[Colin Bland]

quote Stuart Morris:

Hi everyone. I’m after some help.
I have a Summa D60 on a Windows 10 computer, connected via USB. Using registered Coreldraw 12.

I have downloaded Summa drivers, winplot, etc. The plotter is seen by the computer because I can test cut and change parameters within Summa Cutter Tools.

When I try and cut in Coreldraw I cannot see how to link to Winplot and then cut. I get this message:
“summa could not open summa socket cutter”.

What do I need to do?

Export from coreldraw in Eps and open the file in winplot should work although maybe not the ideal longterm solution

[Colin Bland]

Pull up media it is thanks guys

[Colin Bland]

Used tradeprint many times but my last order was reprinted 3 times because they couldn’t get the spot UV correct – they were doing the whole of the front of the card rather than spot. They agreed in the end that they probably wouldn’t get it right if they tried again so sent me a refund lucky it was our own cards, went on for 6 weeks

[Colin Bland]

I used mirror perspex to replace my wing mirror once, come back to the van on a sunny day and the mirror had directed the sun onto the driver’s seat and burnt a 12inch line into the seat that you could put your fingers into. Not saying this would happen on a shop front but something to think about

[Colin Bland]

Thanks guys

[Colin Bland]

Try tradesignz.com Hugh register with them and get trade prices

[Colin Bland]

Nice wraps like the roofing one well done

[Colin Bland]

Looking good Phill what material is the hanging sign on copper & penny

[Colin Bland]

Like the M247 vans well done

[Colin Bland]

Hi James checkout facebook letters4hire these were made by a good friend of mine based in London call Russ 07801 449303

[Colin Bland]

Is this the kind of thing you are after James? Where abouts are you based?

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[Colin Bland]

Like the lemonade what’s the font ??

[Colin Bland]

quote Chris Wilson:

Hi David,

Cheers.
Yea we thought all the same. But customer dictated the position and the fonts. Although script was a nightmare to CNC cut so next time it will be a flat out no unless it close the size of mcbains.

Never noticed the S though. I can see it now. Does look off.

Like the Coyote coffee – HMAC job the M is back to front[emoji1]

[Colin Bland]

Thanks Warren – wasn’t it the sign group I read about a while back that was receiving bad press?

[Colin Bland]

Have done similar Rob but not exactly what we need, after that built up metal letter look same colour face and return but without the massive cost

[Colin Bland]

Thanks guys some solutions there bit more realistic

[Colin Bland]

Thought I would bump this to the top – It takes a bit of courage to put your work out there in front of your professional group and I applaud David for doing it on a regular basis. It’s a shame that there’s not that many comments either encouraging or with constructive critique. I think the site would be better if more people shared their work – me included !
Merry Christmas Everyone

[Colin Bland]

Some nice stuff there David well done

[Colin Bland]

quote Martyn Heath:

Hi all.

I often fit signage on my own. Next week i have one to do, nothing huge 600 by 2000. I always work off ladders unless it gets silly (5m+)

Just wondered how you do it? does anyone have a revolutionary technique :smiles: .

I always work out where its going, hobble up the ladders with sign, drill and level. Mark two holes, back down ladder. Back up ladder drill holes and plug, back down ladder to get sign and screws, fix two points. Pre drill other holes, remove sign, drill holes …….etc etc you get the picture. It feels painful but with one set of hands its the best you can do.

Anyone use paper templates? or other techniques? ive always assumed that they are not too accurate as its hard to tape to the wall and as its not rigid the holes could not be accurately placed.

Drill hole top dead centre of sign up ladder drill one hole top dead centre of fixing position fix sign top dead centre with one screw you can now level and Mark other holes and pivot sign on the one fixing to drill all other holes and fit no need to take sign back down however depend on having light weight sign and no wind as you are relying on one fixing for a few minutes

[Colin Bland]

Was thinking we might de brand the van – can’t fine us if we are incognito [emoji16]

[Colin Bland]

Yes David on the form you have to put if planning permission has been granted for the development they also need 10 working days to process – I would like to have 10 working days to make the sign ! But we can’t all have what we want

[Colin Bland]

