OK. I've got the brushes, and I've got the paint. Now for the mahl stick. So, what's yours like? Did you make it, buy it, what? And if you did make it, what is it made of, and how did you make it? Nosey, hey? Well, I want to make my own, and I want the best design possible. I have heard of different kinds, and I want to hear all of your opinions on the matter.
So, what is your ideal Mahl Stick?
------------------ From Katie Wright, 16 year old professional signie wannabe from Aus.
"Life is a great big canvas, throw all the paint on it that you can"
Posted by Si Allen (Member # 420) on :
If your Dad is a golfer...take his putter and chop the head off and add a small rubber ball to it! Otherwise a 3/8 inch dowell and a rubber ball will make a nice one!
------------------ Si Allen #562 La Mirada, CA. USA (714) 521-4810 ICQ # 330407 "SignPainters do It with Longer Strokes!"
Brushasaurus on Chat
Gladly supporting this BB !
Posted by Kookaburra (Member # 254) on :
Nope... no golfers in this family. Least of all dad
------------------ From Katie Wright, 16 year old professional signie wannabe from Aus.
"Life is a great big canvas, throw all the paint on it that you can"
Posted by Adrienne Pereira (Member # 1046) on :
Jim brought home these long lightweight thin poles....I think they were made of fiberglass....anyway, they came to a fine point so I cut off the pointy end about 3 feet long, stuck a small ball on the end and dipped it into rubberized tool paint (you can get it at any hardware store, for dipping tool handles) Now, I just gotta learn how to USE it!
A
------------------ Adrienne Morgan Splash Signs www.splashsigns.com "Rainkatt'
How very wise of you to want to learn the proper use of your brushes with the aid of a mahl stick!This decission will help boost your confidence,and enable you to have better control of your brushes.I have both made my own out of wooden dowels attached to rubber balls,and Aluminum arrow shafts with cork balls dipped in rubber paint,for it's light weight.By far the best mahl(straight)stick I have ever used and now own.Is a Graphite shaft unit made by the signpainter Don King for other signpainters.It is marketed as "The Royal Shaft" and you should be able to find it on the SEARCH section of this BB Hope this helps
------------------ PKing is Pat King of King Sign Design in McCalla,Alabama The Professor of SIGNOLOGY
Posted by Bill Davidson (Member # 531) on :
Don't have to have golfers in the family, hit the secind hand stores, ask some friends for a "smmoth" shaft old club. Don't want to use the ones what are "crimped". You know the ones with the rings around them. Putters are usually not crimped. Good luck to ya. Maybe I'll see ya at a meet??? never know. JPBill
------------------
Posted by John Deaton (Member # 925) on :
I use to have one of the aluminum type mahl sticks that I bought from Dick Blick many years ago. Don't know what happened to that rascal. Now and then I use the dowel rod rubber ball model. It's easy to make, and fun to use.
------------------ John Deaton III Deaton Signs&Grafix 109 N. Cumberland Ave.,Harlan, Ky. 40831 606-573-9101
Hey Kookie...my favorite (and I've had it 20 years) is a 4'3" long 3/8" wooden dowel with a cork ball about 1 1/2" in diameter drilled to fit the dowell about 1/2 way thru then held in place with wood glue and a screw right in the end of the cork screwed into the dowel...why so long? I use it for running lines on 4 ' signs (the extra length lets me paint them in one continuous stroke without having too stop and move the stick as I use it for a guide when I run my hand down it). Best mahl stick I ever had (and I use it all the time)I've had the 3 piece...it fits in the kit well but usually bends or gets loose.
"Werks fer me it'll werk fer you"
------------------ Monte Jumper SIGNLanguage/Norman.Okla.
Posted by Jackson Smart (Member # 187) on :
Everyone has thier "Favorite" type....Mine is a stainless steel hollow tube...1/4" diameter, with a rubber cap on the end (I found the rubber cap at an automotive store...used to cap off vacuum lines) I then epoxied a screw eye in the other end...to hang it on the wall when not in use. Total length is 41"....used just as Monte suggested....I LOVE my mahlstick!!!!
------------------ Jackson Smart Jackson's Signs Port Angeles, WA ...."The Straits of Juan De Fuca in my front yard and Olympic National Park in my backyard...
"Living on Earth is expensive...but it does include a free trip around the Sun"
Posted by Michael Boone (Member # 308) on :
One time I lettered a window at a junkyard.. The owner came out with a telescoping handle to a mechanic mirror...he said..I becha you can use this ta rest yer hand on.He had seen painters use a mahl stick. I attached three layers of deerskin on the end..kinda formed a ball.Its non slip and it folds right up nice n tidy...3 sections..each section has a locking ring on it. Anodized finish...good find!
