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I cut these letters out with a bandsaw and sabresaw and installed them, 17 years ago; before I had a computer. The customer wanted them made from his own A/C plywood so that's what I used and, I must say, after 17 years they don't really look that bad. The customer just called and wants new ones "either plywood or plastic...whatever is cheaper". Now I have a router and would rather just cut them all out on that...without having to prime and paint them all. Guess I've gotten lazy in my older age. What would you suggest? Polymetal? Does anyone cut polymetal (like Dibond) on your Shopbot router? Thanks
[ August 26, 2009, 12:16 PM: Message edited by: Wayne Webb ]
-------------------- Wayne Webb Webb Signworks Chipley, FL 850.638.9329 wayne@webbsignworks.com Posts: 7404 | From: Chipley,Florida,United States | Registered: Oct 1999
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posted
Dibond Cuts like a Dream on the Shopbot. I use 1/4 Onsrud single edge upcut O-Flutes at 3ips full depth. .18 It does cut into the spoiler board a little but makes for a great finish on both sides.
Could probably even cut it faster but I'm not running a race.
posted
The nesting feature, in my Aspire 2.0 software, arranged all 51 of the small 12" letters into one and a half 4x8 sheets. The 14 30" letters will go into 3 sheets and the 10 18" letters will take another half sheet. I allowed 1/4" for the cutter width and 1/8" clearance. So six sheets of polymetal in red and black, will cost me about $384. I might also make a few pounce patterns, to help with installation.
I figured $1555 to cut out all 75 letters. Then $1316 to install for a total of $2871 plus tax, installed. Does that sound about right? What do ya think?
-------------------- Wayne Webb Webb Signworks Chipley, FL 850.638.9329 wayne@webbsignworks.com Posts: 7404 | From: Chipley,Florida,United States | Registered: Oct 1999
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What is the cost for a sheet of Diebond? I pay around $100 ea for white! I cut letters and stuff for a local Sign-A-Rama guy, he brings me the material and the file. I charge about $60 to $80 per sheet. It takes me at least 20 minutes to set the sheet in the machine and make a tool path. Then push the button. It sounds like your charging a lot for the installation. I charge about $500 a day. The price on the letters are about the same price I charge for 1/8" PVC plus the $100 each sheet for the Diebond.
-------------------- John Arnott El Cajon CA 619 596-9989 signgraphics1@aol.com http://www.signgraphics1.com Posts: 1443 | From: El Cajon CA usa | Registered: Dec 1998
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Wayne, your price sounds right to me. You are just cutting & installing. I wouldn't do it less than $3,000, and that's your price. We don't do this just for fun.
-------------------- Buren Harrelson Vinyl Ink Whiteville,NC Posts: 162 | From: North Carolina | Registered: Jun 2008
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John.... Alot of this job will have to be installe dfrom a manlift. Estimating two days to do this job, and $80 per sheet to cut six sheets, that comes to $1480 Is that the total quote you would give for this job? Thanks
-------------------- Wayne Webb Webb Signworks Chipley, FL 850.638.9329 wayne@webbsignworks.com Posts: 7404 | From: Chipley,Florida,United States | Registered: Oct 1999
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Hiya Wayne, How do you plan to install them? Also, do you have access to Gemini's website?
Gemini's laser cut 3/16" thick x 12" tall plain (no mounting hardware) retails for $13.40 per letter. 18" retails for $23.70 and the 30" retails for $57.50.
Shipping, handling and patterns are additional. Mounting hardware is 15% additional or 40% more for double sided tape.
Havin' fun,
Checkers
-------------------- a.k.a. Brian Born www.CheckersCustom.com Harrisburg, Pa Work Smart, Play Hard Posts: 3775 | From: Harrisburg, Pa. U.S.A. | Registered: Nov 1998
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Thanks Brian, I've installed Gemini letters a few times and like them alot.
I would be installing these with self tapping screws, straight into the metal siding. Best I can figure, it would take about 200 screws. I figured the 30" letters @ $50.50 each 18" @ $18.50 12" @ $13.00 All with mounting hardware included. I might be a little high on the installation though. I think I'll drop that to $1000. I figure that to take my time and do it right, it will take about two 8 hour days to make my patterns, load it all up and install.
