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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 160 matches

by pat mackle
Fri Oct 02, 2015 11:10 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Copper backing Thickness
Replies: 2
Views: 3094

Re: Copper backing Thickness

I think to achieve any copper deposit thicker than using dissimilar metals to deposit the copper will require electrical current. At some point, past depositing a thin

smooth copper layer, you will begin to see nodules of copper begin to form.
by pat mackle
Tue Jun 30, 2015 5:14 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Intentionally Yellowing Silver
Replies: 17
Views: 14968

Re: Intentionally Yellowing Silver

I don't know the exact time when Rick was making these. It seems to me he was making these center mirrored sections and also the painted horse pictorials bordering the wheels several years before he began the Esoteric Supply section in his shop. And I seem to recall him giving me this piece only a f...
by pat mackle
Tue Jun 30, 2015 2:11 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Intentionally Yellowing Silver
Replies: 17
Views: 14968

Re: Intentionally Yellowing Silver

Hi Kevin,
Here is a photo of the H.C. Evans mirror section I mentioned in the above post.
by pat mackle
Wed Jun 24, 2015 4:43 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Intentionally Yellowing Silver
Replies: 17
Views: 14968

Re: Intentionally Yellowing Silver

Hi Kevin,
I can post a photo if I can buy an AV cord or a card adapter for my little cheapie camera. My good camera died and I don't own an IPhone.
Other than that I could try to scan part of the piece, but scanner mirror could be a trick.
by pat mackle
Fri Jun 19, 2015 11:21 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Intentionally Yellowing Silver
Replies: 17
Views: 14968

Re: Intentionally Yellowing Silver

Hi Robare, Thank you for exacting out the true information on the distinction between H.C. Evans as opposed to Rawson and Evans. I must admit that I did not do some simple research to see if "this" H.C. Evans joined up with Mr. Rawson. I think I have simply taken it for granted since the m...
by pat mackle
Thu Jun 11, 2015 1:13 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Intentionally Yellowing Silver
Replies: 17
Views: 14968

Re: Intentionally Yellowing Silver

Hi Kevin, hope every thing good with you. I mentioned mirroring because the beginning post described a yellowing mirror that he wanted to match. And because many of these old gambling wheels employed decorated mirror shapes mounted in ornate metal castings as the center point of the colorful hand pa...
by pat mackle
Wed Jun 10, 2015 6:45 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Intentionally Yellowing Silver
Replies: 17
Views: 14968

Re: Intentionally Yellowing Silver

You might actually be better off if you could find a small piece of heavily leaded glass sheet like those used in X Ray rooms. The heavy lead content give that glass a light yellow tint. Other than that it is trial and error to get it to match well, like in Kevin's suggestion of tinting with varnish...
by pat mackle
Wed Jun 10, 2015 6:39 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Intentionally Yellowing Silver
Replies: 17
Views: 14968

Re: Intentionally Yellowing Silver

You might actually be better off if you could find a small piece of heavily leaded glass sheet like those used in X Ray rooms. The heavy lead content give that glass a light yellow tint. Other than that it is trial and error to get it to match well, like in Kevin's suggestion of tinting with varnish...
by pat mackle
Wed Jun 10, 2015 10:56 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Intentionally Yellowing Silver
Replies: 17
Views: 14968

Re: Intentionally Yellowing Silver

Sounds to me like the yellow cast IS in fact that earlier glass which was more yellow green AND I might bet that the original Rawson Evans glass is 5/16" in thickness as well. So it is different in color and thickness, over the common 1/4" green glass made today with more iron in it. I'm n...
by pat mackle
Tue Jun 09, 2015 12:13 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Intentionally Yellowing Silver
Replies: 17
Views: 14968

Re: Intentionally Yellowing Silver

I am a little bit suspicious on this yellowing you speak of. I guess it depends on just how yellow this mirroring appears. I have never seen silvering become yellow in tarnishing. Especially if the mirroring has an even tone of yellow on all of the pieces. Generally speaking all of the gambling whee...
by pat mackle
Sat Apr 11, 2015 11:12 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Bubbling on reverse glass gold jobs
Replies: 6
Views: 8418