Mine is called a Fiddlers Bow... It's not a mahl stick but a resting stick... Great for Drawings, Painting, Lettering, Airbrushing, Etc...
Raven/2001
------------------ Raven/2000 Airbrushed by Raven Lower sackville N.S. deveausdiscovery@sprint.ca
Posted by Linda Silver Eagle (Member # 274) on :
kewl idea Stephen!
I've even used a shower curtain rod for long strokes...a bit large for lettering, but unscrew to length desired for big lines and zoro couldn't do it quicker. The weight holds it still, but too heavy to tote every stroke, as well.
Katy, several, a collection would be better.
I know you'll pick the best for you!
------------------ Linda Silver Eagle Peace Signs Georgia, USA
ICQ# 60434646
logodesign2@icqmail.com
"I just wrap the cord around my wrist so I can feel the wind on my veins and dance with compressors and a wild look in my eye!' --LindaSilver^^
[This message has been edited by Linda Silver Eagle (edited February 25, 2001).]
Posted by David Fisher (Member # 107) on :
Gday Katie, My kids busted my long time friend and mahl stick so I took their dwarf pool cue. But you probably already know that. I can also recommend the putter shaft, works well and is nice and light which is good unless like myself you happen to be used to using nightsticks. David
------------------ D.A. & P.M. Fisher Signwriting Brisbane Australia da_pmf@yahoo.com
Posted by Dave Draper (Member # 102) on :
Hi Katie,
My old Mal Sitck, was a 3 section screw together aluminum shaft I bought at a sign paint supply store many years ago. It was nice because I could keep it in my sign kit un-assembled.
I cant find it.
My mentors taught me to use my arm for a mal stick, so if I was out on a job and forgot it, I would know how to improvise.
------------------ Draper The Signmaker Bloomington Illinois USA Be Sure to Check Out My Next Article On "Sign Shop Photography" in the March Issue of Sign Builder Illustrated! 309-828-7110 signman@davesworld.net Raptorman or Draper_Dave on mIRC chat
Katie - The traditional mahl stick here was made of dowel, in two or three sections and jointed with brass ferrules. The blob on the end was built up of cotton wool wadding or rag and then covered with chamois leather, which was whipped on and then trimmed up neatly I prefer wooden dowelling to metal; metal is no joke on a freezing cold day. I also prefer dowelling to the likes of pool cues, because there is no taper to contend with.
------------------ Goldenmahl Dave Hodge's Traditional Signs. Preston, England. 01772 743352 GOLDENMAHLDAVE@aol.com
Posted by Bill Biggs (Member # 18) on :
Katie, I used that thing Pat King was talking about at the Georgia meet, Nice design, but a little short for me. I have used the three part ones from Dick Blick for most of my life, they tend to wear out and get crooked or loose in the joints, but they are reasonably priced and last a long time. I made one once a little longer to do boats with out of a gun cleaning rod, It ended up about 3ft long. and I used one of the regular stoppers from the dick blick sticks. But it was a little heavy, as the rod was solid. My Dad always made his out of Dowell and a rubber ball. He did a lot of sho cards, so he would put a piece of chamos over the end of it with a Rubber band, he said it gripped the card better, and if it got dirty he could change it. I have also done the same thing with paper towel. Bill
------------------ Bill & Barbara Biggs Art's Sign Service, Inc. Clute, Texas, USA Home of The Great Texas Mosquito Festival Proud Third year Supporter of the Letterheads Website MailTo:twobeesusa@netscape.net
Posted by Mike Languein (Member # 319) on :
Pool cues and Golf clubs are tapered and I find having a straight rod works best for me - a 3/8" dowel with a rubber ball from a jacks & ball set and I dipped the ball in some rubber stuff ** for dipping tool handles - it holds the ball on and is a non-slip surface. Every couple years I re-dip as the stuff gets hard after a while. (After a 'whilst'?) ha ha. The wood is nice and warm in the winter. I have two of different lengths - one at 48 inches and one at about 30 inches. I also keep one of those screw-together ones in my kit as I sometimes need to get in real close in a corner and I can use 1 or 2 or 3 sections. They must still be available. I've seen ones that push together but they get loose after a while and fall apart. The chamois tied on is good for non-slip, also. And don't let anybody talk you out of using a Mahl stick by calling it "A Crutch", either. The more tools you are able to use the better you will be.
