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So I'll start by saying that I've been running business for 7 years or so and haven't really got into a ton of hand painting projects. While I've had my share of sandblasted/gold leaf dimensional signs which I've painted I don't have much knowledge about what brushes should be used for what. I am lucky in that MACK brush is about a 45 minute drive from me in Southern Michigan, but I'd like to see what you all would recommend for brushes.
The projects...I am currently teaching myself to glass chip and gild on glass so I'd like to get some brushes for outlining and lettering. The largest project I've got going is about 4'x16" and the smallest is whatever scrap glass I can find to play with.
My budget...like most of us, we aren't rolling in $ and I know the brushes aren't cheap. Currently I find a brush and use it without the correct knowledge as to what brush would be best for what task. My Uncle (Don Eckland) has provided some great knowledge along the way and is my sign "Jedi".
Any input into the sizes and types of brushes would be great (even models #'s etc). Let's say my budget is $80...
Thanks Scott
-------------------- Scott Eckland Chelsea Signs web: chelseasigns.com email: scott@chelseasigns.com 734.475.9704 Posts: 198 | From: Michigan | Registered: Jun 2002
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Woops...forgot...Don recommended 0,1,2 in a "Liner brush" and a Lettering quill/brush grayline squirrel size 0,1,2...not sure what brands or specific models.
-------------------- Scott Eckland Chelsea Signs web: chelseasigns.com email: scott@chelseasigns.com 734.475.9704 Posts: 198 | From: Michigan | Registered: Jun 2002
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Hi Scott, glad you are learning and interested in the cave man stuff, i learned a bunch of that stuff from daddy fine gold, lola and a bunch of others. You won't go wrong with mack brushes, good quality and low prices, a rare combo these days! those sound like good recomendations, although if you are just starting you'll have a tuff time with liners at first, kinda hard to control with long hairlength. Oldtimers like the softer brown hair for reverse glass work for better coverage but i find the grays are a softer blend than in the past and the mack synthetics work very well, are inexpensive and last forever if you look after them, sure doesn't help the brush sales!
-------------------- Pete Payne Willowlake Design/Canadian Signcrafters Bayfield, ON
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Pete- Thanks for the great input..is there a specific MACK brush (model/number) you'd recommend in place of the liner for a greenhorn such as myself? Scott
-------------------- Scott Eckland Chelsea Signs web: chelseasigns.com email: scott@chelseasigns.com 734.475.9704 Posts: 198 | From: Michigan | Registered: Jun 2002
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I used to HATE fine outlining, Scott, but found the Langnickel series 133 (I think), worked as well as any to make the job easier- they maintain a square end all the way- you don't get a taper as you lift- well not much if you don't want it.
Anyway Langnickel has a really long-bristled series that were very narrow, and just perfect for outlining letters.
As for Mack's list of brushes- there are lots of nice ones there- I'd like a dozen of each!
However, I'd recommend trying the vortex- a short-handled little thing, but it's a good one for that job- again it has extreme length to carry enough paint to go a fair way at a good width before you need to refill! Try a number 2, or whatever they have that's the smallest. I'd also remommend a 2, 3 & 4 in Langnickel's whichever series it is.
Hope that helps!
-------------------- "Stewey" on chat
"...there are no limits when you aim for perfection..." Jonathan Livingston Seagull Posts: 7014 | From: Highgrove via Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia | Registered: Dec 2002
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I've been using mack 189 grey quills, 179 browns for years, cheap and durable natural hair quills. For liners try mack 839, fairly short hair as liners go and easier to control than the excessively long ones, mack synthetic quills, series 2179 work very well, as do the flats in that series but i find the synthetic liners too long, but that could just be my lack of talent! As you progress splurge on some other brushes to try as brush choice is highly personal. Want to start a good scrap, loudly proclaim one type of brush as the best at a letterhead meet and you're sure to get lots of opinions. and by all means GO TO A LETTERHEAD MEET and ask the pros, look for mike myer, he loves showing off and he'll teach you lots once he gets you cornered(grin) or sign up for one of pierre tardiffs hand lettering boot camps, ya can't beat the basics! good luck, have fun and keep the faith
-------------------- Pete Payne Willowlake Design/Canadian Signcrafters Bayfield, ON
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Pete, I am also a caveman not only in knowledge but fashion (wink) I like to brush paint and have fun, Pete likes to Clog. Yeah, he can really burn up a rug, ask him!
-------------------- Mike Meyer Sign Painter 189 1st Ave n P.O. Box 3 Mazeppa, Mn 55956
We are not selling, we are staying here in Mazeppa....we cannot re-create what we have here....not in another lifetime! SO Here we are!!!!!!!
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Again..many thanks! I did go to the MARS meet a few years back and watch Mike work on a nice RedWings glass piece and headed down to the train depot and watching some great old school gold and glass work. Good times and was jsut in awe of all the talent. I think the glue chipping and such is a dying craft in some respects and want to learn what I can. Very good input on the brushes.
Thanks Scott
-------------------- Scott Eckland Chelsea Signs web: chelseasigns.com email: scott@chelseasigns.com 734.475.9704 Posts: 198 | From: Michigan | Registered: Jun 2002
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Hey Scott, You might be better to get some larger quills than 0 and 1. It's all personal preference but there isn't a lot of difference between the three brushes; if you're on a budget just get a #1 or 2 and maybe a #5 and a 7. The liners are great brushes and you should eventually have them in every size in the series. I have liners by Scharff (2045 & 2110 series), Percy Baker, Langnickle 1330's, and Luco 3268's. If I remember correctly, the hairy end goes in the paint.
-------------------- Ricky Jackson Signs Now 614 Russell Parkway Warner Robins, GA (478) 923-7722 signpimp50@hotmail.com
"If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." Sir Issac Newton Posts: 3528 | From: Warner Robins, GA | Registered: Oct 2004
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Scott, Although I can't help with brush recommendations as I am trying to learn to letter and strip also but I did want to tell you that you aren't that far from my little brother. He is right right off of 36, on the west side of the river. Maybe I can't drop in next time I am down.
-------------------- Laura Butler Vision Graphics & Sign 4479 Welch Rd Attica, Mi 48412 Posts: 2855 | From: Attica, Mi, USA | Registered: Nov 2000
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Damn, the hairy end goes in the paint. Go figure I couldn't pull a good line.
-------------------- Jonathan Harvey Harvey's Signs and Designs 214 N. Main Newton,KS 67114 316-283-2424 (no telemarketers) Posts: 63 | From: Newton, KS | Registered: May 2006
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Damn, the hairy end goes in the paint. Go figure I couldn't pull a good line. This is why I should only buy books with pictures.
-------------------- Jonathan Harvey Harvey's Signs and Designs 214 N. Main Newton,KS 67114 316-283-2424 (no telemarketers) Posts: 63 | From: Newton, KS | Registered: May 2006
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