Re: Bubbling on reverse glass gold jobs

Without my speaking to a NazDar representative, I have found that I can thin the 59000 series with either lacquer thinner, mineral spirits, or naptha. It seems to dry fastest when thinned with lacquer thinner and still retains its strong adhesion and glossy film strength qualities. Would be good to ...
by pat mackle
Thu Apr 09, 2015 12:11 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Decorative Glass Processes...
Replies: 18
Views: 15255

Re: Decorative Glass Processes...

I have just launched my NEW web site. Unlike my older site of which I had no control of adding new photos or text, the new site gives me complete control. There is a bit of a learning curve ahead for me, but it will be fun and rewarding. This change in having more control over my site could not have...
by pat mackle
Fri Feb 27, 2015 7:48 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Pock marks in matte centers
Replies: 30
Views: 50888

Re: Pock marks in matte centers

The bubbles would not necessarily go to the edges. Even if the matte gold area was an inch or more wide, the bubbles may not go to the very edge, but stop around the same distance back. The bubble failure appears to happen where there is only an ample amount of gold size surrounding the bubbles, as ...
by pat mackle
Fri Feb 27, 2015 6:14 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Pock marks in matte centers
Replies: 30
Views: 50888

Re: Pock marks in matte centers

Hi Andrew. I read your post. The way I read it says that you have a system that works fine with no problems, and you can go from start to finish on reasonably sized jobs in a day. This is good to know. The original issue here I based my input on is the action of combining gold size from different ma...
by pat mackle
Fri Feb 27, 2015 2:03 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Pock marks in matte centers
Replies: 30
Views: 50888

Re: Pock marks in matte centers

Here's my spin on that One Shot gold size again with another observance. When I have had to remove the One Shot to start over on a gild, I have found that I gets weird and "cheesy" when solvents are once again in contact with it. LaFranc used only by itself will seem to redissolve, but the...
by pat mackle
Fri Feb 27, 2015 2:09 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Pock marks in matte centers
Replies: 30
Views: 50888

Re: Pock marks in matte centers

I quit using the One Shot quick size for gilding, but I did not trash it. Instead I found that if I add a little bit to One Shot Paints, that it "opens up" the paint and makes it dry faster. Especially the Black lettering enamel. Do an experiment for yourself and see if you get faster dryi...
by pat mackle
Thu Feb 26, 2015 2:19 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Pock marks in matte centers
Replies: 30
Views: 50888

Re: Pock marks in matte centers

I think the base of the problem is that you mixed One Shot and LaFranc together. I have worked with them separately and they are two different animals. The One Shot seems like it is some sort of synthetic mixture. Just noting the way it skins in the can seems odd. I would almost bet that there is no...
by pat mackle
Thu Feb 26, 2015 4:51 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Pock marks in matte centers
Replies: 30
Views: 50888

Re: Pock marks in matte centers

What was the brand of size you used, and what was the working(open) time?
What paint did you use to back up over the size?
How long after you burnished the gold did you back it up?
by pat mackle
Tue Feb 17, 2015 3:22 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Lettering on corrugated metal
Replies: 4
Views: 6425

Re: Lettering on corrugated metal

Now that I see that the copy is following the corrugated lines, I will correct my message to say typeset the letters, and then stretch their height, not their width.
You are on your own about the clients disdain for brush strokes of hand lettering. lol
by pat mackle
Fri Feb 13, 2015 2:36 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Lettering on corrugated metal
Replies: 4
Views: 6425

Re: Lettering on corrugated metal

Let me hazard a guess as to how I might attempt this. Typeset the letters. Then stretch the font a bit side to side to widen the face(because when you press the pattern into the valleys the font will appear compressed). Print the pattern onto white butcher paper. Spray the back side with low tack ru...
by pat mackle
Sun Jan 04, 2015 2:54 pm
Forum: Hand Lettering Gallery
Topic: Masterpiece Signs of the World (Images & Addresses)
Replies: 29
Views: 33640

