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 477 matches

by Patrick Mackle
Mon Mar 30, 2020 9:21 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Stay safe everybody
Replies: 2
Views: 12084

Re: Stay safe everybody

Thanks Danny for this. I had thought I had this meticulous hand washing CEREMONY down good, but this visual made me rethink my game. Thanks!! And you be safe also.
by Patrick Mackle
Wed Feb 20, 2019 12:59 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Etching cream vs sandblasting on glass
Replies: 11
Views: 47889

Re: Etching cream vs sandblasting on glass

Hi, sorry to read your question so late. Armor etch is a "quick frosting" acid mixture. It is a liquid acid and an acid salt. Thus it will quickly fall out of suspension(solids settle out) So to get the most even etch, it must be freshly stirred, and applied to the glass surface in a smoot...
by Patrick Mackle
Mon Dec 31, 2018 1:57 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Safety conditions when mirroring silver
Replies: 1
Views: 5392

Re: Safety conditions when mirroring silver

Hi. I have never studied formal chemistry, and never studied silver chemistry. But in my quest to learn silvering from elderly glass/mirroring men I did hear of some explosive accidents from the formation of fulminate of silver. I understand that the mixture has to dry before it can become unstable ...
by Patrick Mackle
Mon Dec 31, 2018 1:31 pm
Forum: Annoucements
Topic: Danny Baronian in the Hospital
Replies: 8
Views: 19324

Re: Danny Baronian in the Hospital

Hi to Danny. I just logged in and learned this update. I talked with Danny several months ago and we spoke about things and life things also. I hope you are back on track soon Danny. We'll have to have a chat again. All the best wishes to you. We've been friends for quite a while.
by Patrick Mackle
Fri Oct 26, 2018 3:05 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: ANGEL GILDED AND CHIPPED SIGN
Replies: 1
Views: 5486

ANGEL GILDED AND CHIPPED SIGN

Some information on an old glue chipped and ANGEL GILDED glass sign circa 1940's. I first noticed this piece oddly out of place near a store entrance back in 1980 when I was starting my glass etching business in my garage. I came to find out that there had been an old glass shop at the location unti...
by Patrick Mackle
Wed Oct 17, 2018 9:26 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: 1918 mirroring forensics
Replies: 0
Views: 9155

1918 mirroring forensics

I am always trying to learn about antique mirrors and their early processes. The gods were gracious last night!!! The ONLY THING BETTER would have been if the were backed in PERIOD NEWSPAPERS! lol I will try to load photos, as for now I am experiencing some problems with uploading. I just acquired t...
by Patrick Mackle
Wed Jan 25, 2012 10:00 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Original Dead Men
Replies: 686
Views: 2083407

Re: Original Dead Men

As it's goin', Larry n' me won't have no need for such things at the slabs.
We're lighten'n our load. Am I right Larry, am I close?
Just the sun beatin' down at the slabs. It'll curl up yur ol' paint fer the wind to blow away, leaded or not, it don't matter out there.
Pat
by Patrick Mackle
Wed Jan 18, 2012 5:24 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Original Dead Men
Replies: 686
Views: 2083407

Re: Original Dead Men

Nice piece Larry. It looks like that frame got some sand blastin' to raise the grain. Am I right?
Pat
by Patrick Mackle
Wed Jan 04, 2012 5:39 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Silvering with Hand Held Triger Sprayers
Replies: 67
Views: 48653

Re: Silvering with Hand Held Triger Sprayers

Have you found that the pump sprayers do a better job than a silvering gun, or is it to keep the start-up investment at a minimum?
Is there a recommended clear coat to protect the silver from tarnishing?
Maybe you could do an updated youtube video of the process.
Pat
by Patrick Mackle
Fri Dec 30, 2011 5:26 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: No news?
Replies: 87
Views: 86477

Re: No news?

Erik,
That's nice clean work. I especially like the "Patrick" part.
Pat
by Patrick Mackle
Fri Dec 16, 2011 6:35 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: 1906 Rawson & Evans sign on shorpy
Replies: 16
Views: 11981

Re: 1906 Rawson & Evans sign on shorpy

I found this link a while ago, but it always makes me feel positive to look at the past when I feel a little low. These old music machines actually incorporate many of the skills we all love, carving, brush work, gilding, brilliant cutting, and fancy mirrors can all be found on these instruments. On...
by Patrick Mackle
Thu Dec 15, 2011 12:06 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: No news?
Replies: 87
Views: 86477

Re: No news?

Yes Eric, I do remember that pub, as well as all the other hidden jewels that delighted me while we biked and walked together. When things get too stressed around here lately, I escape to my memories and find myself reliving our traveling around over there. I had a great time, and much of it was esp...
by Patrick Mackle
Wed Dec 14, 2011 2:14 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Brush oil
Replies: 22
Views: 18214

Re: Brush oil

I have always used lard oil. Back in 1972 when I was taking Sign Arts at Pasadena City College in Pasadena California, I bought all of my brushes (Langnickel Yellow Rockets and Macs) and a large tin of "lard oil" from Issie Possner. I believe it is pork lard. Issie would occasionally visit...
by Patrick Mackle
Sat Dec 10, 2011 4:14 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: The Art of Gold Leaf Glass Signs
Replies: 40
Views: 22046

Re: The Art of Gold Leaf Glass Signs

This could be a real good time to get some history straight for ourselves and those who may pursue the craft.
Why not call this pokergame, and have everybody with some clear knowledge show their factual cards. Let's do it before the 2012 Mayan calender runs out, or it won't matter anyhow. :wink:
Pat
by Patrick Mackle
Fri Nov 25, 2011 5:54 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: How to make Asphaltum Varnish...
Replies: 12
Views: 12862

Re: How to make Asphaltum Varnish...

