posted
Friends every time i open a signcraft i see 'em. Sandblasted signs. I love 'em. What do i need to know to get started? I think a local monument company will do my blasting. I'm thinking hdu because of the price. I want keep my price in line with my market. Any advise?
------------------ Scott
Posts: 52 | From: Lily, Ky, USA | Registered: Aug 2000
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Get a good compessor, sandblast pot and some underwear with holes in it. Every time I blast, now matter how I seal up my clothes I always end up with sand everywhere. And I mean everywhere.
On a serious note, I found a Body shop in my are that lets me use his set up from time to time. My shop compressor and my little sand blaster could't blow out a candle.
But you will need a good plotter that CAN cut mask, get a few samples of HDU, redwood, cedar. Try to blast samples first. I like wood better than foam anyday. I just blasted about 40 foam signs double sided and it does go quick but if you stop the side to side motion, you'd blow a hole clean through the stuff. On foam I was told to use High tack Mask, we use Anchor Brand. But on bare wood, such as redwood you want a medium tack Also if you do blast yourself I don't think I mentioned a Hood for your head. But then you would find that one out real quick.
Have fun and dive right in, it's easier than you think.
------------------ Bob Rochon Creative Signworks Millbury, MA bob@creativesignworks.com
"Some people's kids"
[This message has been edited by Bob Rochon (edited August 14, 2000).]
[This message has been edited by Bob Rochon (edited August 14, 2000).]
Posts: 5149 | From: Millbury, Mass. U.S. | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
Silica sand is extremely toxic. I've been using it on redwood and HDU for several years WITH a pressurized hood. I'm still worried. I've been told by suppliers in the industry that even your clothes are toxic after blasting. You take off your hood when done and there is a swirling cloud of dust all around you. Free silica is also released into the air while filling the blaster pot.
I've built a sandblast room that I will be using aluminum oxide for blasting HDU.
There are wholesalers that will blast your sign at a reasonable cost. They'll finish the sign completely or ship it to you blasted so you can paint it yourself.
Good luck finding someone like a monument blaster that is willing to put up with your HDU or redwood dust, do it when you need it done, or do it to your satisfaction. I tried 3 different blasters and the second sign I did myself was done better than any of these "experienced" blasters.
If you want to do it yourself, and you want to use HDU, whether you use SignFoam or Precision Board, there is very good information in a catalog made by SignFoam on the minimum equipment requirements needed to get started. They will send it to you if you call 800-338-4030. Also check out the Precision Board web site. Alot of great information there and PB is a merchant here.
------------------ Dave Sherby "Sandman" SherWood Sign & Graphic Design Crystal Falls, MI 49920 906-875-6201 ICQ: 21604027 sherwood@up.net
Posts: 5397 | From: Crystal Falls, MI USA | Registered: Apr 1999
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posted
If you have someone who is willing and capable of blasting for you then go for it. I use a monument guy to do mine. I could not justify buying the equipment and having all that mess for what I pay him. If you are going to try redwood and are laminating your own boards, use quarter sawn or verticle grain. Look into West system epoxy for joining. You will want this epoxy in your shop for a bunch of other applications anyway. Its uses are endless. If you don't have a plotter which will cut stencil then you can always plot a paper pattern and spray glue it to your stenciled blank and handcut or sub out the stencil cutting to anoher shop. I use sikkens cetol for my wood. Don't use varnish because it will flake off eventually. HDU is great stuff to, but use a high buildup primer and then topcoat with whatever you like to use. Have fun
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Posts: 100 | From: north gower, ont., canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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