** Plasti-Dip
------------------ "If it isn't fun, why do it?" Signmike@aol.com Mike Languein Doctor of Letters BS, MS, PhD ___________________
You know what BS is, MS is More of the Same, and it's Piled Higher and Deeper here
[This message has been edited by Mike Languein (edited February 26, 2001).]
Posted by Paul Jordan (Member # 1198) on :
Kookaburra, Details of a real Mahl Stick. Take a piece of 3/8 (9mm) hardwood dowel. Cut it in half & fit a fishing rod ferrule to it & taper the top of the shaft from the ferrule to the top tip & put a wad of cotton wool covered with chamois & tied with a piece of chalkline to resemble a drumstick & about as round as a 20c piece. I still use my original apprenticeship model after 56 years of signwriting. John Jordan, Australia
------------------ Paul Jordan Jordan Signs http://jordansigns.com.au paul@jordansigns.com.au Australia if you love what you are doing, you should always do it well.
Posted by Greg Sellers (Member # 900) on :
I hate to be the dummy that asks this question... but here it goes. I have seen a mahl stick, I understand somewhat what it is used for, BUT how do you use it? Any body got a picture of someone using one? Or PAt next time I'm at your shop how 'bout showing me, I've been meaning to ask for a long time? I would like to learn to use a brush, but I know it is not something everybody can do. I'm still young maybe if I start now by the time I'm very old I'll at least know how to hold a brush and use a mahlstick!!
you need to check out Don King's Mahl sticks, lightweight and pretty inexpensive.
I think his web site is kinggraphics.com
------------------ Work like you don't need the money, Love like you've never been hurt, And Dance like no one's watching. :) Mike Lavallee Mike Lavallee's Pinstriping & Airbrush Art Everett, WA
Posted by Mike Lavallee (Member # 320) on :
Kooka,
you need to check out Don King's Mahl sticks, lightweight and pretty inexpensive.
I think his web site is kingraphix.com
------------------ Work like you don't need the money, Love like you've never been hurt, And Dance like no one's watching. :) Mike Lavallee Mike Lavallee's Pinstriping & Airbrush Art Everett, WA
Posted by Glenn Racoma (Member # 1846) on :
One day I had to hand letter a 25 foot wall. I had everything except.......you guessed it; the mahl stick. Well, being that it was a toy store, I started searching for something and came across a 30" oranged aluminum cheerleaders baton. It has two sized ends. One was as thin as an inch, and the other end was a wider 2" tip. Both of rubber like materials. It worked just great and I'm continuing using it more than my old wooden one. Amazing what you can find out of 'creative desperation' out there on the job-sight!
Glenn Dezion Signs 46-020 Alalo St. M-5 Kaneohe, Hi.
808 247-7450
------------------ de signs
Posted by Adrienne Pereira (Member # 1046) on :
Gregory....now pat here is showing us his 'KingPicker' nose supporting technique of mahl stick usery.... .I myself find the larger chamoise covered ball end too large to fit in my nose whilst painting...but it's sure softer than that rubber ball Mike Languein uses!
Have fun! A
------------------ Adrienne Morgan Splash Signs www.splashsigns.com "Rainkatt'
Pat's idea is pretty good if you have a large nose!
here is a picture: ENJOY!
------------------ Draper The Signmaker Bloomington Illinois USA Be Sure to Check Out My Next Article On "Sign Shop Photography" in the March Issue of Sign Builder Illustrated! 309-828-7110 signman@davesworld.net Raptorman or Draper_Dave on mIRC chat
Posted by Santo (Member # 411) on :
My first one was a cut pool que. But I switched to the 3-pieced aluminium commercial stick.
After painting with a mahl stick for many years, I found that the very best is the one Pat and Mike wrote about from Don King. You will never find or make one as fine as it is. When ever working with tools, a good tool helps you do a better job. This is the best in my opinion. Good luck.
------------------ Bill Riedel Riedel Sign Co., Inc. Little Ferry, NJ billsr@riedelsignco.com
Posted by Mike Languein (Member # 319) on :
Greg, the Mahl Stick is used to keep one's hands off the surface, as a bridge, as a straight edge guide and to steady one's major hand with the minor one at a distance for large curves - also when doing certain smaller jobs I notice I'm forming my letter more with my minor hand then the major as it's along for the ride. Also, apparently, with a soft enough end or a pointy one it must be a durn good nose picker... you might not want to borrow someone else's in view of this practice...
You can pick your nose... And you can pick your friends. But you can't pick your friend's nose!
Well, maybe with the right attachment?
