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.
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 337 matches
- Wed Jan 26, 2011 1:52 pm
- Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
- Topic: Traditional carved ribbon sternboard
- Replies: 3
- Views: 2419
Traditional carved ribbon sternboard
Nothing facy here.....two layers of 1" HDU, hand carved, gilded about 48" long finished with latex. If there is any interest, I took a lot of step x step photos I could post. http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll131/jmakinchips/004-6.jpg http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll131/jmakinchips...
- Thu Jan 20, 2011 4:44 pm
- Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
- Topic: Little Birdie
- Replies: 7
- Views: 3765
Re: Little Birdie
Anthony,
Different brands and weights are different colors. I use the Duna brand, 20lb (per cubic ft.).
Their 15lb. is green.
The 20lb is about $260+ for a 4x8. I charge about $20 per sq. foot.....there's a little profit in there
Joe
Different brands and weights are different colors. I use the Duna brand, 20lb (per cubic ft.).
Their 15lb. is green.
The 20lb is about $260+ for a 4x8. I charge about $20 per sq. foot.....there's a little profit in there
Joe
- Thu Jan 20, 2011 2:05 pm
- Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
- Topic: Little Birdie
- Replies: 7
- Views: 3765
Re: Little Birdie
Anthony,
The top photo is the HDU from Duna.....20 lb. All the shots are of the same piece.
Joe
The top photo is the HDU from Duna.....20 lb. All the shots are of the same piece.
Joe
- Thu Jan 20, 2011 1:24 pm
- Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
- Topic: Little Birdie
- Replies: 7
- Views: 3765
Re: Little Birdie finished
12"x30", HDU with latex finish. The bird is in a 5" circle.
Joe
Joe
- Wed Jan 19, 2011 3:31 pm
- Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
- Topic: Little Birdie
- Replies: 7
- Views: 3765
Re: Little Birdie.....painted
Here he is all painted up.
Joe,
Makin Chip$ and Havin Fun!
Joe,
Makin Chip$ and Havin Fun!
- Sun Jan 16, 2011 9:19 pm
- Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
- Topic: Little Birdie
- Replies: 7
- Views: 3765
Little Birdie
I haven't posted a project in a while, so here's a little one. The last time I used this motif was on a "Farm" sign for TV/Movie actor Robert Montgomery in 1981. He was a big collector of world championship bird carvings. His was a lot bigger than this......this is 5" in dia. and abou...
- Mon Aug 16, 2010 1:37 pm
- Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
- Topic: Acrylic Siding Stain on HDU??
- Replies: 1
- Views: 1691
Acrylic Siding Stain on HDU??
I'm planning on using a 100% acrylic siding stain on HDU to match an existing sign system (all made from wood). http://www.cabotstain.com/products/product/Solid-Color-Acrylic-Siding-Stain.html?productTypeName=Staining Products I'm thinking..... "No Problem!". Any thoughts or suggestions wi...
- Wed Jul 14, 2010 7:34 pm
- Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
- Topic: Good to be back
- Replies: 17
- Views: 9978
Re: Good to be back
Both are real beauties!!! Jeff, did you use wood or HDU? I would think that would make a huge difference, Some day I'm going to put together a sample of the rear lit/light reflecting/neon look/whatever it was that I showed you at Atlantic City a few years back. THAT would be totally over the top.......
- Wed Jul 14, 2010 7:26 pm
- Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
- Topic: gold & glass monument
- Replies: 13
- Views: 8547
Re: gold & glass monument
I'm amazed!!!!
Where do you guys EVER come up with such great shapes for your signs???
Wonderfull job.....nice to have a great support team as well.
Joe
Where do you guys EVER come up with such great shapes for your signs???
Wonderfull job.....nice to have a great support team as well.
Joe
- Wed Jul 07, 2010 7:08 pm
- Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
- Topic: Xacto knife blades
- Replies: 5
- Views: 3293
Re: Xacto knife blades
Just a short quip here.................
Thank you for not insulting real knives by calling this tool an X-ACTO Knife.
They are X-ACTO'S...............just X-ACTO'S.
Joe
Thank you for not insulting real knives by calling this tool an X-ACTO Knife.
They are X-ACTO'S...............just X-ACTO'S.
Joe
- Wed Jun 30, 2010 5:33 pm
- Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
- Topic: What are friends for ?
