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 19 matches

by John Smith
Fri Jun 07, 2019 8:30 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: first time using LeFrancs and having trouble.
Replies: 2
Views: 13242

Re: first time using LeFrancs and having trouble.

I am not familiar with putting an oil based size on glass. only water size with the appropriate gelatin. but - regardless of the substrate, I would thin oil size a little and definitely strain it. this could also be airborne dust in the room you are working in. if at all possible, when I am using a ...
by John Smith
Sat Dec 15, 2018 8:21 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Topcoats/clearcoats
Replies: 1
Views: 4676

Re: Topcoats/clearcoats

Mark - signs of this nature would be more easily addressed in another forum. http://www.letterville.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php/forum/1.html. as many members there produce exterior grade wood signs on a regular basis. use the "search" feature to find similar examples of what you are wanting to ...
by John Smith
Sat Aug 18, 2018 6:27 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Novice glass chipping (build chipping/drawing table)
Replies: 20
Views: 33990

Re: Novice glass chipping (build chipping/drawing table)

Re: Novice glass chipping

well, in my book, you are no longer a NOVICE !!!
wow - your glass work is Extraordinarily AWESOME !!
Thank You for taking the time to share your journey.
by John Smith
Sat Jul 28, 2018 6:39 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Large Scale Printed Design
Replies: 4
Views: 4826

Re: Large Scale Printed Design

[I know it's been over a month, and he probably already has it done by now] - - - - like Terry said: it's called "tiling" - where you print out large designs on smaller pieces of paper such as on a 24" plotter - then glue them all together to trace out onto your substrate. just like t...
by John Smith
Tue Jun 05, 2018 9:59 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: How's this done?
Replies: 5
Views: 6214

Re: How's this done?

please be aware that Hydrofluoric Acid that is commonly used in acid etching is a SEVERE carcinogen - it is readily absorbed through the skin and goes directly to the bone to cause bone cancer. very dangerous stuff if not used correctly. I learned acid etching from Rick Glawson "way back when&q...
by John Smith
Mon Apr 09, 2018 3:04 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Bon-Ami types
Replies: 5
Views: 10522

Re: Bon-Ami types

Chevrolet has handled a product in the body shop that duplicates the original Bon Ami, Windshield Cleaner/Ami Cleaning Powder #1050011. I have used it with success in preparing glass for gilding. make SURE that if you use windshield cleaner that it does not contain silicone products ~ such as Rain-...
by John Smith
Sat Feb 24, 2018 7:03 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Blabbermouth me, or just a polite host?
Replies: 18
Views: 18993

Re: Blabbermouth me, or just a polite host?

and double that, Alex !!

I attended Ken Millar's "Sign Knowledge" workshop in Colombia, SC in 1988
and have been Hooked on Phunics ever since !!
dozens and dozens of Letterhead/Lettervillle meets have been the most rewarding.
keep up the good works, guys ~ Keep the Craft ALIVE !!!
by John Smith
Fri Feb 23, 2018 8:01 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Is it Safe? Bronze on Marble Headstone
Replies: 4
Views: 4578

Re: Is it Safe? Bronze on Marble Headstone

Danny - that is a very interesting article you posted !!
THANKS for sharing !!!
by John Smith
Thu Feb 22, 2018 9:39 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Is it Safe? Bronze on Marble Headstone
Replies: 4
Views: 4578

Re: Is it Safe? Bronze on Marble Headstone

Personally - I would walk into the local cemetery monument place and discuss it with them.
not a phone call - something of this nature I would want a face-to-face with someone that
does that kind of work for a living.
by John Smith
Sun Feb 04, 2018 3:20 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Colortones Paint Formula Book
Replies: 5
Views: 5993

Re: Colortones Paint Formula Book

. I FOUND IT !!! Stumbling through some of my old unmarked boxes, I found the old ColorTones book. I was pretty sure I had one, but couldn't find it - it is not in the best of condition, but it is a start for anyone needing a vintage 1991 (1st Edition) book. I will be listing it on E-Bay tomorrow if...
by John Smith
Thu Nov 09, 2017 3:46 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Colortones Paint Formula Book
Replies: 5
Views: 5993

Re: Colortones Paint Formula Book

Mike - yes - you are so correct. I dug out my "Archives Storage File" a/k/a/: box of sign making junk and found my books. One is the Pantone Color Formula Guide 747XR for 1989-1990 and one book of "government issue" Federal Standard Colors FEDStand 595a for 1984. I am pretty sure...
by John Smith
Mon Nov 06, 2017 4:29 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Colortones Paint Formula Book
Replies: 5
Views: 5993

Re: Colortones Paint Formula Book

E-Bay has postings from 50.00 to $200.00 for an official PMS book.
the key search word would be "Pantone" color match system or matching book.
by John Smith
Tue Aug 29, 2017 8:07 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Trying to figure out this glass process
Replies: 6
Views: 6683

Re: Trying to figure out this glass process

Thanks Pat - very informative indeed !! I have only done a handful of dimensional glass projects and am mezmorized at the sharp serifs on each and every letter !!! I don't think I could not achieve such accuracy using computer cut mask. and of course, all that work was done FREEHAND with no Duct Tap...
by John Smith
Mon Aug 28, 2017 6:14 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Trying to figure out this glass process
Replies: 6
Views: 6683

Re: Trying to figure out this glass process

wow - very interesting project !!!
Pat, what do you think was used as the sandblast resist back then ?
by John Smith
Mon Aug 21, 2017 4:11 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Bon Ami Cake - homemade formula
Replies: 2
Views: 4313

Bon Ami Cake - homemade formula

I contacted the Faultless Starch / Bon Ami company about any stray product they may have and the answer was the same as other members have experienced: Currently, there are no more Bon Ami soap cakes in stock and due to the labor intensive process, it is not economical for them to produce it again a...
by John Smith
Mon Aug 21, 2017 7:49 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Blabbermouth me, or just a polite host?
Replies: 18
Views: 18993

Re: Blabbermouth me, or just a polite host?

~ It's always fun to see the old posts come back to the front page. Mike Jackson Mike (and the other Mods.) in most forums, it is not "Kosher" to resurrect old threads. Having just read back all 70 pages since 2004, I found several very interesting and informative posts that are still rel...
by John Smith
Mon Aug 21, 2017 7:08 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Spatzier
Replies: 18
Views: 178108

Re: Spatzier

wow - very impressive !!
I love to see old equipment and tools used in our modern world.
good work !! I can imagine you working at the Waterford Crystal Co. in no time.
good luck with your new find. pay very close attention to the bearings in the Spatzier.
by John Smith
Mon Aug 21, 2017 6:57 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: surface gilding...
Replies: 2
Views: 3812

Re: surface gilding...

Vance - yes, photos would be awesome ! or at least describe the technique of what you did. did you scratch just the sides, just the top surface or the entire letter ? inquiring minds want to know. There was a fellow member in New Port Richie, FL that gilded the Gemini plastic letters and sold them t...
by John Smith
Sat Aug 19, 2017 12:22 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: New Member - but an Old Soul ~ returns
Replies: 0
Views: 8309

New Member - but an Old Soul ~ returns

Having been "off the grid" for the last ten years or so, I am finally somewhat back on terra firma. I have been in the Letterhead Movement since 1990 or so after I attended Ken Millar's sign class in Columbia, SC. that is where I caught "The Bug" and started attending every meet ...