was a low tech, manual operation.

Besides the japan colors, you need to fill some tubes with transparent screen ink too!

Danny

[Robare M. Novou]

This might be the site you need to check out on how to fill and crimp paint tubes.
http://www.hudsonvalleypainter.com/2009 ... aint-demo/

Seems they use a tube wringer and canvas pliers.

[Anthony Bennett]

Hmmm, is the the birth of a new type of "Machine Oil" ?

[Tony Segale]

If I hear another one of you gilding waddies say they're going to get japan colors back in the tubes,
I think I'd shake his hand and buy him a Daniel Webster cigar.

Maybe... maybe it is true.
Maybe Larry really is going to fill those tubes with japans.
How long you think it'll be before I can get some?

I have plenty of extra one-shot. I will entertain an offer for the rest of it.

[Larry White]

You was always wise, Jenco, and you remain true to to form.

But the fact is, this is what I always respected about you guys.
What I always appreciated. How you treat other people and
how you treat me. How you never look for no trouble.
That you quickly reply to my questions, and how you know things.

Maybe...maybe Jenco's right...maybe I am getting myself into
something bigger than I am.

....I'll have to weigh this....

Thanks for the help, much obliged.



-BB



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[BruceJackson]

So what are you going to put in those tubes?

The guy who makes my favourite back-up paint, Vipond's drop black, told me he hasn't made a new batch for 3 or 4 years and is just slowly selling old stock. In fact, when my local sign supplies shop stopped stocking it recently, I called him and he said..."oh..so you're the guy who is still buying it!". hahaha. And i can't find Japan colors here anyway these days.

Seems to me, there is an ultimate solution to avoiding the problem of being at the whim of a paint company. Especially in these uncertain times of a hugely reduced market for specialist sign paint.

We may have to go back to the days of the old masters and make our own paint to put in those tubes. Get the dry pigment, get a glass plate and muller, and grind you're own mix of pigment in gold size or resin/varnish blend of your choice.

The trouble is, we don't know the exact formulas or recipees that will give us high quality, long-lasting paints that won't crack, yellow or turn to powder in a few years. Modern paint technology has given us better performance is some respects than traditional materials.