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supplier please of good wooden a boards?
Hi – after much inspiration at sign uk, I’m trying to find a good supplier of wooden a boards and chalkboards with a traditional type of look, got plenty of info for metal ones but I’m going to have a look at producing some pub signs for an ‘oldy worldy’ pub up this way using some new chalkboard art stuff i bought at the expo. any help greatly appreciated. neli.
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13 Replies
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Glad to see you got back home okay 😀
There is some info http://www.uksignboards.com/viewtopic.p … en&start=0 that might help.
I’ve started making my own following Steve B’s advice, but there’s a strong possibility you may want to wait a month or so before you try it NeliJane (I remember your name, but I can’t spell it, D’oh!)
Be great to see what you do with the chalkboard graphics 😀 Are you thinking of the menu boards that hang inside foyers and restaurants as well?
Cheers, Dewi
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Hi Dewi, cheers for that, I’m off to have a look now. Thought what I might do is put together a brochure thingy with traditional chalkboards, inside signs, menu boards and vehicle graphics all with the chalkboard theme and then mailshot all the pubs and restaurants in my area. Its something to do whilst I might pop fitting any more vans etc! I’m really over the moon with the chalkboard stuff, it looks great and it’s just something a little bit different to offer. I might have a go myself at some original chalky stuff too, can’t be that hard!! nelijane
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Dewi, had a look, some are great but a little pricey and I may just have a go at making my own (seems to be the general consensus) have you got any tips? did you actually make any yourself or did you get your joiner to do it? I’ve never made anything out of wood before, not even schooly stuff so please be as basic as you can. nelijane
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Just inbetween jobs at the shop so I’ll post more later.
Very basic wooden A board, get your local joinery shop to cut you down the timber to size if it makes it easier, I make mine 36″ x 24″. I’ve made some myself, but I got a quote from a local joiner who will make them up for £20 each if I order 3 or more, so I’ve ordered 5 in straight away. The legs are 2″ x 2″ planed timber, and I either use a piano hinge (long continuous hinge) or standard 3″ door hinges. I add a handle to the top which is made of ally, just makes it easier for the customer. Border wise I either use ogee like Steve B. or I use 1″ x 2″ planed timber, mitred at the corners just the same.
Once all the timber is cut (if a joinery shop does it for you its even easier) its just a case of undercoating twice (sanding it down between coats) then your top coat in whatever colour you want. Then a few screws and its all together. You can by a lever arm to go between the legs to stop them splaying, or you can use a chain. The lever arms are a tad more expensive but alot more effective at holding them rigid 😀
Like I say, I’ll post more later, but thats the basics of it 😀
Cheers, Dewi
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Hi Neli
I don’t know if this is what your looking for re. traditional pub signs/chalkboards but have a look at http://www.grafityp.co.uk go to blank signs. Although these are mouded material they can be painted, possibly with blackboard paint.
Jim -
Following on from earlier, this is how I’ve made mine:
I start with a 1/2 inch board, marine ply atm, but I’m looking into the medite (exterior MDF) that Steve B uses. I cut two of these at 36″ x 24″ and undercoat them both sides, sand them, then undercoat then sand.
I take some 2″ x 2″ planed timber, but 4 x lengths at 42″ and another 4 lengths at 20″, then screw them together into 2 frames. I then undercoat them in the same way I undercoated the main boards.
I lay both of these frames onto the workbench, top side to top side, and fit the hinges (I’ve illustrated door hinges, but you can use a piano hinge if its easier)
Laying the 2 boards underneath my frame, lining them up and checking they are square, I drill, countsink and screw through my 2″ frame and into the boards. Providing you countersink deep enough, this can be done with 2″ screws.
At this point, I’d turn the paint the whole frame/board with the colour I want, allow it to dry, then lay it board side up and letter it. After this I would then attach either a lever hinge (might be called something different where you are, but tell the store what you want it for and they’ll know what you mean) or a chain. A hinge is better for rigidity, but a chain would do the job.
All thats left is add a handle to either the top or the side and your A Board is ready to deliver 😀 You can add fancy borders with the various patterns of timber, or flat timber or even aluminium strips, just depends how you want it look.
Thats how I do it anyway. I know its not a brilliant description and I’ve probably missed a few bits out, but its 1:15am and I’m tired 😉 Thats my excuse anyway 😀
Cheers, Dewi
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that is absolutley brilliant! thank you very much, i shall be endeavouring to make my own next week sometime when i start maternity leave! i feel a bit guilty though that you’re up at 1.15am writing me instructions on making a boards! i’m going to print all that out and keep it on my wall, i’ll post a picture of the results!
jim, i did check out the grafityp site and their sign blanks are really interesting, i’ve used their on line info request and eagerly await prices etc, cheers.
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No worries 😀 Glad its helped a little 😀
I’m still at the shop atm, trying to finish 2 magnetic signs 🙁 but I’ll see if I can dig out some info on the different borders you can use when I get a mo 🙂 Steve B uses ogee and it looks fantastic, gives the boards a traditional feel in a way.
Chuffed I’ll be on your wall 😀 Mind the bump when you’re making the board though, how long is it now?
Cheers, Dewi
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bump has 4 weeks to go, due may 10th although anytime now would be ok too! is the border that you are on about like a frame to go on the inside? you are now on my wall!
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Yes, its like a picture frame if that makes sense. You don’t have to add it, I’ve just made one today that doesn’t have a border, nor does it have the frame to it, just 2 boards with a piano hinge at the top. I’ve added a chain instead of a lever arm as well. 😀
You can play around with designs of A boards to your hearts content though, there are so many different ways to make one, I saw some at SignUK that were made from metal and plastic, very effective. Hopefully I’ll have a few this next week or so, so I’ll post one lettered up. I’ll need one as an example for the shop.
Good luck with said bump 😀 He/she will be making signs before you know it 😀
Cheers, Dewi
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Glad you were able to take the time to help out with illustrations Dewi
Sometimes we write about a subject but actually seeing the diagrams helps a lot
As you say the variations on your theme can go on.
For e.g. if you don’t want the hassle of ply you can simply use forex or dibond on the 2″ x 2″
Its good to see that folks want to get back to the traditional boards with ogee archi’ as well.
They do have a lot of character
John
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I got lucky this year with the wooden aboards, an older friend of mine who is a dab hand with the old joinery started making wooden aboards. They are really good ones too, he’s made them so they support a 610x810mm 5mm piece of foamex. £35.00. I’ll put a post on the SHOW US YOUR STUFF forum as l can’t figure out how to attatch a pic to this.
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having discovered exterior grade mdf board, the world of a boards and such like seems to be my oyster! I’m shocked by the quality and huge price of a boards available from suppliers and traditional looks so much better than plastic or metal, i reckon! Having ‘browsed’ my local timber yard as well, I’ve found that the stuff used for dado rail could be incorporated as a border. As soon as I’ve made one up (with the help of your pattern, dewi) I’ll post it! Nelijane
ps – still looking for an exterior wood paint that isn’t vile gloss (hate the stuff) any ideas?
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