I just 'invented' something today I thought I would share with you. Hope it's new news to at least someone.
Creating an Easy Straight Edge
I'm off site alot and have to come up with creative ways to get the job done at times. I do alot of stripes on firetrucks that range from 4-6" thick. Today I had to cut a straight edge on one side of the stripe before applying it to the vehicle, and I didn't have a straight edge tool on me.
I layed the stripe down on the ground, and placed a ruler along one edge along the top, horizontally. I then placed another ruler vertically under the horizontal one, placed as far right as possible. The result, a perfect straight edge from top to bottom.
The rulers are metal with good edges so this proved to be very reliable for getting a nice crisp right angle.
Any other new tips to share? (keeping the post idea alive for Dave Draper )
------------------ Donna with Graphic Impact, BC Canada proud $ supporter of this site gisigns@sprint.ca
Posted by coop (Member # 504) on :
This one may have been posted before, but in case you missed it here goes.
We're always losing exactos, stabilos, olfas, etc... Take a small piece of reflective vinyl, wrap it around the end. Go into the shop at night with a flashlight, and 'round 'em up.
Thanks to Monte Jumper for sharing this tip with me! It works great!
------------------ David Cooper, The Sign Shack 580-234-1072 Enid, OK. signshack@prodigy.net email=signshack@prodigy.net
Posted by Ken Henry (Member # 598) on :
Whenever I'm adhereing vinyl on-site, I have a 3M Gold squeegee that I've drilled a hole into, between the ridges, and close to the top. I loop an elastic band through this hole, and wear the elastic on the wrist of my right hand. This frees up the hand to more easily position the masked vinyl, and when you need the squeegee, it's there with a simple flip of the wrist. Saves a lot of time looking for the squeegee.
------------------ Ken Henry Henry & Henry Signs London, Ontario Canada (519) 439-1881 e-mail kjmlhenry@home.com
Posted by bill riedel (Member # 607) on :
Speaking of straight edges, especially when drawing a line in the side of a truck. A strip of magnetic double feaced tape on the back side of a 4' metal straight edge is very handy. If the truck is fiber glass, just a strip of masking tape at one end works well. Bill Riedel The old signpainter
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Posted by Dave Grundy (Member # 103) on :
Ken...When I am out on a job I always wear my handy dandy vinyl applicator's pouch. Kinda like a carpenter's pouch but a lot classier looking. It holds a couple of squeegies, exacto, pencil, tape measure, Olfa knife, rivit brush, masking tape and a lil chizler. But your idea about the elastic band through the squeegie sounds like a great idea. Now in keeping with the professional image i like to convey with my custom modified supplies case, the aformentioned "classy" pouch and of course my custom lettered application fluid and adhesive remover spray bottles I got to thinking that one of those flourescent springy bracelets that the bank tellers use these days to keep track of their "swipe" cards might be just that final touch of class to enhance an already "CLASSY ACT"!!!! har har har!!!!
------------------ Dave Grundy shop#340 AKA "applicator" on mIRC "stickin' sticky stuff to valuable vessels and vehicles!" in Granton, Ontario, Canada 1-519-225-2634 dave.grundy@odyssey.on.ca www.odyssey.on.ca/~dave.grundy "A PROUD $ supporter of the website"
Posted by Diane Crowther (Member # 120) on :
This tip may help the carpal tunnel syndrome, sore neck, and other computer related problems. I got a Logitech Mouseman Wheel mouse and it is just great for surfin' the web. When I go to our graphics computers, I miss having it.
This mouse has a really nice shape which fits comfortably in the palm of your hand. Between the mouse buttons there's a small wheel that you drag on to scroll the screen page up and down. There's also a side button (that you click with your thumb) that performs a few functions: click it once and it performs a "double click" for you. Click & hold and it brings up eight web icons for "back", "bookmarks", etc. (or you can set it to perform other functions such as word processing). When I'm using this mouse, my hand moves far less than all the buzzing around necessary with a regular mouse.
With my new mouse I also bought a mouse table that attaches to the underside of my desk. My neck and shoulder are much happier...not totally happy, but much happier.