I’m all for driving the cowboys out of our industry but I see this action having an adverse effect as it will push us towards working at night (with the drunks) or working off ladders both of which are not as safe as our tower during the day. This is just a money grabbing exercise which will ultimately put people at risk. The associated costs aren’t even reasonable and it has already cost us work as phase two of the job was a higher level install impossible off ladders, when I explained to the client we would need to install at night and charge her some overtime for my mate she said she would think again

[Colin Bland]

Looking good

[Colin Bland]

Try the print on a similar type of garment does it stick? if it does it’s the garment if it doesn’t it’s the vinyl, just a thought

[Colin Bland]

quote Robert Lambie:

quote Colin Bland:

quote Robert Lambie:

I would also be interested in knowing who uses a fast set acrylic adhesive.
We use Tensol also, but in the past i would use a glue called Acrifix which was like water when applied via a syringe but set in about 10-30 seconds. The source i bought from back then no longer exists, so would be good to find an alternative.
to be honest the acrifix set a little too fast but the main issue was more how watery it was. if you squirted out too much and it ran onto the face of the acrylic it marks it dull, removing the gloss finish.

Anyway, as Peter has asked, a alternative relatively quick dry/set plastics adhesive would be good if you have one?

Hi Rob Acryfix is stocked by Amari

Tried Amari Colin. They said they only did Tensol mate.

Weird it’s on their website and Evonik have them on the website as distributor I am sure we have bought it from there as well – might be worth another call, we often get given the wrong information by salespeople

[Colin Bland]

quote Robert Lambie:

I would also be interested in knowing who uses a fast set acrylic adhesive.
We use Tensol also, but in the past i would use a glue called Acrifix which was like water when applied via a syringe but set in about 10-30 seconds. The source i bought from back then no longer exists, so would be good to find an alternative.
to be honest the acrifix set a little too fast but the main issue was more how watery it was. if you squirted out too much and it ran onto the face of the acrylic it marks it dull, removing the gloss finish.

Anyway, as Peter has asked, a alternative relatively quick dry/set plastics adhesive would be good if you have one?

Hi Rob Acryfix is stocked by Amari

[Colin Bland]

quote Peter Harrison:

Thank you I will try Edward Mathias, but is that company the only trade supplier to do them?
I looked on their website but could not see any mention of router cutters or similar.

Try Trend http://www.trend-uk.com/en/UK/productli … obond.html

[Colin Bland]

I’ve used sculpture studios as well they are very good

[Colin Bland]

Thanks Martin I missed that bit [emoji3]

[Colin Bland]

Was surprised to see you using trestle and board without guard rail Rob, didn’t think that was allowed anymore. Don’t get me wrong have done loads from trestle and board in the past and is quick but understand is no longer acceptable with many sites we work on

[Colin Bland]

Also make sure what you are applying to is clean and dust free. Dust will produce bubbles all day long especially important when working on a horizontal surface like applying vinyl to a panel on the bench

[Colin Bland]

Maybe try pinetree as well http://www.pinetree-enterprises.co.uk

[Colin Bland]

We had this on our new cutter we are using the summa winplot look in the setup there are options for cut centres first and for restricting media movement. The restrict media movement got us guessing for a while as it wasn’t working and then found we were using autorotate which doesn’t apply this setting but if you rotate artwork 90degrees it work fine

[Colin Bland]

Customers who decide to relamp their own signs.
I have had this a few times and another one today
Quoted a perspex fascia job and asked do they want me to relamp at the same time – come back no we will do it ourselves.
Explain to them it’s better that we do it and that its quite difficult off ladders but if they really must do it then relamp before we get on site as then they will only be dealing with old panels not our new ones.
Explain to them that they should not wait for us to remove the panels and then rush out and buy the tubes in the hope that we will put them in for free as we are always on a tight schedule.
So get to site today – No relamp they ask me what tubes they need we tell them and surprise surprise they turn up 45mins later with new tubes and get the hump because we have already fitted the new panels !!
Good luck removing 3m x 1m panels 16ft in the air where you must take off the top angle to remove the panels and the only place to put a ladder is onto the top of the sign!!

[Colin Bland]

May be worth putting a copyright statement on the drawing block somewhere.

[Colin Bland]

Thanks Andrew

[Colin Bland]

Who supplies the system in the first picture Rob?