- Replies: 11
- Views: 5633
Re: What are friends for ?
I'm sorta in this situation right now......it's happened before but it is rare. I was asked to design and price a sign for a rather large animal hospital and their feed and gift shop. It's a larger (size wise) sign that I am no longer comfortable making. Soooooo, I go into town to the "real&quo...
- Tue Jun 22, 2010 5:28 pm
- Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
- Topic: Quills
- Replies: 9
- Views: 6514
Re: Quills
I know some guys use heat shrink tubing.....
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heat-shrink_tubing
Get it at auto stores or Radio Shack?
Joe
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heat-shrink_tubing
Get it at auto stores or Radio Shack?
Joe
- Fri Jun 18, 2010 8:06 am
- Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
- Topic: Handpainting tradition of Bavarian and Tirolan houses
- Replies: 8
- Views: 4900
- Fri Jun 18, 2010 7:53 am
- Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
- Topic: Back to Traditional Signs
- Replies: 7
- Views: 5422
Re: Back to Traditional Signs
Andrew, Like Doug, I never made the big switch to computers and CNC's. I've been fortunate to have maintained my place in the market despite the wave of technology around me. People see and know the difference mostly because I keep it in front of them. Education, here, is probably the key. Education...
- Thu May 27, 2010 4:30 pm
- Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
- Topic: Clear for a carved Teak boat name panel??
- Replies: 8
- Views: 5080
Re: Clear for a carved Teak boat name panel??
Teak is tricky because of it's oils.
This is as good advise as there is.....esp last 2 paragraphs.
http://www.essortment.com/hobbies/finis ... a_sezk.htm
Joe
This is as good advise as there is.....esp last 2 paragraphs.
http://www.essortment.com/hobbies/finis ... a_sezk.htm
Joe
- Tue May 11, 2010 8:23 am
- Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
- Topic: Mahogany School Crest
- Replies: 4
- Views: 3055
Mahogany School Crest
Here is one of the two crests that I asked pricing guidance on a couple of months ago. 20" in diameter circle. The Trojan is 13" high and 1/2" thick. http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll131/jmakinchips/005.jpg http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll131/jmakinchips/010.jpg The two took ...
- Wed Apr 28, 2010 5:25 pm
- Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
- Topic: Two Questions ($$)
- Replies: 8
- Views: 5548
Re: Two Questions ($$)
The"economy" in this area is still pretty slow. It has however weeded out the lowballers and the FBN'ers. The sign business, however, is just dandy! (This info is based on the "real" sign shop in town. :wink: ) My carving business has been quite steady and as every spring arrives...
- Sat Mar 27, 2010 7:46 am
- Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
- Topic: "Day Job".......Brookie
- Replies: 3
- Views: 2197
"Day Job".......Brookie
Here is a mirror frame, 14"x17" eastern white pine. All hand carved, stained with oil stains.........no sanding on the carving. Four hours in the carving and two on the staining. It's cleared with a semi-gloss laquer. It was commisioned by a good customer/collector for an auction at a pret...
- Thu Mar 18, 2010 1:38 pm
- Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
- Topic: Gilding on Sand Blasted Foam
- Replies: 17
- Views: 8313
Re: Gilding on Sand Blasted Foam
OK, I'll try to keep this simple.... I don't have a problem with drying. Each board is on a shelf with plenty of space between each piece. The shelves even have an open grill pattern so all sides of the piece are exposed to drying. I posted the question as a logical final step to the methods describ...
- Thu Mar 18, 2010 12:29 pm
- Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
- Topic: Gilding on Sand Blasted Foam
- Replies: 17
- Views: 8313
Re: Gilding on Sand Blasted Foam
Thanks Robare, Unlike your friend, I'm quite anal about reading directions.....usually to a fault. I'm also quite production oriented so I get irritated when I find myself wasting time.......not impatient tho. If it takes 3 hours or 3 days....no problem but I'm not going to wait 3 days when only 3 h...
- Thu Mar 18, 2010 7:57 am
- Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
- Topic: Gilding on Sand Blasted Foam
- Replies: 17
- Views: 8313
Re: Gilding on Sand Blasted Foam
Kent, Could you please give me some guidence on drying times. I know they can vary widley depending on conditions. Is there a technique that can be employed universally to determine when each coat is dried properly? Is there an ideal combination of temprature and air movement along with humidity? Th...
