[Andrew John Sawyer]

Thanks guys, I knew you’d do it!

[Andrew John Sawyer]

Thanks for that, I’ve found Trident Foams http://www.tridentfoams.co.uk who may be able to supply, their products seem less dense though.

[Andrew John Sawyer]

What are you getting Ashley? We originally purchased a Gerber Solara UV which was great but our main customer upped their required output so we bit the bullet and are getting an Inca Spyder 320 8 colour with the white option, which is a lot quicker (We have a Solara for sale – great price – see Sales). Good Luck!

[Andrew John Sawyer]

Hi, we have a Solara UV flatbed printer for sale. We still use it but need to get one that prints white. £15k ovno

[Andrew John Sawyer]

Most flatbeds with the capability of laying down a white then the colours would do it, Inca Spyder, Spuhl Virtu to name two. Only trouble is finding one… we are probably getting a Spyder but not until the New Year.

[Andrew John Sawyer]

Sorry Steve, sold it last week! Got a nice flatbed printer for sale though…

[Andrew John Sawyer]

Sorry – blonde moment, I meant a post 3 headings below yours on the main menu.

[Andrew John Sawyer]

mod-edit see board rules

[Andrew John Sawyer]

No question, use Dibond/Alubond then you can sleep at night, if you like insist you remove it and re-use. Job done!

[Andrew John Sawyer]

Hi guys – we bought for about £33k, comes with onyx rip which we’ve upgraded, running costs are really good – cartridges seem to last really well, running cost are about £2.50p/metre + substrate so we can charge about £30p/m. No real problems, Spandex are helpful – I’d check out the after sales/backup in Spain.

[Andrew John Sawyer]

Hi guys thanks for the input, I’ve contacted BBSA and have some info. Tony – I’ll give you a call when I have more info – cheers!

[Andrew John Sawyer]

Hi, especially Angel who was asking about this machine, we’ve had our Solara up and running now for a couple of weeks and apart from a small hardware glitch it has been very impressive, runs all day, seems economical on ink, easy to use and it’s probably almost paid for itself! Steve Pridham and the team at Gerber are very helpful and solved our glitch problem over the phone. We have yet to try other materials apart from foamex as the machine has been so busy. Any of you that saw it at the Gerber Open Day must have been impressed!

[Andrew John Sawyer]

That face looks frighteningly familiar – I take mine black, no sugar when you made the coffee next.

Don’t worry people, Darren works downstairs, I’m allowed to be mean…

[Andrew John Sawyer]

They are to display the menu’s above the counter, etc. Heat not an issue -we have installed 100’s. Foamex because they are cheaper and lighter than anything else. We have a company at present but they are not consistent.

[Andrew John Sawyer]

Hi – we’ve got one but not yet up and running. We took our files to Gerber and spent all day testing it – excellent results. Will keep you posted when engineer has been!

[Andrew John Sawyer]

We bought a Gerber Solara UV flatbed printer but have only just moved into larger premises so still awaiting engineer to setup! Cost about 32K but was very impressed with the results when we visited Gerber. Stacks up very well against the more expensive models. Also has 2 extra colours to give signs real punch. Looked at cheaper models but not that impressed, but all depends on what you want it for!

[Andrew John Sawyer]

Our local bodyshop does gel coating to protect the signs – works with vinyl on dibond or digiprints a treat. I assume most bodyshops can offer a similar service, not that expensive either.

[Andrew John Sawyer]

Thanks J4mes – I’ll get onto that straight away – much appreciated!

[Andrew John Sawyer]

Shane – that would be the next logical step…I’ve been looking at that option. Thanks.

[Andrew John Sawyer]

Thanks guys – I have used the rebated style before and also the clips that Rob mentioned – perhaps I’ll have to go back to the rebate – its just that the volume we do, getting our supplier to rebate every joining edge will cost a fortune!

[Andrew John Sawyer]

Robert Horne do mirror Dibond which looks great…

[Andrew John Sawyer]

Thanks Martin – I had some bits from them but this must be more recent – cheers!

[Andrew John Sawyer]

Thanks for the input. Height is not an issue and I have budgeted for extraction. The reason for the wallsaw is I have just bought a Solara UV flatbed printer and we can print images several up and cut between thus giving us more flexibility. If I put a sheet of MDF behind the opal/foamex and just nick into it I should minimise any splintering as this will hold it rigid.

[Andrew John Sawyer]

Try Signs of the Times – http://www.signsofthetimes.co.uk – 01525 874185. They supply cast polyurethane signs – I’ve used them on a new development in Dorset and the are the dogs…

[Andrew John Sawyer]

How about a slimline edgelit lightbox suspended on wires – like estate agent’s have? More expensive but looks the dogs…

[Andrew John Sawyer]

Thanks Dave, we’re going down shortly and will ask all the embarrassing questions, we’re also bombarding them with files for our top clients. Watch this space…

[Andrew John Sawyer]

Ink costs are ok – apparently the machine has been developed for signmakers as opposed to designers – hence the punchier colour gamut.