[Colin Bland]

Designer insisting on a massively complicated spec for what should be a very simple sign, refuses to meet and discuss, refuses to accept alternative materials/options says that two other sign companies have met with him and now no longer taking his calls – guess we will be the third company that cannot supply 10mm thick stainless steel letters 48mm height on standoffs painted to match a reference that he has only viewed on the web – makes me want to give up

[Colin Bland]

quote Colin Bland:

We have been asked to replace some window vinyls (not originally produced by us) because one if the windows has mould growing between the vinyl and the window.
Has anyone seen this before?

Heres a picture of the window

[Colin Bland]

My son is an electrician and his partner just got fined £300 for carry cardboard packaging from some light fittings they had installed which he was carrying back to their skip in the yard, another tax on the working man

[Colin Bland]

Nice work Iain what material do you use is it self adhesive do you overlap? Can’t see any joints very nice finish

[Colin Bland]

Nice batch of work there David what font did you use on the Kais Kitchen

[Colin Bland]

For anyone who has never used a tower you need one that has infinitely adjustable feet, to have one leg a few mm light when you are working at height is a very disconcerting feeling as the whole tower will wobble with every movement – stepped adjustment is not good enough in my view – No predictive text errors this time John [emoji16]

[Colin Bland]

How does that work then ? First thing you do on plasma course level the base – don’t think we have ever put tower up on perfectly level floor – just checked out price of our tower which is a lewis tower 8ft x 2ft x7.7m working height £1154 plus vat I’m sure there’s better but works for us

[Colin Bland]

Been interested in setting up embroidery for a while which machines are you using – any recommendations?

[Colin Bland]

Thanks David that is the one I was looking at but cleaning out seemed to be a real chore and seemed to take about an hour before you got any real heat out of it, also does it have any smell?

[Colin Bland]

Have you got any pictures David?

[Colin Bland]

Why not get them to use Sharpie pens

[Colin Bland]

Nice work David good selection

[Colin Bland]

I’m the same as chris with vans have done it many times offer the discount on the last van surprisingly only ever got there once

[Colin Bland]

Thanks guys

[Colin Bland]

I wouldn’t necessarily say that Jamie – we view it as a necessary evil when required and make sure that we get paid in advance for providing the service

[Colin Bland]

We always make planning the responsibility of the client – and do plenty of jobs where the client takes a chance !
But if pushed we will produce drawings and apply -generally we find the more professional this is the quicker the application will go through. For this you will generally need a front elevation of the building 1:50 scale with existing signage indicated and then the same elevation with the proposed signage drawn . The drawing should also have a side section through the building and the signage, indicating heights above ground to signs and any signage projections off the building. We then provide a coloured visual of the sign giving specification of the sign. They also require a 1:1250 site plan from ordnance survey we use buyaplan.com seem to be the cheapest. With regards to timing we have had applications in our local town where it takes 3 weeks to register the application and 8 weeks to determine we have also had applications in central London determined within 10 days it really is luck of the draw

[Colin Bland]

Think this might be a shopkit system
shopkit.com

[Colin Bland]

I’m all for taking on the unusual but think I would sub this out to a professional stonemason put a mark up on top and move on

[Colin Bland]

Like solus a lot, takes a special client to go with so much blank space on a sign but looks really effective

[Colin Bland]

Hi Chris have tried mdp but colour range a bit limited will try gravity and mactac thanks Dave

[Colin Bland]

Hi yes fixed height but quite comfortable will measure Tuesday if you want wheels are relatively small but do the job we find them sturdy and flat and were give them some abuse sometimes including standing on them to change light bulbs etc foe the money they are quite good

[Colin Bland]

We have the signgeer benches as well all on wheels, we have 8 x 4 mdf tops topped off with 3mm foamex and can push together to make 10m long bench we like them

[Colin Bland]

Hi Rob didnt think they did them will give them a try thanks

[Colin Bland]

We usually have a little negotiation [SMILING FACE WITH SMILING EYES]

[Colin Bland]

Aalco Basildon just down the road from you James

[Colin Bland]

We run a ce5000 from corel x5 through cutting master have recently upgraded to x8 but last time we checked cutting master were not supporting x8 yet suggest you check first

[Colin Bland]

If 20ft up i wouldnt worry too much. Just redrill the back panel and refit the females to the panel fill the holes that are left if you want to with colour matched mastic. Presumably all of this will be behind the letter in any case unless very thin strokes. We were recently asked fit new letters to an old panel after much advice from ourselves that you would see the old holes the client was adamant that he would not pay for a new panel we done the job and you really could not see the old holes from ground level.

