Dave, Check out decalpaper.com they offer a waterslide paper. About 10 years ago I bought all the materials and decal paper needed to make water transfer decals from McLogan's Sign Supply in L.A.. I was planning, and still would like to set some time aside to make waterslide decals with vitreous (gl...

I wonder if that lady had any additional remorse from realizing she sent an irreplaceable "sano" classic to an early grave? Makes me wanna cry.
Pat

John came out of it pretty well thanks in part to that vintage thick gauge Detroit tin and those nice high back seats and competition seat belts. John and myself were both hit in the rear that day, both were probably due to cell phone distraction. In my case my rusted utility bumper received a littl...

I had to jump in here, but am currently in a MOUNTAIN of work, so quickly... Force drying the glue causes problems. The entire reason the glue works as a "tool" to pull off the glass is because it is basically not just a layer of glue but a mechanical device with different things happening...

Carelessly heating the glue without a candy thermometer and without a jacketed container (double boiler) invites the chance of killing the pulling power of the glue- Seriously! You can't stir the glue while it is in the microwave. If you are getting bubbles in the micro wave, even though it is not v...

Thank you for sharing a great family/business achieve.
Interesting to view the people, product, advertising and their progressive success.
Pat

Tempering the glass causes the molecules to compress thus hardening the surfaces. Tempered glass can be both acid etched and glue chipped, but because the surface has been altered, the outcome of either treatment in my experience is not as rewarding as when done on stock glass sheet. When chipping t...

Hey Dave, This quite possibly could be the man who cut the panels that are on the original Queen Mary. The figures are of a Greek flavor and executed similarly to the one in his hand. I wouldn't be surprised to find that exact panel residing on a wall of the dining room on board. The cutter of the Q...

Yup, he's a treasure! Makes you feel good doesn't It? I'm right on board. What's that glass size?
PS I'm taking lunch, back soon.
Pat

Bobbie, I have never met you, but now I understand what you are doing for this gentleman. I have enjoyed the opportunity of becoming close to special elder people like your friend. They are full of life's knowledge that only longevity can accumulate. They are often overlooked treasures in a world fo...

I have done my fair share of these antique flashed glass signs for the fronts of thread cabinets, signs like "bobbins", "needles" and thread categories. Back in those days it seems that manufactures went the extra distance to create a distinct look over settling for a simple deca...

I would love to do a test on the paint for lead residue or simply press the tip of an Exacto knife hard into the edge paint and watch closely whether it breaks bond or indents, indicating its freshness. As Mike said, I suspected they may have been produced in the sixties, or maybe even six days ago....

Thank you Kelly. I've been to their site before. It doesn't mention which side of the glass to heat, but it did mention applying "intense heat". I experienced some pretty good results in my trials, but I wouldn't say that I used intense heat. As soon as can get a chance, I'll try it again ...

Dave, Of course I had to try to duplicate the cutting that I had seen this man do when I returned back in my own shop. I did have some success using the torch to run the score in the glass, however I sure would like to know for sure were Exactly to apply the heat. AS in "behind the run, beside ...

I hope someday that somebody shows cutting techniques on some thick glass, say 3/8" up to 3/4". Thinner art glass is a good way to demonstrate in theory, but skill really matters most when thick glass is involved. Unfortunately years ago, I was only able to see the finished results of a hi...

Paint 'em now Abe paint 'em now!

Looks like repo work. The periods are hanging way out in space as if automatically kerned by a PC.
Pat

A man in our position has to be able to sing Battle Hymn of the Forum AND ol' Dixie with equal enthusiasm.
Hmmm, pleasuuure...
Sim Carstairs' the name, I don't believe I got yours...

You guys are cracking me up! This is just too good! Makes me wanna leaf 24/7, at least that's less than the 48/7 I've been sufferin'.
You make me KEEP the will to live! I log in stressed an' leave laughin'.
Pat

Yes Larry, I recognize that panel. They were depth etched and double chipped on 1/4" plate. I may still have the original camera films around here unless I returned them to the door company. All you would have to do is vector one quarter of the design and dupe it. Originally I had hand cut my m...

a railway car an' a herd o' buffalo

Twill

I received a request for 60 pieces of 48" diameter glass table tops ordered from Sydney Australia to be crated and shipped to South Africa from my shop in California. We e-mailed back and forth a few times and I asked a lot of questions and even suggested that he use a source more near his loca...

Having had the opportunity to receive a demonstration of the Smith tip from Dave himself it didn't take a second to realize the monetary savings impact this little tip device provides. Just trying to gild at the meet with an ordinary gilders tip while attendees were walking by my easel was greatly i...

Vance, You KNOW I'm interested but very limited currently clearing the jobs blocking my way to Hayward. I have been etching, carving and leafing more large scale Starphire panels this year. Multi stage carving them via photoresist. Love to discuss more in the near future and learn how to post pictur...

When well kept in its dry granular state it will probably last forever like an Egyptian artifact. Things that will cause it not to chip are things like overheating it, as well as applying it too thin or too thick. Another factor that can affect the chipping action is the preliminary dryness (water c...

Hi John, I read your original post just now, and ran through some of the replies only to see that it sadly ended with your stating that you would not be back. I was very sorry to see that! This is really a GOOD GROUP of skilled people, but a keyboard can make responses seem short if the words aren't...

Looks good Rod. It'll be great to hear how it affects the hits you get. Sites like Larry's and yours can only add to the interest in the rebirth of decorative glass signage.
Pat

David,
Another job well done, and I see that your apothecary sign is neatly residing in its lovely wooden frame. Nice!

Just don't put on the glue to thick or it can bend and break your glass.
Also if the glass is long or large, you might tape the corners down to the table. The glue may not pop if it is allowed to roll up the glass sheet.

I have always just used the "V" shaped foot. I never was informed of needing a different foot for a particular blade. It has always performed fine. I suppose you may get better performance by using a specified foot/blade arrangement, especially if the job requires that the components be op...