Would you believe....have been looking into buying a used one as of late.....my old boss(of 20 yrs.) has one am sure has not seen use in a more years than that. It was used extensively for doing cut-outs for movie/theatre posters and such in those "great days". And yes....I am, just a litt...

Yah!...packing rodent are my two middle names...have cool glass jars from 30 years ago and even a few old whiskey bottles pulled from the floor boards of an old house I renovated as a plumbers assistant several years before I became a "sign painters" helper.....all the letterheads memorabi...

Hi Dan....thanx a heap here....printed out Bill's formula, as supplied, as had always "intended" to take it down and never did! Sort of like Tommy's video of the "Boss". Everyone said that "someone" should video tape Rick in the shop just talking and walking arround the...

I have a horror story too...was on the last leg of a big job...carved pieces....painted pieces and 2 glass pieces. One was a little over 5'x5' and was the first to get started. Was in '01 as I remember and was getting ready for a week off to LA and a little meet at Dave McDonalds just up the coast. ...

just a quick P.S. After reading back I should add that a number of tools in the shop are duplicates because they are used so much and often wanted by different ppl at the same time.... a 5/12 for instance. The one that is 10 years old is only a fraction shorter than the brand new one. This was manag...

Hi Mike and Joe, I wouldn't worry about safety here and yes mine turns down. When re-grinding gouges I have my hand set to the right on the tool rest and watch as it occurs, you know...reflections on the edge etc etc......for fine tuning so to speak with a finer grit...like 500 or 1200 belts i do ho...

Hi again Joe and all, http://www.leevalley.com/images/item/woodworking/sharpening/68z7501s1.jpg I found this on the Lee Valley Site http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.asp?SID=&ccurrency=2&page=44884&category=1,43072 and is the set up I have. The sander was cheap at least 10 years ago, an...

A quick P.S.

Don't forget to coat both surfaces well....just read a little further down to Ron's post and reminded me

Gosh...this mixture worked great for me right from the beginning and yes, it was Rick's mixture...the bulletin spar was his adjustment. I have used it quite a few times for adhering canvas and did pretty much the same as Larry has mentioned. Rick used to apply it upside down and that NEVER worked fo...

I have a photo of Dave Smith using this technique. Will find it and forward to Mike. A picture is worth.....

Hi Mike and Joe...yes thats the belt sander I have on the left. The belt turns from top to bottom (direction) and have 3 belts for it, 120 grit ,500 grit and 1200grit. I should get something to hold the tool in the place for it when grinding parting tools. It's really the only system I've used. What...

Hi Joe....would love to talk sharpening and the art in general...will do some checking to see if it can be done. Am busy with something big right now.....and have a small wookshop I give every year at a local woodworking school. Unfortunately these all seem to happen this month coming! For me sharpe...

Or...Try painting on canvas and then use the 1/3 1/3 1/3 mixture to adhere it to inside of glass. Have several pieces in high traffic areas that are still fine using this!......just in case 1/3 damar varnish 1/3 resin gel 1/3 bulletin spar or quick rubbing varnish

Hi again Joe...yes gizmo...or might have called it a "fancy rig" with same intent...a little humour and a question together. Would love to be reminded of which month(s) the article appeared so's I'm better prepared for next time. Myself I have a system from LeeValley that has worked out we...

Hi Roderick, I think for a blade sign it would be fine. I might be concerned if it was an 8'x8' blade sign as it is also incredibly heavy. Would also go for 3/4 inch. Does this require dimensional elements....that is the only real value above overlayed plywood.....and besides, the jury is still out ...

Hi Joe...read the article in sign biz with interest last year or so but would love to hear how you grind gouges on that "gizmo" of yours. Can see how it would be terrific for plane and even jointer blades but a gouge might be a pretty tricky customer?

In the last few years I had also been very involved in laying pearl in the methods described above by Rick. On our last conversations about this topic he (as have I) started using frog juice as the adhesive. The damar rubbing varnishes are authentic to the period for sure, and do the job just fine, ...

Hi Roderick...have heard of it and have used it. The support sheets (product info) seemed good to me and have followed them to a "T"...sure was easy to use. Time will tell just how good it is but my "spidey senses" tell me it's good!

Hi Joe and Rick...I also have heard the discussions on hollow grind and the change of angle for hard versus softwoods. From what the cabinet makers say...hollow ground is the way and a blunter angle used for hard woods is supposed to conserve the edge.....although looking at that beautiful "R&q...

Hi all and Goldie, Just before I began my apprenticeship I bought one of those aluminum mahl sticks, left my home town and came to Ottawa to learn to be a signwriter. Sho-cards was always what I wanted to do, as an early mentor in my home town was that and ... good at it. I really wanted to do TV wo...

Hi Goldie and all, I also was just getting into the sign biz when his name (Cunningham's) was being touted by one of the guys in the shop (I was in), Paul Schwaylk. Paul was a top notch guy and had a small business on the side....and got the trade mags. This is really the first I remember of seeing ...

So I'm NOT alone here. Harry's words are very comforting! Have had that tingle/numbness for quite a while now and started when I was using too small a brush for a few months. I think they were out of my usual size 4 and substituted some #3's. ... ferrule was way to small...anywho, am glad or should ...

Hi John,
have done this many times and no probs. Just letter away!

Just a quick aside....there are some great "no load" sand papers available. The green or very fine...probably 250 grit that Dan Seese referred to are especially wonderful if wet sanding. I'm still hooked on the oil primers and follow the old rules...2 primers (sand in between all coatings)...

Another quick aside....the etching creme can easily be used with just a vinyl mask....once you DO get into the hydrofluoric remember also there is another side to the thing and make sure the fumes don't get at it...have enjoyed this thread Goldie!
Till later

Asphaltum....end of story! Just paint in or print all the arae's to be left clear. It DOES get interesting when you start to do all the different types of acid etching...white acid deep...and mica! Look forward to seeing the results!