- Thu Mar 11, 2010 5:41 pm
- Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
- Topic: Price increase after 7 years???
- Replies: 12
- Views: 6439
Re: Price increase after 7 years???
And who might be that router owner?
Aside from doing the 3D programing, this might be a bit of a trick to do this lettering.......it goes slightly up on the inside of the curve near the edge....the lettering might get a little chubby in that area
Joe
Aside from doing the 3D programing, this might be a bit of a trick to do this lettering.......it goes slightly up on the inside of the curve near the edge....the lettering might get a little chubby in that area
Joe
- Thu Mar 11, 2010 3:16 pm
- Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
- Topic: Gilding on Sand Blasted Foam
- Replies: 17
- Views: 8313
Re: Gilding on Sand Blasted Foam
Jim, Assuming you are talking HDU, prime first wit a high build primer, usually laytex. Sand between coats....2 or 3 may be necessary. Also, make sure the surface is dust free first.....gotta get all the dust outa the pores or the paint won't stick. Two or three topcoats of either laytex or oil pain...
- Thu Mar 11, 2010 2:57 pm
- Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
- Topic: Price increase after 7 years???
- Replies: 12
- Views: 6439
Re: Price increase after 7 years??? Update
I recieved the 50% deposit this afternoon. I decided to go for a 25% increase.... $1,500 each. I checked what gold cost me then and it was $375. I checked my wood pile and I have enough mahogany already in stock. I also found my cost to "clean up" the copy.....$150. That's still on file so...
- Mon Mar 01, 2010 3:17 pm
- Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
- Topic: Price increase after 7 years???
- Replies: 12
- Views: 6439
Re: Price increase after 7 years???
Thanks everyone for the input. It was $2,400 for the pair and I was OK with that. The only materials were about 12 bf of mahogany and a little leaf. Even if i double those costs, we're lookin at $60 increase (I have a wholesale source for the mahogany). Last time, I paid someone to "clean up&qu...
- Mon Mar 01, 2010 12:14 pm
- Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
- Topic: Price increase after 7 years???
- Replies: 12
- Views: 6439
Re: Price increase after 7 years???
Thanks Danny! It is for the same customer and I also made 2 the last time. Both took less than a week to make. They are 22" in dia. x 1" thick (mahogany), made in 2 parts.....the circle and soldier. This time, It will go quicker cause I still have all the patterns. The guy I'm dealing with...
- Mon Mar 01, 2010 10:02 am
- Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
- Topic: Price increase after 7 years???
- Replies: 12
- Views: 6439
Price increase after 7 years???
Did this one in '03.
I charged $1,200 then. In your opinion, what would be a fair increase after 7 years.
BTW, I don't have to compete for this job......no cut-rate carvers in my area.
Thanks,
Joe
I charged $1,200 then. In your opinion, what would be a fair increase after 7 years.
BTW, I don't have to compete for this job......no cut-rate carvers in my area.
Thanks,
Joe
- Wed Feb 24, 2010 11:01 am
- Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
- Topic: Sign Painters in North Carolina
- Replies: 7
- Views: 4635
Re: Sign Painters in North Carolina
Here's a thread about a meet in South carolina. I know a lot of very talented painters will be there.......well worth the trip from anywhere.
http://www.letterville.com/ubb/ultimate ... 54811.html
Joe,
http://www.letterville.com/ubb/ultimate ... 54811.html
Joe,
- Wed Jan 20, 2010 7:10 pm
- Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
- Topic: Lincoln Highway mural number 3 . . . Oregon, IL
- Replies: 9
- Views: 5243
Re: Lincoln Highway mural number 3 . . . Oregon, IL
Aside from the excellent composition and colors, I always love it when an element or two "leave" the frame.....very powerfull.
Keep up the excellent work and thanks for sharing.
Joe,
Keep up the excellent work and thanks for sharing.
Joe,
- Sat Jan 09, 2010 7:34 pm
- Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
- Topic: Lincoln Highway mural project #2 . . . Joliet IL
- Replies: 5
- Views: 2775
Re: Lincoln Highway mural project #2 . . . Joliet IL
Love it Jay and Bill!!!
Hope you can fix the typo.......
Joe
Hope you can fix the typo.......
Joe