[Colin Bland]

Dan our tower is single widthe with an 8ft long board we find it best as often working on narrow pavements we have 5 lifts with outriggers of course but not great, if I get to the point where I need to go over 4 lifts then it’s usually cherry picker
James I have a nice van but nothing on your printers mate

[Colin Bland]

Here’s what our medium wheel sprinter looks like in the back.

We carry 2.5 lifts of tower just slides in, held in place with narrow unistrut framework floor to roof with a high level shelf over the top. We also have a ladder rack attatched to the framework which holds triple ladder.

We stand panels on edge and tie them to the framework, this way you can remove tower to strip old signage and leave the new panels safely on the van until you need them.

On the other side we have 3 narrow shelves. For fixings etc
Enough space in the middle for a 12m tray over tray fascia.

And we have recently added leds stuck to the roof – which are absolutely brilliant -literally

Double security locks all round and we still have to remove tools at night :bangshead:

It works for us

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[Colin Bland]

My Heart goes out to you Mike I thought I was in the same situation at the beginning of the year luckily we only had minor damage, unit next to us was total loss. I hope that you get back up and running soon wishing you all the best
Colin

[Colin Bland]

Great selection I always enjoy seeing your work

[Colin Bland]

Hi James
Shopkit, Albion displays, Fairfield all do a system where you pass a current 12v down the suspension wire to the display, used a lot in estate agents but im fairly sure thay could supply you with the kit
Colin

[Colin Bland]

How about making another smaller sized panel and screwing to the wall with countersunk screws then fit your plate to it with double sided tape

Colin

[Colin Bland]

We cut a piece of aluminium angle and bond into the 4 corners to hold the joints together, then install an aluminium angle onto the wall at the top and the bottom of the sign fit the sign tray over the angle and screw through the tray into the angle with self drilling screws

Job done

[Colin Bland]

I had a guy like that around our way – sent him packing decided that our hard earnt reputation was worth more than taking a chance on some dodgy vinyl
Colin

[Colin Bland]

I know what you mean
We dont do the 45 degree up the side join we simply router the panel cut a square out of the corner fold up and bond an angle inside the panel.
It takes some attention to detail to get the cut right and to make sure the edges are together before bonding but its worth it
Colin

[Colin Bland]

Hi Fabrice we used aluminium composite matt black, folded into trays and fitted over aluminium angle framework
Colin

[Colin Bland]

I try and educate clients where possible and will usually give them a good quality budget alternative to the folded tray type sign, but there comes a point where clients just look at cost unfortunately.
We do find this happening more often nowdays which I think devalues our profession.
Anyone with a plotter a garage and a set of ladders is a signmaker it seems

[Colin Bland]

Theirs was 3mm foamex glued to the brickwork the bubbles are where the sun has plyed on the foamex and caused the bubbles – it annoys me that people produce this kind of work and get paid for it.

[Colin Bland]

Yes we do if its needed and the client wants to be legit – most dont
Its quite easy so submit but a pain to get all the info together, we limit the amount of time we spend and always get paid up front for the service. We definately dont get drawn into negotiations or anything past the initial application.

[Colin Bland]

I like the Raw car good simple lines

[Colin Bland]

Hi Shawn
Thats a pretty good idea not sure i would have room in my van.
I have put an led set up in the back of my van, we do a reasonable amount of out of hours work and its so good. We just used some leds like you use for back illuminating letters double sided taped to the roof and spliced into the existing lighting circuit

[Colin Bland]

Hi Shawn out of interest where would you be using this set up ? Saw one at a market once cutting out vinyl wall graphics is that the kind of thing you had in mind?

[Colin Bland]

Like the decorators van nice to see a drop shadow

[Colin Bland]

I have always fancied one of these as a shop truck, not sure its very practical but would get some attention, apparently the owner has fun racing supercars and the likes

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[Colin Bland]

After a week from hell we finally got power water and telephone back on at 4pm today, thanks for the offers of help just got to get on and catch up with our work now.
Picture of our next door neighbours unit attached, unfortunately looks like they wont trade again, they didnt have any insurance!

Brings it home to you just how vulnerable we all are.

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[Colin Bland]

Thanks David

Got it much appreciated

[Colin Bland]

Thanks for your concern guys.

