I've been thinking about fabricating a dimensional sign of my logo (attached). I home office, so no storefront or anything...this would just be for fun. The sign would probably consist primarily of layers of painted acrylic.
This might be a stretch but I would really like to have the vial be an actual liquid-filled vial.
Any ideas on how to accomplish that? Acrylic tube filled with mineral spirits (I think that's what they use on actual vials)? Not sure I could even get a clear tube that size (3"-4" in diameter).
[ November 24, 2013, 09:49 PM: Message edited by: MozeCollins ]
Posted by Curt Stenz (Member # 82) on :
the 'bubble vials' on carpenter levels and such are filled with alcohol. If this is a stationary sign, this 'bubble' may never move. Why not airbrush it.
Posted by Michael Clanton (Member # 2419) on :
I have used clear plastic (vinyl) tubing- picked it up at Lowe's in the plumbing department- I don't know what diameters that it comes in- but I made some large vial containers for homemade glow in the dark slime for my son's birthday party one year...
Posted by MozeCollins (Member # 51014) on :
I just like the idea of having it functional since my logo is designed around the concept of 'precision'.
Airbrushing is a good idea though in the event a liquid-filled vial doesn't pan out.
Posted by MozeCollins (Member # 51014) on :
This is helpful: vial info Posted by Checkers (Member # 63) on :
Hiya Moze - I really like the design, it's simple and clean.
I was going to say your local plastic supplier should be able to supply you with an appropriate tube. If they're good, they even make it into a nearly complete vial that all you have to do is fill it, plug it and put the stripes on.
The only issue I can foresee it getting the barrel shape right may be a bit of a challenge. So, as Curt suggested, you may want to airbrush it instead.
Havin' fun,
Checkers
Posted by MozeCollins (Member # 51014) on :
Yeah, I see the biggest problem being the barrel shape. Not sure I'd be able to accomplish that.
Thanks for the compliment on the logo. All credit goes to Phillip...he designed it. Posted by Rick Sacks (Member # 379) on :
you could hang the sign on your door and have an indicator telling you when it starts to sag?
Posted by Kelly Thorson (Member # 2958) on :
On second thought, with a vial that big I don't think your "bubble" will work. If there is that much air in it won't it just flatten out?
[ November 25, 2013, 10:59 AM: Message edited by: Kelly Thorson ]
Posted by Kelly Thorson (Member # 2958) on :
Mineral oil may work better be cause it is more viscous.
Posted by MozeCollins (Member # 51014) on :
Rick & Kelly, thank you for the responses.
Rick, I'm not following, sorry.
Kelly, the info on Johnson level's website indicates that they use acrylic vials filled with mineral spirits. But I agree, it would definitely be worth it to test it first to ensure compatibility.
As far as the size of the vial - I don't think that is an issue as far as the bubble is concerned. I think the issue is going to be achieving the barrel shape. Otherwise, you're correct...the mineral spirits would just flatten out, leaving an air gap across the entire top portion.
Posted by Kelly Thorson (Member # 2958) on :
OK, I see what you mean by the barrel shape, I was thinking you were referring to the overall curve of the entire sign. Duh! I'd think that maybe a heavier grade motor oil might tend to "bubble" more, you could add some food coloring. Buy yourself some Christmas baubles in a tube and experiment with the packaging. Posted by Tony McDonald (Member # 1158) on :
If you were going to paint the fluid and bubble, for the vial you could heat an wrap some plexi around a pringles can or whatever size..
Posted by Don Hulsey (Member # 128) on :
You could get some fuel filler hose and make an arched vial.
I think Kelly's right. An actual bubble in any liquid is just going to flatten out at that size. It won't be shaped like a bubble as it would in a small vial. This is if I'm following you correctly. Edit to add: maybe you could wrap the vial in transparent yellow vinyl. They use it for floodlight covers. Cut out the bubble?
[ November 25, 2013, 06:17 PM: Message edited by: Chuck Peterson ]
Posted by MozeCollins (Member # 51014) on :
Thanks all for the input. I have a feeling that an actual liquid-filled vial will be a no-go, but I might get some various pieces of tubing and experiment.
Posted by David Harding (Member # 108) on :
I think the viscosity and surface tension of the fluid will dictate whether it flows out or forms a bubble. Why not experiment with some smaller tubes and liquids and see if you can get the effect to work? If you want some color, another fluid that might work is antifreeze.
I saw on your website that you worked for Chandler. I'm sure we know many of the same people. Kirk Withrow worked for me back in the early '80s and then went to work for SignGraphics because the commute was closer. SignGraphics eventually ceased operations and Kirk went to Chandler. I think Chandler may have bought out SignGraphics.
Did Phillip Newell design your logo? Although we've never met, we have many friends in common.
Posted by MozeCollins (Member # 51014) on :
Thanks for the response, David.
Kirk and I are very good friends. I think very highly of him...he's one of my favorite people. He was actually my supervisor for about seven years at Chandler.
And yes, Phillip did my logo. And I'm guessing you're right that we have many of the same friends. Posted by David Harding (Member # 108) on :
Kirk's mother, Doris, worked as my secretary/receptionist and his brother Keith also worked for me. That whole family is terrific. When Kirk told me he was finding another job, I cried. He's one of those people who could never be replaced. Did Robert Eaddy work at Chandler also?
Posted by David Harding (Member # 108) on :
The Withrows worked for me in the early '80s at Pioneer Signs, a company I started in 1972. I sold the company during the time they worked there and I left it in 1983.
Yesterday afternoon, I got a surprise visit from the sign painter I hired in 1980 and moved from the Florida panhandle to Texas. I hadn't seen Ron Collier in years and he dropped by "to see if I still lived there". Ron worked with Chester Cunningham in Dothan, Alabama in the '70s and was greatly influenced by his style. Ron is likely the best sign writer I've ever met. His layouts and logo designs were elegant, his pictorials realistic and his typography unmatched. He had some of the most beautiful scripts I've ever seen and did wonderful calligraphy. Ron is one of the reasons I never learned to hand letter--I already had him working for me and I knew I'd never match him.
He showed up about a half hour before the Cowboy game started and we visited until the fourth quarter. One of my grandsons kept popping out to give me updates. Since the Cowboys won, I might have to invite Ron over for a visit in future games--after all, it's only weird if it doesn't work!
Posted by MozeCollins (Member # 51014) on :
Small world! And yeah, just got off the phone with Kirk - we definitely know a lot of the same friends. Posted by MozeCollins (Member # 51014) on :
Well, I got off the phone with Starrett...the rep was really helpful.
Found out that vials are filled with denatured alcohol or mineral spirits because it won't freeze. He suggested using water since the sign won't be outside.
The viscosity apparently has nothing to do with the bubble itself - the bubble forming depends solely on the bend or arc of the tube it is in. The bend can be pretty minimal - it just gives the bubble a spot to rest.
Now to figure out a good way to slightly arc/bubble the top of a length of acrylic tube. I'm thinking clamps, bottle jacks, and heat....
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