$2555 plus tax Still too high? I'd bet the client will say so.
-------------------- Wayne Webb Webb Signworks Chipley, FL 850.638.9329 wayne@webbsignworks.com Posts: 7404 | From: Chipley,Florida,United States | Registered: Oct 1999
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Don't Drop your Price. Your making something that will probably out last you.. The last ones you did lasted 17 years. Now your making them out of an even better material that should last 20 years or more if left alone.. Maybe a repaint here and there.
Signs are not a commodity item. Man if everyone keeps dropping prices we might as well start to learn a new saying. "Want fries with that burger" or "Hi, Welcome to Walmart Signs"
posted
set up cut files $150 Cut out letters $1080 install (2 days) $1000 pattern,screws,etc. $200
total $2430
let us know how it goes. If you have a price list for your basic cut out letters in different materials. Send it to me, and I'll send you mine. John
-------------------- John Arnott El Cajon CA 619 596-9989 signgraphics1@aol.com http://www.signgraphics1.com Posts: 1443 | From: El Cajon CA usa | Registered: Dec 1998
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I wish I had a few pics for ya Wayne . . . but I've done 2 particular jobs where I cut the letters out of .080 aluminum with a jig saw, filed all the edges smooth and painted them with an automotive finish and they last seemingly forever. But I prefer to order any kind'a cut letters from Gemini.
I've done other kinds of sign shapes with cut-out aluminum - for example, a 9ft tall crawdad . . . lol. (Will e-mail you a pic )
-------------------- Signs Sweet Home Alabama
oneshot on chat
"Look like a girl, act like a lady, think like a man, work like a dog" Posts: 5758 | From: "Sweet Home" Alabama | Registered: Mar 2003
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This looks like it would only take 1 day to install. I'd make just 2 or 3" strips for the pattern.
-------------------- John Arnott El Cajon CA 619 596-9989 signgraphics1@aol.com http://www.signgraphics1.com Posts: 1443 | From: El Cajon CA usa | Registered: Dec 1998
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posted
I gave him a price of $2325 plus tax He wanted to know what it would be if I used his plywood and paint....again. I told him I could minus off my material but it would be 500 MORE in labor to prime and paint it. I would spray the plywood letters with an HVLP gun, like I did last time....17 years ago. He is coming by Monday to look at the material. Thanks for the help guys!
-------------------- Wayne Webb Webb Signworks Chipley, FL 850.638.9329 wayne@webbsignworks.com Posts: 7404 | From: Chipley,Florida,United States | Registered: Oct 1999
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quote:Originally posted by John Arnott: If you have a price list for your basic cut out letters in different materials. Send it to me, and I'll send you mine. John
John, I've only been running my router for just under a year & haven't set up any kind of standardized pricing. I'm not sure if I would ever make it available to customers, but I would still be interested in what sort of pricing other shops have come up with. Would you mind sharing your price list even though I don't have one?
I gave the guy the price, he came by, looked at the material, then asked how much more it would cost to make the 14 main copy letters 36" instead of 30". I called back later and told him $273 more. First he said WHAT?? Then he said he would check around someplace else.....
-------------------- Wayne Webb Webb Signworks Chipley, FL 850.638.9329 wayne@webbsignworks.com Posts: 7404 | From: Chipley,Florida,United States | Registered: Oct 1999
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Update to the update... He just called back again.... Wants me to go ahead with the larger 36" letters... at my price.
I had already written it off, didn't really relish the idea of being that high off the ground anyway. But business is slow, and I need the work. So I swallowed my pride, said OK and thanked him for the work. Guess I'll be cranking up the Shopbot after all.
[ September 01, 2009, 04:40 PM: Message edited by: Wayne Webb ]
-------------------- Wayne Webb Webb Signworks Chipley, FL 850.638.9329 wayne@webbsignworks.com Posts: 7404 | From: Chipley,Florida,United States | Registered: Oct 1999
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Ahh Heights aren't that bad.. The best rule of thumb I can give you is.. Don't Fall. If you happen to fall.. Don't hit the ground.. If you hit you will develop a new found disease.
"Sudden Decelerated Sickness."
Usually followed up by Hospitalitis which leads to Insurance envy or even worse...
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