posted
Most of the complaints about the decline in the quality of the products from the suppliers put the blame on the gvmt's grip on everything, but here's a case that's due simply to the manufacturer not caring about the customers or his own reputation. I picked up a can of Bull's Eye Shellac at Ace Hardware the other day. No date on the can, unlike previously, so no way to tell how long it was good for. The only thing was a lot number -- S17142D. Does that tell you anything? I asked the manager about it. He didnt know why there was no date, and had no idea what the lot number might mean. So I wrote RustOleum, which now owns Zinnser. Got a reply today, explaining that the lot number translates to: S - ignore it 1 - 2011 7 - July 14 - the 14th 2 - ignore it D - ignore it. Now isnt that much more sensible than putting a date on the can?
-------------------- dennis kiernan independent artist san francisco, calif, usa Posts: 907 | From: san francisco, ca usa | Registered: Feb 2010
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posted
The sandblast stencil I have been using for years always had a powder you could wipe off easily with a wet paper towel. The powder they put on it now, rolls up, clots together and takes much longer to remove. But that is no biggie compared to another thing; the liner used to pull off easily but now, I almost have to hook a team of mules to the stuff to pull it off and, since I have already cut the design on a plotter, it's tenacity makes it difficult to keep it from coming off the transfer tape. I sure hope it doesn't cause any problems come blasting time. But I've prettyt much made up my mind that this will be my last sandblasted job. The router table might be slower, but much less trouble than lugging 100# sacks of sand, fighting that big blasting hose and wrestling with this stencil.
-------------------- Wayne Webb Webb Signworks Chipley, FL 850.638.9329 wayne@webbsignworks.com Posts: 7403 | From: Chipley,Florida,United States | Registered: Oct 1999
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posted
Recently got a batch of dibond from my usual supplier. Almost impossible to remove the protective liner, as Wayne suggested a team of mules required, but hadn't thought of that at the time. Rang my supplier, they followed up by contacting their Chinese supplier and later informed they now had a video available how to remove this stuff. They suggested standing on the sheets while trying to pull liner off them. Also said this would only apply to their current stock and in the future would switch back to original stuff. How helpful was that eh?
-------------------- Kevin Gaffney Artistik Signs Kinnegad County Westmeath Ireland 044-75187 kevingaffney@eircom.net Posts: 628 | From: Ireland | Registered: Oct 2003
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Take a 4.5' length of 3/8'' steel rod, chuck it in an eletric drill. Peel about 2'' of the liner off the Dibond and wrap it around the rod. Crank up the drill and hold on for dear life. It should roll it right off. But I'm with you; it shouldn't be that hard.
-------------------- Wayne Webb Webb Signworks Chipley, FL 850.638.9329 wayne@webbsignworks.com Posts: 7403 | From: Chipley,Florida,United States | Registered: Oct 1999
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posted
most companies these days dont care. Ive noticed a change in PVC for the worse. Im seeing 3/4" warp now, its lighter and you can tell by the way it routes its crap. Suppliers will deny it though
Im sure alot of stuff is coming from china and more will follow. You just thought we lived in a disposable world...just wait theres more to come
-------------------- You ever notice how easily accessible people are when they are requiring your services but once they get invoice you can't reach them anymore
posted
I've also seen the general decline in quality of material - specifically substrates - and it's really disappointing because I would be willing to pay extra to get it right the first time.
If a vendor told me to stand on a sheet of material to pull off the laminate, that company would no longer be my vendor.
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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quote:Originally posted by Brian Dish: Wayne thanks I tried what you posted to take off the protective line! I now need a new window in the shop.)))))))))))
Brian, I hope you're not serious...but remember I did say "hold on for dear life".....I learned the trick from someone here in Letterville, can't recall who at the moment, but I'll take the blame on this one. If your drill has a low torque setting, or variable speed, try setting it to "low", and stay away from fragile objects.
-------------------- Wayne Webb Webb Signworks Chipley, FL 850.638.9329 wayne@webbsignworks.com Posts: 7403 | From: Chipley,Florida,United States | Registered: Oct 1999
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posted
That's a common thing nowadays, Joey. These companies make and distribute crap, and then look you in the eye and lie about it. That creme soda shoul've said "mountain crick water, pure comb honey, ....etc."
It's all about finding ways to make a product cheaper, FOR THEM, that they can pawn off on us, for the same price, or more.
And be very afraid......if a product you've bought for years, suddenly comes to you with a big bright tag on it that says "NEW AND IMPROVED".
posted
Another product we've been buying for several years used to be about as thick as clay and would not pour out of the can. Now it's watered down about enough to spray and the price has gone up about 50% I guess everyone is just trying to "survive". I'm just thankful to be alive and kicking.
-------------------- Wayne Webb Webb Signworks Chipley, FL 850.638.9329 wayne@webbsignworks.com Posts: 7403 | From: Chipley,Florida,United States | Registered: Oct 1999
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