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I am thinking about buying a projector and try some painted signs up to a 4'x8' using artwork printed on my printer. I know very little about projectors And need help on what to get I dont have much to spend on one under 100 bucks if possible used is ok. any advice
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Richard... A projector pays for itself after 1 use. Go to Staples. They cost about $110 there. Or try Viking via the mail...no PA tax. Love- JILL
-------------------- That is like a Mr. Potato Head with all the pieces in the wrong place. -Russ McMullin Posts: 8834 | From: Butler, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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Richard I work for the school Board and When I started painting I asked them if they had an opaque.they gave me one of the ole 5inch projecters.I can do large walls with it.Start at the schools or buy a 5x5 from the art stores.Good luck.
-------------------- Randall Campbell Randy's Graphics, 420 Fairfield N. Hamilton Ontario Canada Posts: 2857 | From: Hamilton Ontario Canada | Registered: Jan 2002
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Richard, you've two choices. The opaque one requires pretty well full darkness,and you dcan put paper, books etc. into it.
The overhead projector can be used in daylight conditions, but you have to use "clears", if you print your artwork on paper, then run a clear thru your photocopier, you'll have your clear. You can do hand layouts, etc on clears, as well as paper.It's a great way to get loose layouts, do them small with a felt pen/ sharpie, then blow up to full size, it looks "natural"
Do you see the light?? ha ha
John Lennig / SignRider
John Lennig / SignRider
-------------------- John Lennig / Big Top Sign Arts 5668 Ewart Street, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada bigtopya@hotmail.com 604.451.0006 Posts: 2184 | From: Burnaby, British Columbia,Canada | Registered: Nov 2001
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The problem with opaque projectors is we seem to get a lot more distortion to the image and the room needs to be pretty dark to get a good enough projection to work from. We prefer a overhead projector. They give you a nicer image and you don't need to have it quite a dark as the opaque. You need to make your image on a transparency though. You can get blank tranparency sheets that you can run through your printer, or most copy shops can make you a transparency from your paper image. You might check with your local school and see if you can buy one that is used. Also, if you are buying one, new or used, check how much the replacement bulbs are. Some can be VERY pricey IF you can even get them! On older models, that you buy second hand, some bulbs are no longer available. We've been through three overheads in 25 years. We use them up! I don't know where or opaque is...it's stored somewhere.
-------------------- Jane Diaz Diaz Sign Art 628 W. Lincoln Ave. Pontiac, Il. 61764 815-844-7024 www.diazsignart.com Posts: 4102 | From: Pontiac, IL USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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Some inkjet printers can print directly on the transparency material. You have to make sure you get the transparency stuff for inkjets (got a box at staples) and that your printer can print on it. Luckily, my epson does. I was given an opaque projector.. I'll be buying an overhead. I get huge distortion & it has to be almost pitch black to use the thing.
-------------------- Chris Welker Wildfire Signs Indiana, Pa Posts: 4254 | From: Indiana, PA | Registered: Mar 2001
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A brand new opaque costs around $900 - but a used one can usually be found for around $100. I use mine all the time - it's a big old American Optics and works just fine. There were many brands back in the day... One of the very best old timers was Spotlight - if you can find one of these grab it! One went at a recent Letterhead meet for $20 - I couldn't believe it. The opaques use a 1000 watt bulb so there's a heat situation to be aware of - photos will curl, faxes will turn black. Don't shake it whilst it's on & hot or you'll break the $20 bulb - and NEVER touch the bulb with your hands - the oil from fingers will cause a hot spot and burn it out. The overheads will enlarge a lot more than the opaques - but a cheap one will vibrate and drive you blind and batty whilst tracing. But they are also cool running. Try schools - if they have an Audio-Visual Dept. they may have some that need a little TLC, that's where I got mine, needed a switch. I also bought a super nice Ex-Air Force overhead from a surplus place for $94. Of course there's always eBay...
Posts: 1859 | From: / | Registered: Nov 1998
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i have an APPOLLO 6" x 6" opaque. you wont get anything worth a s*** for $100 new. might as well use a flashlight!!! mine uses a 300W bi-pin bulb and they cost anywhere from $28-$45 per bulb depending where you buy them. also they are only good for maybe 10-20 hours of use!!!! i got a 3M overhead and your inkjet can print on transparencies but they aint cheap!
[ January 13, 2004, 01:33 AM: Message edited by: old paint ]
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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Thanks everyone not sure which way to go probably overhead from what I have heard. Im gonna check the school here first. Chris what model epson do you have? I have a C80 I think
[ January 14, 2004, 08:53 AM: Message edited by: Richard Doyle ]
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