------------------ "If it isn't fun, why do it?" Signmike@aol.com Mike Languein Doctor of Letters BS, MS, PhD ___________________
You know what BS is, MS is More of the Same, and it's Piled Higher and Deeper here
Posted by Mark Fair Signs (Member # 289) on :
it is great to see all these mahl stick operators!!!!
well kookie i have to go with my buddy monte on this one. i have been using a 36' wood dowel with a furniture leg boot on the end. i like the wood because over time it absorbs skin oils, thinners and paints and make the hand slide easier. i have been known to rub a little talcum powder to make my hand slide.
monte, i am going out tomorrow and try to find me a longer dowel and ball of cork.(cool)
i can't remember what that old terry teague uses??? if it will make me letter like you guys then i will try it!!!
now i know why the end of pat king's mahl stick has a real nice green patina on the business end! LOL
"Mark Fair is a Proud Contributor to The Letterhead Site!"
Posted by Bill Preston (Member # 1314) on :
Hi, Katie-- This more-or-less old timer has had a dowel and rubber ball type mahlstick kicking around the shop for years, and truth to tell, I could never make the thing work. Usually, it would end up slipping downward at a high rate of speed, producing streaks of color and colorful profanity. What works best for me is the hand over hand method. I'm right handed, so adjust if you are a lefty. I hold a small cup of paint thinned to a brushing consistency in my left hand, and use my left wrist to support my right or brush hand. Dip out your paint, pallette on the cup edge, place your right wrist on your left, and go to it. It sounds more complicated telling it than it actually is. Try it, if it works for you, forget the mahlstick. Good luck. Bill Preston WPreston2@stny.rr.com
------------------ Bill Preston Fly Creek, N.Y. USA signpntr@capital.net
Posted by Stephen Deveau (Member # 1305) on :
Bill There is times that you will need something above the Hand over Hand for small or large works.... As they called it in the days of old was the "Crutch" Sometimes it is a good tool to work with.... Others maybe Not!!!! Depending on your nerves that Day...
LOL Raven/2001
------------------ Raven/2000 Airbrushed by Raven Lower sackville N.S. deveausdiscovery@sprint.ca
Posted by Si Allen (Member # 420) on :
When I started out, I was too poor to afford a stick, so I learned to do without a mahl stick!
Kidding aside, I was taught that you don't need a "stick" , unless you are doing teeny tiny letters (under 2 inches)...then use hand over hand.
I have been know to use one when doing gold leaf on a window...so as not to get finger prints on the glass while working. Otherwise it is quicker and easier to just letter away!
P.S. Mahl sticks don't help much on large wall jobs!
------------------ Si Allen #562 La Mirada, CA. USA (714) 521-4810 ICQ # 330407 "SignPainters do It with Longer Strokes!"
Brushasaurus on Chat
Gladly supporting this BB !
Posted by Mark Fair Signs (Member # 289) on :
i agree SI. a mahl stick is not practical when doing wall work.(that's in the fitch and cutter realm. but the great thing about the old mahl stick is that you can work over a large painted area and can pull accurate paint lines with say a quill or a truck lettering flat above what has just been painted.)
hell, if norman rockwell uses one then it must be okay.
i have a buddy here in montgomery who laughs at the mahl stick because he is a master at the "overhand method".
"Mark Fair is a Proud Contributor to The Letterhead Site!"
Posted by Kent Smith (Member # 251) on :
I have mostly dowel mahl sticks and also the Griffold screw together aluminum ones in my sign kits. The first consideration is for weight as you want it to relieve fatigue, not add to it. I was trained in the handover method for cardwriting and other bench work then use of the mahl stick for reverse glass work. Watching and learning from one who really knows how to use it to enhance speed and accuracy for vertical strokes is masterful. I have known many who are faster by using the stick properly. It depends on who your teacher is and how proficient that teacher is with a mahl stick. When I transferred what I learned with glass work to the bench, my accuacy improved greatly. I never use it on large work, banners or walls. There are still good photos of Ray LeBlanc using one in Gold Leaf Techniques and my hand and the Griffold mahl stick on page 32 of the 4th edition and some of bob Fitzgerald in Practical Sign Shop Operation.
------------------ Kent Smith Smith Sign Studio Greeley, Colorado, USA kent@smithsignstudio.com
Posted by Kookaburra (Member # 254) on :
Thanks for all the hints so far! They're great! I'm trying my hand at making one, then I'll see how it goes.
Thanks for the hints!
------------------ From Katie Wright, 16 year old professional signie wannabe from Aus.
"Life is a great big canvas, throw all the paint on it that you can"
.I myself find the larger chamoise covered ball end too large to fit in my nose whilst painting...but it's sure softer than that rubber ball Mike Languein uses!
