The supply truck came by this morning to drop off some paint and while they were here I went through their brush box for some new quills. (I only have a hundred or so in varying shades of decline, heaven only knows why I need any more!)
The pickins were kinda slim but I did manage to find some to fit my needs. I have a preference for the Luco brand of brushes, at least in the smaller sizes. My local supplier carries this brand along with Langnickel which I think is an OK brush in sizes above 12, below that they don't feel or work right for me. I wish they had some of the other brands but since I refuse to buy a brush that I can't hold in my hand I'm stuck with these two choices. Here are some of the things I look for in a good quill brush...... Make sure that the quill is attached straight to the handle. I look inside the quill to see if the hair is well tied and glued close to the handle. I always look to see how well the wire ties are tied and if the tie is facing toward the hair of the brush. (if not the wire will always catch on the rag when wiping out the brush) I look to see if the length of the hair is appropiate to the size of the brush. I won't buy a brush dry because I can't see the edge that way. If allowed I will oil a brush to look at its edge to see if it has a nice straight flat square edge. If they won't let me use oil then I will use water, spinning it out as soon as I have a good look. I like to feel the hair while the brush is dry, before oiling to see if it is the right kind of soft to me, with the right kind of snap also. I always oil a new brush well before using to keep any paint fron getting into the quill and drying.
I hope this is helpful to those of you that don't know, and for those of you that do, what do you do to look at new quill brushes before buying and what kind are you using?
------------------ Terry Teague James River Signs Reeds Spring, MO tlteague@tri-lakes.net
Posts: 434 | From: Reeds Spring | Registered: May 1999
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I won't buy one unless I inspect it either. I use lucos,lanickles,scharff,french masters. All for the job they are most suited for.I too wet the hairs to get a feel and a look at what I am buying.My supplier doesn't like it after it comes out of my mouth,and I am checking for the cut! I do the same when buying strippers as each is also made for a different kind of job If nobody uses a brush anymore,Then I must be a nobody
------------------ PKing is Pat King of King Sign Design in McCalla,Alabama The Professor of SIGNOLOGY
Posts: 3113 | From: Pompano Beach, FL. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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I can't speak for the other brands but I do know Mack. I see them at most of our live meets and they advertise here at the website. Checkout there Supplier Database Page at http://www.letterhead.com/sdb.cgi?Shop=893
Seems like a great time to do a step by step on using the Supplier Database. Here's how I did it.
1. I wanted to know where I could find out who sold brushes so I first went to the Supplier Database. You can get there by clicking on the "Suppliers" icon in the black frame at the top of this BullBoard or by using the Suppliers link in the black frame below.
2. I simply typed brushes in the name box. That's it! Don't worry about selecting a catagory or Country. These are just options for those who want more specific info.
3. My search brought up Mack Brush. At present, they are the only ones that have shown any interest in those that frequent this website.
Keep in mind that Sign Suppliers also carry lettering quills. To find them, just select Sign Supplies from the Catagory drop down list. In most cases you don't even have to hit the "Search Now" button. A java app does that automatically for you. A list of Sign Suppliers should appear. Click on any of interest to learn more. It's that easy!
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I bought some Mack brushes at Mazeppa. Some of the 'liners'. I thought they said they were part synthetic, but I can't remember. At any rate, I like the way they don't droop like a long-haired liner normally does. It makes outlining a little quicker and easier, since you don't have to compensate for the 'trajectory' of the droop.
This isn't really related, but I also prefer a long-necked beer bottle over a can.
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I'd just like to say, as a supporter of this sight, that it's great to come home after eight hours of computor cut vinyl and know that folks out there still use brushes! While I do spend most of my free time learning how to use the various pinstriping brushes, I've also purchased a full range of lettering and outling brushes / quills, an I get the most pleasure out of successfully producing a painted version of a font that looks better than the ones I cut out on the plotter all day, what a thrill! By the way, if you haven't orderd the Auto Art Magazine from Bob Bond as yet, your really missing out on some great stuff, including brush care and all that extra stuff that your brushes can be used for. Nothing like stoking up the old fire that still burns in your viens! Robin
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Posts: 282 | From: Fallon, Nevda, USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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After many years of brushes I prefer the Mack quills. They are the most like the way they used to make them years ago. One of the ways I check them out is by bending the hairs back to see how full they fill the quill. If you see any space, you are sure to have a shedder. The liners are also much more easy to execute scroll work with compared to a striper. Bill Riedel The old signpainter New Jersey
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Posts: 2953 | From: Little Ferry, New Jersey, USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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After looking at the display of quills Glawson had out at the PSS meeting two weeks ago, the best quills I've seen in years were those black handled French Master's. The browns looked really hot.
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"The codfish lays ten thousand eggs, the homely hen lays one the codfish never cackles to tell you what she's done And so we shun the codfish while the lowly hen we prize Which only goes to show you that it pays to advertise!" *^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^ Ogden Nash
The Sign Shop Mendocino, CA.
Posts: 6713 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Bought my first mac that wasn't a sword striper at Mazeppa...You guys gotta get one! It's the new " Swirley -Q " outliner. Cool Cool scroll work brush! Have been buying brushes at Dick Blick store but their supply has been weak the last few years. Also can't stand the sizing that some brushes come with. Have two flats now that are useless because I can't seem to get all of the crap out of the hairs!
------------------ John Byrd Ball Ground Georgia letrhed1@tds.net so happy I gotta sit on both my hands to keep from wavin' at everybody!
Posts: 741 | From: Ball Ground, Georgia, USA | Registered: May 1999
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John, a last desperate try to get the crap outta them flats: Soak them in HOT soapy water for 10 minutes then scub them on the bottom of the sink to loosen the last of the goop. Flush them out well with warm water and squeeze them almost dry, then reshape them. Usually werks fer me
------------------ Si Allen #562 La Mirada, CA. USA (714) 521-4810 ICQ # 330407 "SignPainters do It with Longer Strokes!"
Brushasaurus on Chat
Posts: 8827 | From: La Mirada, CA, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Well, as you can imagine, its hard to get the reps to bring alot of selection when it comes to brushes up here in Maine. Since they only bring up a few brushes to choose from, I've gone to ordering from Mack. And I agree with John Byrd, you have to try that Curly-Q brush, you'll fall in love with it.
------------------ John Novicki John Novicki Signs Minot, ME novicki@exploremaine.com
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You're right Rick, about the brushes that Rick Glawson and Lola had at the San Jose Letterhead meet. I managed to drop a few bucks at their booth before I got out of there.
Jerry Mathel Jerry Mathel Signs Grants Pass, Oregon jmathel@grantspass.com
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Posts: 916 | From: Grants Pass, OR USA | Registered: Dec 1998
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