------------------ Diane Crowther, Metaline Graphics Ltd., Nova Scotia, Canada, ID #285
Posted by Chuck Churchill (Member # 68) on :
Dave here is another suggestion for your on site class act. I recently bought a multi pocketed cloth bucket bag and a big flat bottomed plastic bucket. The bucket bag fits over the sides of the bucket. Mine has about 40 pockets for everything from pencils to a portable drill. Even has a pocket made for a cell phone. Inside the bucket you can put your cut vinyl rolls, spray bottles and rulers up to 3 feet long. Grab the handle of the bucket and you can move everything you need for the job (except a ladder) in one hand. Also helps you keep all your tools organized and in one place while onsite. I looked a long time here in Ontario for one of these bucket bags with out success. Finally found it(a Craftsman model) at a Sears store in Michigan.
I took this to a local University today to do a installation project. I was the envy of all the students on campus....especially the co-eds!
------------------ Chuck Churchill, It's A Good Sign Inc. 3245 Harvester Rd, U-12 Burlington, Ont. Phone: 905-681-8775 Fax: 905-681-8945
Posted by Donna in BC (Member # 130) on :
Here's another tip I can share that I've been doing lately.
When a project calls for vinyl removal, we all know what a mess the glue adhesive remover and glue can make.
Bodyshops have that paper attached to masking tape. I rip a good sized piece off the roll, then stick the tape to the vehicle right under where the removal will take place. I then drape the rest of the paper over areas of the vehicle I don't want to mess up, such as steps on a rig.
No more messy bay, or extra cleanup on the vehicle.
------------------ Donna with Graphic Impact, BC Canada proud $ supporter of this site gisigns@sprint.ca
Posted by Jamie Hunt (Member # 970) on :
Dave thats a great idea with using a pouch for puting all your bits and pieces in, i use one myself but i've just come up with another idea. when driving in my car i have a drinks can holder which hooks over the window, so i thought i could put this to use and heat bent the second angle on the holder so it was straight and heatbended the first angle so it was at a 180 degree angle you should have a clip that you can now hook over your belt. Now you need a can size squeege bottle to fill with apllication fluid In england i use a company called AUTOSMART were i get my spray bottle which is roughly a coke can size in thickness. I find it great for when you only have one pair of hands to spray the application fluid
------------------ Brookfield signs not just another vinyl company!!
Posted by Vinal Wizzard R (Member # 476) on :
I have something to add to Donna's method, the paper on the side and floor will help you so much in clean up .I at one time did many many buses that need vinyl removed and new on I would save old Backing or liner Spin it around and apply your tape to the printed side (if you use the shinny side It will fall just when you don't want it to ) This ia a bit more durable if your useing diffrent chemicals. Worked well for me and don't need a roll of paper and a friend also used newspaper.
------------------ Al Checca 934 Wood Street Latrobe PA. 15650 724-532-3245 People asking questions lost in confusion Well I tell them there's no problem, only solutions Well they shke their heads and look at me as if I've lost my mind...........John Lennon 724-532-3245
Posted by John Byrd (Member # 825) on :
I posted this before but it deserves another! If you do alot of hand lettering try this. When opening your soup, chili, fruit cans for the next 'signpainter's lunch' don't cut the lid off completely...leave an inch or so uncut and carefully pry it open to empty the contents. Wash it out well and when it dries you've got the handiest paint can - pallate combination there is!Pallate on the back of the lid that is now exposed and the excess is running back into the can! Best thing since ready mixed paint! The soup can sizes are the best for all around work...easy to hold with mahl stick hand or crossed wrist method. Works GREAT! Learned this one while working for 'Wimp' Cantrell.
------------------ John Byrd Ball Ground Georgia letrhed1@tds.net so happy I gotta sit on both my hands to keep from wavin' at everybody!
Posted by Ross Luckhurst (Member # 703) on :
Dave, you forgot to mention your pocket protector, and tape on your glasses!
------------------ Ross Luckhurst AKA Scolt on Chat DIGISIGN Woodstock, Ontario, Eh! digisign@netcom.ca
Posted by mary joe (Member # 539) on :
i sure do like those shiny paint kits they sell at dick blick, but since i'm on a budget i load all of my supplies in a milk crate (you know, the kind found outside of 7-11). it carries my supplies and on occasion i have to empty it out and use it for a stepping stool. i knew i forgot something! the ladder.
------------------ Mary Joe MJ Design Trenton, MI mjgrafix@ili.net
