I see that a lot of people build their own grain frames for blasting. I was wondering if I could see some close up's and have some details on their construction, such as wire diameter and tension. Thanks in advance for any input.
Posted by Dan Sawatzky (Member # 88) on :
I don't use a grain frame... but welcome to Letterville!
-grampa dan
Posted by Raymond Chapman (Member # 361) on :
Like Dan said...welcome. Since you are new here, you will see his photo a lot - and be prepared to hear a bunch of stories about his granddaughter.
We bought a Grain Fraim, wore it out, and bought another one. I thought about building my own, but would have spent a lot more in time than I spent in money just buying one outright.
There are some really neat ones that folks here have built. I'm sure they will chime in with photos of what they have done.
Good luck.
Posted by Steve Thomas Greer (Member # 4566) on :
why buy a grain frame use some smooth a create some funky textures?
Posted by Raymond Chapman (Member # 361) on :
Eric - since you have only one post here you might as well get used to the list of "characters" that hang out here.
Steve is one of them. He's trying to sell you something. And don't let him scare you. He's about 9 feet tall but is harmless in person.
Posted by Steve Thomas Greer (Member # 4566) on :
Hey Chapman.....
Posted by Bobbie Rochow (Member # 3341) on :
I know you can make your own Grain Frame, but I have layed lines of hot glue across the front, & even making some broken, then (lay them on after you lay the mask on) blast it. Peel the mask & glue off, & there you are! Try it on a practice piece, you might like it!
Posted by Mark M. Kottwitz (Member # 1764) on :
Cool idea, Bobbie.
I have a neighbor that wants a small sign, and I thought about doing a sandblasted sign for her. I think I am going to give that a shot.
I had thought about some square tubing and stretch some steel wire across to create the grain, but my luck, I would make it and then have someone that wants a sign 6" larger than I make it.
Posted by Eric McDowell (Member # 6857) on :
In the step by step section of the website there is a picture of the "redneck homemade grain frame" under Blasting pre painted HDU panels, I am hoping for some close up pictures and details on the construction. I will have to try the hot glue trick sometime. Hoping to do some expirementing on extira. Any input on that?
Posted by Ken Holden (Member # 5653) on :
Mark, wrap nylon string around the sign, the kind that doesn't stretch. blast and remove.
Although I use a homemade grain frame, my cousin uses this method successfully.
Ken
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
Here's how I built mine...it's at my buddy's shop, so I drew one quickly instead of taking a photo....hope this makes sense.
And a close-up of the "floater" tensioner piece at the top: Posted by David Harding (Member # 108) on :
Welcome to Letterville, Eric. Greer isn't really nine feet tall, but since Chapman is only about two feet eight, he appears that big to him. Greer's still big enough that you definitely want him on your side. Wellsville is 150 miles from Ayr, Ontario, which is about a half dozen steps for Mr. Greer... so you'd better pony up for a 5 gallon tub of his magic sculpt.
Posted by Eric McDowell (Member # 6857) on :
Thanks for the illustration Todd it's exactly what I am looking for. What is the diameter of the wire that you are using? Is it regular steel wire.
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
I don't remember exactly....my dad had a bunch of spools of wire...I think they might have been for electrical fences - you know, for cow enclosures or something. But they can take some stretching without breaking.
Something fairly heavy because you need to have some girth there to resist the blast to get the effect.
Maybe I can get a picture of the unit itself in the next few days if I get over that way (where it's been stored).
Posted by Deri Russell (Member # 119) on :
Hi Eric- we just used regular electrical wire we bought from the local hardware store (or you can get it from an electrician). It's covered in plastic. And you do eventually blast through the covering plastic. But I have only had to replace the wire twice and I have been blasting with it for 8 years or better. I also use different weights of wire, makes it look a "little" more realistic. It sits outside in the rain and the snow and the weather. And rusts. But that doesn't matter it does it's job. I also cut 2 or 3" pieces and wrap it around the wires here and there, generally in a stratigic spot so it doesn't interupt (gosh I'm horrible at spelling) any type lines too badly, to make "knots". And it does look just like Todd's illustration, (but rustier). My frame is 4 ft wide by 30" or so high. If I am blasting something larger I block out the one end with a piece of old tin that sits out beside the blaster and move the frame over to the next spot.
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
Deri - That's awesome! I never thought about knotting some wire or wrapping small sections of wire with another wire for a more uneven, knotty look.
I'm going to try that on my next piece, which is upcoming...thanks for the tip. Posted by Mike Faig (Member # 6104) on :
Extira works fine as far as I've seen. I blasted some smaller signs for a customera couple of weeks ago. The particles are of uneven size and texture so they do leave an uneven surface. I liked the effect. If it weren't so heavy...
Posted by Wayne Webb (Member # 1124) on :
Wow Todd! Nice!!
I used stainless steel MIG welding wire on my first one. Tried to use "wearing out the wire" as an excuse, to build a bigger/better frame, but the cottonpicking wire would not wear out. I've blasted bookoodles of signs with it and it won' wear out... But I finally built an 8'x2.5' one anyway, for doing big signs. I will most likely retire before the wire wears out on either of them.
Posted by Checkers (Member # 63) on :
I didn't want to say anything negative about Todd's design, but that type of frame gives the blast a somewhat mechanical look. Using Deri's approach gives a much more natural look. If you can find an old metal spring bed frame, half the battle of fabricating the frame is done. All you have to do is wire it up.
Havin' fun,
Checkers
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
Thanks Wayne...actually, I wish I had an 8 foot one....the one I made is maybe 4 foot long...I think. I haven't used it in quite a while...but will be real soon.
I have to do some blasting and then scootch the frame sideways to get the bigger stuff done....an 8 footer would be nicer for sure.
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
Checkers...no offense taken.
One thing the mechanical illustration doesn't show...my wires are all bent and kinked up...so it does end up giving a varied grain look.
They aren't all straight lines in other-words..
I went along and physically bent the wires randomly to get a more natural look....still, I like Deri's idea....
Posted by Blake Koehn (Member # 5984) on :
If it wasn't for Sawatsky, Chapman, and Greer I would get bored now and then. lol
Posted by Ricky Jackson (Member # 5082) on :
Heck, I've got one of the big ones from Grain Fraim that I'll *give* to the first person that asks that's coming to the Dixie meet. Just make sure you're not flying home! I never use it and it needs re-stringing. A little WD-40 and it'll be servicable.
Posted by Jon Jantz (Member # 6137) on :
I'll take it Ricky if I can fit on top of my SUV, hehe. Working on the City Clerk for a couple of 4'x8' sandblasted Welcome signs, so might could use it soon...
Posted by Eric McDowell (Member # 6857) on :
Well I have started building my grain frame. The frame work was the easy part. 1 and a half inch light box steel 6' x 32". That took about an hour for the frame and adjuster assembly. The stringing on the other hand is not so simple. I have made it about halfway down in two hours. Good thing my time is worth nothing( just ask some of my customers). Thanks for all the tips.
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
That's cool Eric...take some pics and post them or have us post them...when you're done. I want to see how it turned out...
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