posted
I don't know about the rest of you guys but I built a real good shed over mine.... LOL!
-------------------- Bruce Bowers
DrCAS Custom Lettering and Design Saint Cloud, Minnesota
"Things work out best for the people who make the best of the way things work out." - Art Linkletter Posts: 6464 | From: Saint Cloud, Minnesota | Registered: Jun 1999
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-------------------- Richard Bustamante Signs in the Pines www.signsinthepines.com Posts: 781 | From: Nevada City, California | Registered: Nov 1998
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Remember to lubricate your tool when needed. This is a basic, yet important step towards better tool condition.
If someone else will be handling the tool, feel free to show them the proper use for the tool and how to handle it. Never abuse, or let anyone else damage, your tool.
Never store your tool in an unsafe place. This could damage the tool and you could have difficulty replacing it later. Be responsible with the safety of your tool. Proper storage of a tool is key. It's never good to waste time, no matter how brief, jockeying a tool out of a box or tight container. Make romm for your tool.
Attachments should never be seperated from the tool, for obvious reasons. No one wants to lose attachments needlessly. (Certain sizes don't apply.)
No tool is perfect, but if you learn how to use it well, it can be a wonderful thing for you and whoever you use the tool with.
Have a nice day Rapid
-------------------- Ray Rheaume Rapidfire Design 543 Brushwood Road North Haverhill, NH 03774 rapidfiredesign@hotmail.com 603-787-6803
I like my paint shaken, not stirred. Posts: 5648 | From: North Haverhill, New Hampshire | Registered: Apr 2003
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posted
Well seriously folks, I thought Rick had a good idea in his reply to Chris' Craft post.
quote: Next question....how does a craftsman care for his tools?
Reflecting on that, one could always just keep their tools in the package and never use them.
CrazyJack Wills & I split up a card when I apprenticed under him twenty-four years ago at the age of twenty-four. I saved the single 00 sword to remind me of that great time. We worked together for about a year as I remember until life moved Jack on. I should have paid more attention as Jack had a whole world of talent & experience to offer. What can I say, I was twenty-four, life was standing still. Another year later & I found myself working with two more very talented guys, Paul Berkshire & Dan Stark. All of these guys influenced my habits in taking care of your equipment, they were all meticulous when it came to brush care. But none went quite this far.
This would be Pat King's kit at the Letter Rip meet earlier this month. That's taking care of your tools.
As the back of the Mack Brush card shows, treat the tools with care & they will take care of you.
I kept a travel kit and a shop kit. I just retired the shop kit a few weeks ago, it's been sitting there for 16yrs with little to no use. I looked at it often and oiled the brushes up now and then. It was mostly just in the way at work, so I brought it home, gonna break them out and start wearing them out playing.
I think they've held up pretty well for so long out of use.
Now, say what you will about taking care of you tools. I bet there is bit more than a good wash and oil soak involved in plotter maintenance.
I'd also bet the carvers here could spread some wisdom around about tool care.
-------------------- Dave Parr Sign Painter USA Posts: 709 | From: USA | Registered: May 2003
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Here's a shot of some brushes, given to me a couple of summers ago , by Len Baker. He lived four houses down the street and retired them to my care.
Len hadn't used them in years, but kept them all in neatsfoot oil. Occasionally I pull one or 2 out and clean them up. The Langnickle quills havent held up as well over the years, but the Grey Flash brushes are great.
A few months ago, I was terrible at keeping my equipment in good condition, but after a couple of meets, I have a greater appreciation of the value of maintainance. I just bought a new toolbox and am more diligent about keeping brushes clean and conditioned, paint cans neater, airbrush tips organized and have refit my shop to be more efficient.
Just another good reason to go to a live meet.
Now I almost look like I know what I'm doing. Rapid
-------------------- Ray Rheaume Rapidfire Design 543 Brushwood Road North Haverhill, NH 03774 rapidfiredesign@hotmail.com 603-787-6803
I like my paint shaken, not stirred. Posts: 5648 | From: North Haverhill, New Hampshire | Registered: Apr 2003
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posted
Some shops I've been in had paind blobs on the table saw, or chisels laying out banging into wrenches, or brushes that were used weeks ago still sitting in a can of thinner. When I look around my shop, I find the area around my computer is cluttered and the keyboard is dirty, reflecting a disrespect for them as tools. My chisels are all honed and hanging in their slots on my carving bench. I was wondering if when we enter the spaces of craftsmen we respect, can we see a relationship they have with their tools that might look different from the manner this is handled in the average shop that focuses on making a product to sell. Also, does a craftsman want his work to become a collector piece, something held by someone that really appreciates it, or is it something to pour your heart into and sell to whomever gives the money and to never be seen again?
-------------------- The SignShop Mendocino, California
Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. — Charles Mingus Posts: 6806 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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