posted
Can anyone point me to where I could find some "how to" stuff about sandblasting, if that's not infringing on the talent. I can figure out the basics, but everything has a catch or two and would like to shorten the learning curve.
Thanks for the help!
-------------------- Chuck Gallagher Pro Graphics Signs by Design Cabool, MO 417.962.3291 "I grew up in Letterville" Posts: 776 | From: Cabool, Mo. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
I have a book here called Commercial Sign Techniques, which has a good "how-to" by James Mitchell, and a good gallery of pics by him and Signit, there are other how-to's by Nancy and Nöella from Signit on dimensional work.
Well to answer your question, I live in a small town (small dollars) and have always wanted to do the high end stuff, but most can't afford or want it. Now I may have an opportunity to try this. So, before I try selling the job I needed to find out if I could do it, ie: tools and equipment vs. cost of the sign. Anyway, having never done it and knowing that there are always tricks and tips I was hoping for something along those lines. I just don't know how "design specific" such a blasted HDU design needs to be. Like don't have a line element less than 1/2" wide because it will shrink and break. Stuff like that if that made sense. Or don't blast more than 1" deep on a 3" board or 15lb over something else or fabricating for strength on an installation. That type of stuff!
-------------------- Chuck Gallagher Pro Graphics Signs by Design Cabool, MO 417.962.3291 "I grew up in Letterville" Posts: 776 | From: Cabool, Mo. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
Are youi talking just about Wood? or Glass too? I do Glass Carving and Glue Chipped Glass. For reference material***Glastar in Chatsworth California. Glass is completly Different that wood , I just send wood out to be blasted or carved Its Cheaper.
Regards Danny
-------------------- Danny Bussell Tujunga, California
Bootleg on Chat
"Keep The Rubber Side Down" Posts: 213 | From: Tujunga, California | Registered: Mar 2003
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Actually about HDU this time, but would like to try glue chipping too! Thanks for hookin' me up!
-------------------- Chuck Gallagher Pro Graphics Signs by Design Cabool, MO 417.962.3291 "I grew up in Letterville" Posts: 776 | From: Cabool, Mo. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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-------------------- Mario G. Lafreniere (Fergie) J&N Signs Winter did show up! Posts: 1257 | From: Chapleau, Ontario | Registered: Jun 1999
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-------------------- Chuck Gallagher Pro Graphics Signs by Design Cabool, MO 417.962.3291 "I grew up in Letterville" Posts: 776 | From: Cabool, Mo. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
Go to www.hartcoservice.com there is a "how to" menu with the top choice being sandblasting. There is complete video footage to help you through the process. A VHS copy of the video is available for $15.
posted
One of your main concerns will be the blasting. If you don't have a huge compressor and sand pot, there's not much point in doing your own blasting.
Most likely, there is a sandblaster in your area with some experience in blasting signs. There's a guy in my town who does it for several sign companies, but he doesn't do the greatest job. We like 'em deep.
At the shop I work at we do it ourselves. We have a 6lb pot with the whole rig. We rent a large industrial compressor for one day when we blast. We blast about once or twice a month.
I wouldn't wan't anything less if I were doing wood. You could probably get away with a bit less for HDU, but It wouldn't be very fun.
I love making sandblasted signs but the blasting part is no picnic. You can get hurt.
-------------------- Glenn S. Harris
....back in the sign trade full time. Posts: 293 | From: Baton Rouge, LA, USA | Registered: Jul 2001
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Thanks for the link Ben and thanks for the tips Glenn. It's sounding more like I just need to let out the blasting or have it routed.
Take Care,
-------------------- Chuck Gallagher Pro Graphics Signs by Design Cabool, MO 417.962.3291 "I grew up in Letterville" Posts: 776 | From: Cabool, Mo. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Cant' load the Hartco service page. Anyone else having trouble?
-------------------- Chuck Gallagher Pro Graphics Signs by Design Cabool, MO 417.962.3291 "I grew up in Letterville" Posts: 776 | From: Cabool, Mo. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
Hi Chuck, Being from a small town myself, I know it isn't always convenient or possible to have your work subbed out. Three years ago I was in the same space you are in. I wanted to do some higher end work, but didn't have the resources. I managed to stumble through it and I now blast glass, HDU, wood - even did some small granite and marble headstones. My equipment is pretty simple and probably much more time consuming than subbing it out, but I find pleasure in the learning process and completing the entire project myself. It can be done, but it takes a little courage and patience. Most of my initial projects are done as gifts for family and friends, but they have all turned out well enough that they could have been for clients. I just find that there is a little less stress involved in learning new techniques that way. Hartco has a sample pack that includes large enough pieces that you can actually use them for small projects and they offer a number of different masks for different substrates. I guess I'd say go for it - prepare a few projects and rent or borrow a blaster & compressor for a day to see what you can do. It won't take you long to figure out if it is somewhwere you want to go. If you go to a countertop or flooring place you can usually get some small scrap samples for next to nothing - or even ask if they are interested in having their logo blasted in some of their materials - ceramic or marble tiles can be purchased for a few bucks apiece. Precision board and signfoam will both send you samples in different densities that are about 10" - 12" square. Try blasting some cedar fence boards or other economical lumber. I srarted out with a $30 gravity fed blaster, an old 3 HP compressor and a sandbasting booth made of duct tape and coroplast. One word of warning though - get a good air filtered mask and use the aluminum oxide beads - they are more expensive but way safer than messing with silica sand. Get your feet wet, experiment and have some fun. It helps to fill the slow times in the small towns.
-------------------- “Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?” -Winnie the Pooh & A.A. Milne
Kelly Thorson Kel-T-Grafix 801 Main St. Holdfast, SK S0G 2H0 ktg@sasktel.net Posts: 5496 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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-------------------- Chuck Gallagher Pro Graphics Signs by Design Cabool, MO 417.962.3291 "I grew up in Letterville" Posts: 776 | From: Cabool, Mo. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
Try contacting a local monument place to see if they would blast it for you and don't be afraid. As long as you are using at 15lb density it will be kind to you. I tried 10lb the first time that I blasted and even tough I was using a small compressor, I blast too much away too fast.
-------------------- Laura Butler Vision Graphics & Sign 4479 Welch Rd Attica, Mi 48412 Posts: 2855 | From: Attica, Mi, USA | Registered: Nov 2000
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