Search results

Yes, it can be amusing to hear people talk about the “correct” way to write a phone number. I have even been known to correct others on the placement of the hyphens used in US phone numbers. Most computer programs place them below vertical center. This is actually the default lower case...

Good description. The plastic surfaces are welded together. The chemical is not glue but a solvent—the solvent that is used in the manufacture of acrylic, I believe. The difference between No.3 and No.4 is speed. No.3 is faster. No.4 is considered "moderately" fast. I also agree with kgirl that...

These two products differ significantly. Heath, you do not say whether this sign will be interior or exterior. Ultra products are not intended to be used outdoors. But they are fine in interior applications. We have used them a little. If your sign is mounting to an inside lobby wall it will...

Okay, this post took (almost all) the words out of my mouth. Dang it. Yes, the www can serve as a visual cue. It makes the web address instantly recognizable as a web address. Is it necessary for comprehension? No. Is it required to reach the web address? No. Similarly, capitalizing the words...

Here are some more observations. My experience with bubbles is that they are often caused by introducing air into the film—such as when rolling with a foam roller sleeve. But I have also seen bubbles from brushing paint that has been over-reduced. Are the bubbles really bubbles—or separations...

Looks like a cool tool to me. I think you should get one. And get a panel saw, too. ;)

When I was in Arkansas I built two 10x20 double-sided lease boards on a state highway. I looked into unipole structures, but it would have taken me a long time to recoup my investment. As I recall, and this was many years ago, I priced "kits" from a company that ranged 6000-8000 in cost. The...

I don't know the size of the stand, but it holds banners sized 24"x69" if that tells you. Bossman wants two if you have them. Could you include shipping in your price? You want me to call you with a credit card? Brad

That is what we have been finding. All hooks.

We are looking for both replacement parts and new units, but we can't identify the maker. Brad in Kansas City

I have been corrected. Alcohol is not a hydrocarbon, but a derivative of a hydrocarbon. Hydrocarbons contain only hydrogen and carbon. Alcohols have in addition a "hydroxyl group," which is a hydrogen atom bonded to an oxygen atom. So...hydrogen, carbon and oxygen in lots of varying combinations...

There are many alcohols. They are hydrocarbon molecules. Three commonly used alcohols are also among the simplest molecularly. Methanol, methyl alcohol, is the simplest. It is highly toxic and has little use in the sign industry, though it is inexpensive. It is commonly used as an antifreeze...

I agree that scuffing a surface helps the bond of an adhesive, just as it helps paint to stick. I'll add that when I sand PVC for painting, I do not merely rub it by hand with a red Scotchbrite. Though I have seen others do this and get away with it, especially on an interior sign, I have also...

DerbyCitySignGuy, Send Johhny some Legos. That'll teach him.:) Seriously, though, many letterers started their careers on walls. It can be a forgiving surface. Speaking of Legos... Has anyone seen the rhinoceros made of Legos at the Minneapolis Institute of Art? At least, I think that's where I...

Before computers, many shops were able to do jobs like this in one trip. Most would use paint, of course. The job started by taping pattern paper to the side of the boat. Lettering was then sketched (or sometimes painted) onto the paper and perforated on site to produce a pounce pattern. Every...

Years ago, when I had to achieve a washed out look, I simply added clear to the lettering colors. As I recall, One Shot had a clear. I may have used Smith's Cream also. It was long ago. I would not use oil based lettering colors on bricks these days. They don't hold up very well. An acrylic...

It may be worth doing as a learning experience. Especially if the boss sees the time and effort required.

True, Interstate Highway signs are reflective on reflective. You will also note that the letter spacing on these signs is wide for increased legibility. This is to counter the effect of "halation." A letter that is lighted, or that glows, increases in size visually. The light glow tends to blur...

cbowles, I have made hundreds of replacement faces for channel letters over the last 44 years. As others have mentioned, hand cutting is best and quickest in this case. Trying to use the router will take lots of time and the result may be unusable without further hand work. Sometimes, someone...

You're right, Sandman. PVC is hard to find and expensive in thicknesses greater than 25mm. We are not often asked to produce cutout graphics in 1-1/2" or greater, but when we are, we laminate panels together. 1-1/2" would be about the equivalent of three 12mm sheets. We also frequently use...