We seem to have got off lightest, but got no power or internet so have moved the office out back to my dining room table.

I need some help if anyone can, we have an urgent small fleet of vans to do I have my Impact vehicle library disc but not the book -forgot to pick it up have tried to contact impact but they are not in the office I need the template number for vw transporter LWB 64 plate with rear split doors -thought i would be able to find it but 230 vw templates on the disc

[Colin Bland]

Hi David
Im with Kev on this one get it up there in modules, I even project managed a job once like this in central Nairobi and cranes were impossible we ended up taking the kit up to the roof in pieces, literally pieces of extrusion and built the box on the roof.

[Colin Bland]

Hi Chris
I have used Morans Wood Components before for this kind of thing not cheap though

[Colin Bland]

I started out with my business working from my garage and making larger signs in the garden part time, whilst working for a large sign company.
It was obvious to me that for the business to progress the working conditions needed to improve. The odd client that come to the house didnt seem to mind meeting my kids or ducking under the washing line but it was not exactly what i had envisaged for the business, I take my hat off to people that work from home if you can make it work then its a great option.
The moment i took the plunge to go for premises it become a ‘real’ business overnight, Somewhere decent that clients could come and visit etc etc but we now had overheads, building costs etc after 3 months we were loosing £1000 a month, I could not afford to let it fail for the sake of the family. This in itself brings problems if you are anything like me it become an obsession to make it work.
This can put a strain on your relationships be careful, its better to have the family On board.
Luckily we turned it round, Its still tough but we have moved twice since that first unit and we are just about to refurbish our current unit.

My views have now changed about having a ‘real’ business 99% of my clients never come to my premises, what they see is our work, and our service, what they hear is our good name the premises is really just a bigger and better place for us to produce more work at a higher quality.
Would i move to premises again, absolutely but for very different reasons to the first time round.
Ensure that you have enough work or the ability to find new business within a reasonable timescale. Be honest about your abilities and knowledge ive been in this industry for nearly 40 years and still learn something every day.
Protect the downside-i steered clear of long leases, finance, and any major committments until it was clear that we were good,allowing yourself an exit strategy.

Good luck with whatever you finally decide

Colin

[Colin Bland]

Yes still in Romford, Martin for our sins !
We have a combination Rob, we run a factory which is reasonably kitted out and we make most things, but there are always specialist items or time pressures which force us to buy in, but we have a good network of suppliers

[Colin Bland]

Cheers Dave
Like to keep things simple where we can always looks better

[Colin Bland]

Partnerships – i have had two recently one where the ‘partner’ had cleared out the bank account! And done a runner with the money – I got the money after chasing the remaining partner for 3 months.
Another one where the partners fell out and each claiming the other should pay – they both gonna get legal action if they carry on

[Colin Bland]

Thanks Rob

[Colin Bland]

Hi james
Try Elite balustrade.com ask for barbara she will help you out quicker than brundle as brundle dont stock the components at rainham also ask her for discount usually 5 to 10%
Elite do one that takes 6mm glass that is the thinnest so you will either have to shim further to reduce the clamp to 3mm or double up on your dibond maybe
Also the do either round back or flat back if using round back you will need to know the diameter of tube that you are fitting to
Colin

[Colin Bland]

Thats some achievement
I used to have a guy work with us installing signs, he would keep up with any of us on site and out in all weathers etc – we finally reluctantly forced him to retire at the age of 83 – he is now 86 and has got himself a van doing freelance neon repairs etc and we make him an occasional fascia which he installs

[Colin Bland]

Wow such talent a good find simon

[Colin Bland]

hmm

lots to do so would prefer not to floodcoat but seems that the only way to go

[Colin Bland]

The purple im looking for is available in vinyl etc so not a protected colour just need it in ACM but looks like its not available possibly not enough demand maybe

[Colin Bland]

Hi Simon

there is such a knife http://www.signgeer.com/product/vinylguard-knife-103
we use it all the time to do exactly what you are doing.
Just align the graphic on the window tape it in place we sometimes use gaffa tape to tape to the window frame if there is no glass left to tape to just one line of tape right down the centre.
Fold back half the graphic cut the backing with the vinyl guard knife lay that half and then repeat for other half a window that size you can easily do on your own
have fun.

[Colin Bland]

How big is the window simon

[Colin Bland]

Thanks Andrew