I see this as a step into flatbed printing and a probable upgrade in a year’s time.

[Andrew John Sawyer]

You’re all right of course – I was a muppet! Good to get it off my chest!!!

John, I’d love to name names but it’s probably not allowed on here – but he’s past the big roundabout towards Homebase but before you get to the traffic lights – on the right, down a side street. I’m worried that he’ll give the signmaker he rents from a bad name though, as he’s a really great guy and has a good solid business – that’s what attracted the parasite to him.

I’ll go and lie down now!!!

[Andrew John Sawyer]

Marcella – you are so right – hope others are more cautionary than I was! Thought I knew him.

[Andrew John Sawyer]

Hi Dave – That’s what we find… we use the HP mainly for indoor, backlit applications and printing on textured materials like canvass which means we then have to use substrates which are more expensive (Backlit @ £12.60pm and Canvass @ £23.33pm). Again it’s all down to punting around and getting prices and terms that suit you.

The Grenadier we use for wraps, fascias and exterior applications.

(These prices are what we charge – not what we buy for.)

[Andrew John Sawyer]

You lucky b*gger! How do you like it? We are looking at flatbed printers.

We would cost on our Grenadier as follows:-
Digivinyl @ £10 per linear metre
Solvent inks @ £18.00 per square metre
Laminate @ £10 per linear metre
Labour @ £25 per hour
Studio/computer @ £35 per hour

On our HP5500 we would charge UV ink @ £15 per square metre

All these costs depend on what you buy in for and should reflect a % of wastage.

Hope this helps…

[Andrew John Sawyer]

Thanks Guy – I knew someone would be on the ball. Impressive for a Friday.

[Andrew John Sawyer]

Hi Rob – thanks for those points and duly noted. The concern with the heads being uncovered was that it is maybe more open to dirt and mechanism damage. We can always clone more fingers or replace staff. (Up go my insurance premiums and here come Health and Safety.)

[Andrew John Sawyer]

thanks guys – confirmed my suspicions!

[Andrew John Sawyer]

I am also looking at flatbeds and one was the displaymaker 98uvx. I’ve seen print from a displaymaker and it was very good on various substrates. My reservations were that the printerhead isn’t covered like say the uniform commander and the print heads are £1500 each!!! It does look cheap and cheerful too. Pity. Undecided as we are waiting on samples from the commander.

[Andrew John Sawyer]

Hi Doyle – I’ve looked at the Displaymaker too. It’s got to be UV inks for us but the printheads are an amazing £1500.00 EACH! And the moving carriage hasn’t got a cover which concerns me regarding dust, etc., but the results are pretty good.

Andrew

[Andrew John Sawyer]

Saffron Plastics (01268 288874) sell natural polypropelyneCutting Boards -8’x4′ 3mm @ £33.00 up to 9mm @ £99.00 – I’m ordering some when we move!
Andrew

[Andrew John Sawyer]

Def a shop around situation! Speeds and substrate thickness differs. Thanks for all your input.

[Andrew John Sawyer]

Thanks Rob – I’ll look at them this morning – I’m currently favouring the Uniform Commander as we already have a Grenadier and it’s a bit of a known factor scenario. Cheers.

[Andrew John Sawyer]

Thanks guys – pricewise I expect to pay between 60-100k (not that I want to!) to get the quality. It’s mainly for in-house use for clients but if we found we could provide a service in the Dorset area then we would consider it. We would print mainly onto 5mm foamex and perspex/opal. 😎

[Andrew John Sawyer]

sorry been away! 3 minimum at that size. Need 2 b supported while the cement dries and hope for a wind free day!

[Andrew John Sawyer]

we fit quite alot of these type of systems. We always concrete (kwik set of course) the posts by 5-700mm then make good whatever surface (grass, tarmac, etc.) def a 2 bod job. Bugger when it has to come out but it’s all chargeable I suppose! And much safer for joe public.

[Andrew John Sawyer]

Not sure but try Enfield Safety Supplies on 020 8443 1123 – they’re good for safety signs too

[Andrew John Sawyer]

Gee thanks guys, I feel a different person .

[Andrew John Sawyer]

How do I change my made up silly name to real name? Can’t do it in profile.

Lord Lucan

[Andrew John Sawyer]

Of course I knew that Rob, I just couldn’t spell the wurds and I wanted you to get the glory!!!

Those dogs are freaky.