It would all be based on how unadulterated it is from it's original name sake. If it has been fortified with fibers or fillers for brushability, or if it has been altered to meet new environmental requirements could affect its use as a product for our purposes.
Pat
by Patrick Mackle
Tue Nov 22, 2011 10:27 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: How to make Asphaltum Varnish...
Replies: 12
Views: 12862

Re: How to make Asphaltum Varnish...

Oh! Woe is me! What times are these, when good sign men and embossers are made to breathe life back into a withered spoon's worth of powdered asphaltum so's to put a wee shadow on a scant banner. Oh! woe is me! Paticus of Tardom :roll: I guess I could always move to the Texas gulf and await the next...
by Patrick Mackle
Sun Nov 20, 2011 2:06 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Lear
Replies: 44
Views: 33797

Re: Lear

I'll bet the man that ran that glass cut fell into the nearest pub for a pint!
Pat
On closer look, I see it was laminated glass as well. Add another pint! :wink:
by Patrick Mackle
Wed Nov 16, 2011 4:37 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: How to make Asphaltum Varnish...
Replies: 12
Views: 12862

Re: How to make Asphaltum Varnish...

Here I go again into the mysteries of asphaltum. I used to be able to buy pure petroleum based asphaltum in gallon cans as non fibered "lap cement" found as a roofing product. But environmental changes have bastardized those products into water based products. (it is alarming when opening ...
by Patrick Mackle
Sun Nov 13, 2011 7:00 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Lear
Replies: 44
Views: 33797

Re: Lear

I wish Rick was here to see this, and a few of the previous as well.
Pat
by Patrick Mackle
Mon Nov 07, 2011 11:43 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Wheel of Fortune
Replies: 7
Views: 4894

Re: Wheel of Fortune

Those turned out really nice! A man in your position has to be handy with either a quill or a glass scribe.
Pat
by Patrick Mackle
Wed Nov 02, 2011 11:22 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Lear
Replies: 44
Views: 33797

Re: Lear

Hey Dave, That panel is looking really good. There you are doing all those fine glass techniques while I am getting mostly getting brick etching jobs lately (I need a new sales rep! :lol: ) I must have done something wicked in an earlier life! lol! :twisted: :roll: Please keep us updated, it is refr...
by Patrick Mackle
Wed Oct 19, 2011 5:07 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Type and fashion
Replies: 9
Views: 7731

Re: Type and fashion

Robert,
Your post is like a dose of Malox for my stomach. Good to know that some paper work as been drawn up to govern the use of the properties and that their use will support the museum.
Pat
by Patrick Mackle
Thu Sep 15, 2011 4:42 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Type and fashion
Replies: 9
Views: 7731

Re: Type and fashion

Here is another related site that I learned about from Huell Howser of a print museum in Carson California. I want to go there the next time I'm in that area. go to: www.printmuseum.org I have to say that as I watched the clip about Target's design crew grabbing all those many years of accumulated n...
by Patrick Mackle
Thu Sep 15, 2011 2:35 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: tire safety (when traveling to your next job)
Replies: 9
Views: 7037

Re: tire safety (when traveling to your next job)

Erik, Dave, Larry, and Kelly, Thank you all for your concern, but actually that front tire problem actually happened about two years ago, I was only recounting that experience as a lesson on how quickly and unexpected a tire problem can occur. I am safe now thank you all. However, back when I bought...
by Patrick Mackle
Wed Sep 14, 2011 4:17 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: tire safety (when traveling to your next job)
Replies: 9
Views: 7037

Re: tire safety (when traveling to your next job)

Dave,
I agree mate. If your tires appear the least bit curdled or moldy, you'd be best hoofin' it!
Pat
by Patrick Mackle
Wed Sep 14, 2011 12:56 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: tire safety (when traveling to your next job)
Replies: 9
Views: 7037

Re: tire safety (when traveling to your next job)

Well Larry, seeing that those tires are the only thing between you and the road, and you are at the mercy of the tire manufacturers, you have to ask yourself, how many years are on those tires? Does that "111" mean the first week of 2011, or is it the eleventh week of 2001? Well how about ...
by Patrick Mackle
Tue Sep 13, 2011 1:02 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: tire safety (when traveling to your next job)
Replies: 9
Views: 7037

tire safety (when traveling to your next job)

This could be considered a little off topic, (thus the job reference) but it is something important that I want all of my friends to know. It happened to me while driving my one ton Ford dually at 65MPH over the old Pasadena Frwy bridge. The left front tire disintigrated so violently that it bent th...
by Patrick Mackle
Mon Aug 22, 2011 12:51 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Rawson and Evans on Archive.org on PDF
Replies: 10
Views: 7377

Re: Rawson and Evans on Archive.org on PDF

Otis, Several years ago I came across some faint mention of an early glass glue used to affix glass letters and metal letters to glass. It was an obscured mention of an adhesive formula. The basis of it hinted at hide glue, glycerine and another "mystery" ingredient that I was led to imagi...
by Patrick Mackle
Sun Aug 21, 2011 4:27 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Rawson and Evans on Archive.org on PDF
Replies: 10
Views: 7377

Re: Rawson and Evans on Archive.org on PDF

Of the items shown in the above mentioned R&E print, the cut-out letters stole all of my attention. As mentioned, water jet cutting was far off in the future so I spent some time studying the photo of those letters to decide how the would have made them with the least amount of labor so as to be...
by Patrick Mackle
Wed Jul 27, 2011 9:42 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: 1906 Rawson & Evans sign on shorpy
Replies: 16
Views: 11981

Re: 1906 Rawson & Evans sign on shorpy

Leo,
Nice find, thank you for the link. Keep looking :D
Pat