Signs at every turn

There are signs all around our shop. They are on the new easel I built a few weeks ago. Others languish on the table tops, the table saw and around the shop and studio. They are in various stages of completion.
With the Fox & Hounds Pub project proceeding at full speed the signs will soon be needed.  And with a Sign Magic Workshop now less than a week away the signs will be superb eye candy for the students and a little more motivation to get them done sooner rather than later. We’ve been putting in a few hours in the last days to add some color. They are coming together quickly and will be ready by next week for sure.
Stay tuned for more color…
-dan

Published with permission from precisionboard.blogspot.com. Source.

Another and another and…

We are doing four versions and three sizes of the Fox & Hounds dimensional sign for various places in the project. Two are under way, while the last two await a sign permit. The smallest version of the  sign is inside at the end of the entry. We test fit this sign in place, in order to build the barrel underneath. in this shot the tile man is fitting the border around the base. This sign will be returned to the studio shortly to be finished.
The next largest dimensional sign is for above the outside entry, It measures six feet wide and is about the same height. The two large signs for the front and back of the property will measure eight feet wide and be double sided.Each sign involves a fair amount of hand work which is being done a little at a time. First comes the carving, taking away and shaping the 30 lb Precision Board. The first phase was done with the MultiCam router including the lettering and cutting the sign layers to shape. The rest of the shaping is to be done with the die grinder. I’m applying a subtle texture to the sign face and scroll by hand. The ends of the scroll and the woodgrain on the end of the barrel staves is done in the same fashion.
The flag is also shaped by hand as will be the rough form of the fox. All this work will take about 1-2 hours per sign. Then we’ll mix up some Abracadabra Sculpting epoxy and add the dog faces and fox details.

The last stage will be primer, paint and glazing to bring them to their full glory. I’ll be documenting that process here of course.
Stay tuned…
-dan

Published with permission from precisionboard.blogspot.com. Source.

Instant ancient vine (frame work)

Work continues on many fronts on the Fox & Hounds pub project. Today the outside entry received the final coats of base paint, leaving the glazes to be done tomorrow. In the ladies washroom the last of the welded rusty steel stall dividers was installed today. With the bulk of the welding done it was time to do one last task before that equipment goes home once more at long last. The primary task fo today was to weld up the framework for the thick vines. 
It is my bet that at least one person will lean on, swing or climb on the vine in the next years. That means it needs to be sturdy. REAL STURDY. Anchor points were drilled into the floor to anchor the base. I bent and positioned a single rod for each vine from the ground, then screwed in heavy lag bolts at key points ensuring the vines will grow for many years to come. The vines intertwine around the brick post and wander up to the beam above, then down towards the beer dispenser below. A video screen will be mounted to the end, positioned perfectly for reference of the bar tender to access.
The next step will be to wrap the welded armature with diamond lath and then using sculpting epoxy to form the weathered and twisted grape vine. Stay tuned for progress.
-dan

Published with permission from precisionboard.blogspot.com. Source.

Sign design in a different light

When most sign makers think of a sign their thinking is limited to the flat substrate and what they might stick onto it. At our shop we think of a sign as anything that attracts attention to our customer’s business, product or service.
In the entry hall of the Fox & Hounds Pub we have a project that closely resembles a sign under most definitions. The sign is dimensional of course for that is our style. We take it further than that however. The base of the sign, a large barrel tied the sign into the theme of the restaurant and helps tell the story. The brick wall behind the sign also was part of our work. It is actually the back of a seating booth in the pub. The curved brickwork mirrors the extensive carved concrete brickwork we did elsewhere in the restaurant. The large beams overhead also are part of our contract. 
But there is more to the ‘sign’ we are creating. My design also included the fancy tile work on the floor. The work was to be done by another subcontractor but is an important part of the design. The lighting above is placed and focused to show the sign in the best possible light. Everything works together to bring attention to our customer’s brand. This is an effective and memorable sign.
-dan

Published with permission from precisionboard.blogspot.com. Source.

Mantle installation

Monday morning started out with a bang. A new hire, Annie, started this morning. When I arrived at the Fox & Hounds Pub she was waiting and eager to start. Our task was to install the routed mantle on the fireplace and finish framing the upper portion of the fireplace feature. There was lots of figuring to be done, coordination with the electrician and other trades. We would be working inside the pub which was operating. We were the entertainment for the day.
Annie knew the tools well and had done carpentry work before, but never anything quite like this. Nothing was straight and we worked without levels or straight edges. Everything was built by eye. She caught on quickly. While I built one side she would follow along on the other, matching my creations. 
The curves were gentle enough that I didn’t need to use the heating pad to bend the Precision Board. I had milled the pieces to be 1/2 – 3/4″ thick at most and so they took the bends without breaking. We used PB Bond-240 and it held securely in no time. I’ll be using the die grinder to tidy up the corners and match the woodgrain as it transitions from the front to the top and bottom. The curved mantle absolutely works with the curved roof above. the wall of the upper fireplace bows out about 6″ and the mantle is almost 14″ deep. The london roofline above is now almost tied into the bottom portion. and it WORKS!
We were almost done before the electrician turned on the power to the lights and there was instant magic. In the next days we’ll staple on the diamond lath and then start in on the carved concrete ‘brick work’. By next week it should be looking like the magical fireplace I designed, what now seems like ages ago.
The guests love the family crest and are curious as to the translation of the latin phrase on the front. We happily translated it for them when they asked. The crest is suspended about four inches off the back face of the sunken circle and throws a marvelous shadow while it catches the light in a spectacular fashion. It will look even better when it is painted up and then aged appropriately. I can hardly wait to see it all done!
It was a fun day with lots of progress. 
-dan

Published with permission from precisionboard.blogspot.com. Source.