[Andrew John Sawyer]

The material we use is called TRAFOLITE which is a white/black/white sandwich. ABC signs (Eric) on 01202 488822 if you’re in Dorset!

[Andrew John Sawyer]

We use roofing battens, electric staple gun, pop up two 2×2″ sticks on the wall and screw thru as they say. Only way to keep cost down…

[Andrew John Sawyer]

We get all our signs gel coated by a local tame sprayshop. Can’t use foamex as it goes thru an oven – ideal for dibond & ali though. The little dears can’t pick that off! It also takes solvents so cleaning is easy.

[Andrew John Sawyer]

Simon – like your style – job’s yours and I’ve given them your number!!!
Yours was the cheapest by far and they’ve just bought 5 more. Can you do them a deal for quantity? 😮

[Andrew John Sawyer]

Thanks, vindication rules – it doesn’t happen often – I wonder what the other guys on the hit-list did? 😎

[Andrew John Sawyer]

Thanks Guy – I’ll try them now. Cheers :lol1:

[Andrew John Sawyer]

Ideally 60mm-ish…I’m thinking maybe side lit? I can get them 100 but then the weight is a problem.

[Andrew John Sawyer]

Thanks Lynn, thats more or less what we do at the moment – just looking for an easier life!

[Andrew John Sawyer]

Ashby’s do some good powder coated, simple projecting signs and Jason @ Northern Signcases is always helpful.

Rambler

[Andrew John Sawyer]

Sorry Rising but I’m leaving Hertfordshire for Dorset, still, even more work for you. Good luck in recruiting – its a nightmare. We tried local newspapers.

Rambler

[Andrew John Sawyer]

:thumbsup: just a note to say thanks for all the advice regarding the intricacies of employment in Dorset – especially Nobby @ Lettercraft – thanks guy, I’ve just landed the position of general manager at The Designer Sign Company in sunny Verwood. I’ll buy you a large drink when I’m next in Weymouth. Cheers.

[Andrew John Sawyer]

Thanks guys. Normally I design and proof in Corel (7 or 10 – I find 7 quicker) and then export as .plt files to either SignLab or EasySign. :thumbup2:

[Andrew John Sawyer]

My grandmother and grandfather were both Dorset born n’ bred. That must count!!! It’s in my genes – and all over my shirt!

[Andrew John Sawyer]

Thanks people – I have been doing it right! What a relief, especially for my clients. As you say, practice is the key Thanks for the feedback. My mix is meths – 25/30mm in a spray bottle – splash of washing liquid – 2/3 drops – and top up with water.

[Andrew John Sawyer]

Hi Nobby – spoke to Neil but he’s sadly ok for bods thanks again

[Andrew John Sawyer]

Ah yes done it meself – but what about the awkward ones…

[Andrew John Sawyer]

Hi Henry, thanks for that – I’ll phone tomorrow. You’re right Dorset is a great place. I’ve been going there for 20 years so I’m only a part-time grockle – time to make it permanent. Cheers for now.

[Andrew John Sawyer]

Nobby – I’ve just realised that you are indeed a lucky recipient of my cv if you are Lettercraft @ Brewers Quay. Hope you didn’t bin it!

[Andrew John Sawyer]

Thanks Nobby. Have already had an interview with Paul Sutton at Swiftsigns about a month ago. Went very well but I’m still waiting to hear. We’ve spoken since and he’s not said no…

I have sent a cv to Sprint but I will follow it up with a phone call.

Will keep you posted. Thanks again.

[Andrew John Sawyer]

Thanks Nobby that’s very kind – I’ll move near to wherever the job is. Weymouth, Dorchester, Bournemouth is the preferable Dorset triangle but it’s not set in stone (points for that, surely).
I have a static caravan in Swanage that I’ll initially use as a base so I’m quite flexible.
As you say, only a couple of sign outfits near Swanage. That would be too easy!!!
I’m currently sending out CV’s to any company I can find on the web.
Thanks for you help.

[Andrew John Sawyer]

or even Dorset!!!

[Andrew John Sawyer]

Thanks Nobby – I’ll sharpen those chisels… it may come to that as I’m not having too many replies.

Does anyone know of an employment agency that specializes or is it a case of lots of cold calling?

Anyone out there know of any leads?

Cheers for now…

[Andrew John Sawyer]

Hi – Not sure – we’ve been going to Swanage for about 20 years but I plan to find a job first then look for a house within commuting distance. We have a static caravan in Swanage so I can live there while the house in Herts is sold and we househunt. A cunning plan…I hope.

[Andrew John Sawyer]

Hi Dewi – good point!
I’m looking for a position within a company. I’ve been self-employed/freelance/on a retainer before and this time I’d like to enjoy the job without having to worry about everything else. Or at least that’s the idea!
Cheers 4 now.