Re: Masterpiece Signs of the World (Images & Addresses)

Hi Doug,
Sad to think that some of these pubs are going away in the name of progress. Such a loss.
Thank you very greatly for posting these treasures of your travels and sharing them with those who really appreciate
all the skills that created them so long ago. I tip my hat to you mate!
by pat mackle
Sun Jan 04, 2015 2:54 pm
Forum: Hand Lettering Gallery
Topic: Masterpiece Signs of the World (Images & Addresses)
Replies: 29
Views: 79973

Re: Masterpiece Signs of the World (Images & Addresses)

Hi Doug,
Sad to think that some of these pubs are going away in the name of progress. Such a loss.
Thank you very greatly for posting these treasures of your travels and sharing them with those who really appreciate
all the skills that created them so long ago. I tip my hat to you mate!
by pat mackle
Wed Dec 03, 2014 2:49 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: De-lamination?
Replies: 15
Views: 14135

Re: De-lamination?

Hi Robare, Funny that you brought this up. I have been doing a lot of brush painting of acid resist onto glass, and became aware of just how much it takes to clean a brush completely. Oh, the exposed hairs clean up relatively fast, but the material in the heel, that area deep in the hair bundle with...
by pat mackle
Tue Nov 25, 2014 12:36 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: De-lamination?
Replies: 15
Views: 14135

Re: De-lamination?

Hi Will, The over lap of paint was what I suspected. That was why I asked if you hand painted or screen printed. And why I had asked if the bubbles appeared only in a strip, as I suspected the second back up paint would only go far enough to cover the leaf and not to the original edge of the black o...
by pat mackle
Mon Nov 24, 2014 11:35 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: De-lamination?
Replies: 15
Views: 14135

Re: De-lamination?

Hi Will, I was out in the shop burning screens and thinking about your situation. The thought occurred as to whether or not you added any hardener to your black back up. And, to how long or well you mixed it into the back up. Any missed back up that did not mix well may cause problems. I always scra...
by pat mackle
Mon Nov 24, 2014 8:27 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: De-lamination?
Replies: 15
Views: 14135

Re: De-lamination?

Did you screen print the back up paint, or hand letter it on? It's a little hard to see, but I think I see bubbles only mid way across (looking like strips of fine bubbles) in the black painted out line. The bubbles only appear to be nearer the gold leaf line. Is this true what I see? Or do the bubb...
by pat mackle
Fri Oct 17, 2014 12:41 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Spinning goldleaf
Replies: 6
Views: 10660

Re: Spinning goldleaf

Hi Erik, I'm thinking several things could play a part. Without actually seeing this problem first hand, I will say this. I cannot see first hand the quality or texture of the velvet you have in hand. I have used both velvet and velour fabrics with good success. I like to use them as a round disc sh...
by pat mackle
Tue Sep 16, 2014 6:24 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Mike Reilley
Replies: 4
Views: 4407

Re: Mike Reilley

Sorry to here this news. I never met this man, but sorry to see him go just the same. Hooray for those who promote the craft.
by pat mackle
Mon Aug 25, 2014 3:09 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Smith Tip or Glass
Replies: 2
Views: 2969

Re: Smith Tip or Glass

what are you charging your tip with to attract the leaf? Maybe you need to change it, or use much less.
by pat mackle
Sun Jul 06, 2014 12:45 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Thinking of venturing into the sandblasted sign business and
Replies: 7
Views: 6095

Do not breathe compressor air directly!

I would hope that people know this already but I've come across several who did not, and that is DO NOT breathe the air from your compressor UNLESS you pass that air through a PROPER charcoal air purifier. AND be sure to change the charcoal as needed. Breathing air directly for an air compressor lub...