first finished a sidewalk sign

[knight_toolworks]

The first finished sidewalk sign I have done. Usually I just cut parts for them. I know I did not not charge enough but it was the first and it was for a customer I do other work for.
it is made from 3/4" russian ply with 3/4"marine plywood letters. this is a replacement for one someone made them or they made with no finish. You can guess how that turned out here in rainy Portland.
I sealed it with 3 coats of general finishes outdoor water based finish. I did the letters and face separately. Then I used silicone to glue the letters on then screwed them from the back sealed the screws with silicone. ss hardware with ss screws on the feet so it is not sitting on the ground. I used nylon straps for the handle and the center spreader strap.

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s266/knighttoolworks/posting/7C0B0105_zps5f88948d.jpg
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s266/knighttoolworks/posting/AA99A1AE_zpsd1902729.jpg

[Brian Harnett]

Looks good, I know all about not charging enough

[myxpykalix]

Nice job Steve...:)

Here's a phrase you'll never utter...."You know i think i charged them too much, i think i'll give them some money back":eek:

[David Iannone]

Nice job. I like it.

[knight_toolworks]

well the customer was not happy. they did not want the black. they told me to make it like this sign and it sure looks black. but I guess it is just rot.
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BxdTne7mtq2sTnJ3a1ZPY2VIVFU/edit
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BxdTne7mtq2sTVFueE16Q1NLaEE/edit

[bleeth]

Steve:
Looks like there are one or two issues here at this point:
1. They did not get detailed submittal plan/sketch to sign off on or
2. They are bending you over in hopes of getting it even cheaper.

Your sign looks fine and will do the job well.The partial outlining of the raised letters is an added accent that helps the design.

Sometimes you can teach the ignorant but you can never fix stupid!

[twelchPTM]

Steve - It sure does look to me like the original sign had somesort of black outline or shadow applied to the letters
Dave - how to fix stupid :http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MoliW1JJxLw/T5d1DbY2qnI/AAAAAAAAATI/jdXv_Y59--Y/s320/duct-tape-to-wall.jpg

[knight_toolworks]

they thought it would be easy to get the black out. They were not after a discount. But there is no easy way to remove the black. I sent them a preview that had black letters but I think it was a communication problem. I never asked if they wanted it painted they said they wanted it to look like the one they have and sent me the artwork.
I guess the black is mold or something who knows? so I just recut it all and siliconed the letters on again. Now all the letters are hard to see. maybe they expect them to darken? not sure but they are finished too good to change color.

[knight_toolworks]

well here it is fixed.
They thought some paint was still in the letters .I did not tell them I had to make it from scratch again.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s266/knighttoolworks/posting/3095414F_zpsb8dde5e9.jpg
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s266/knighttoolworks/posting/0615CD3E_zps1f9b77de.jpg
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s266/knighttoolworks/posting/8ABFE541_zps29f2a31c.jpg

[myxpykalix]

The ones you do the most for, for free, are the ones who bitch the most.:eek:

[knight_toolworks]

The ones you do the most for, for free, are the ones who bitch the most.:eek:
yep that's for sure. but at least I did it right and it should last a long time.

[myxpykalix]

you did it right the first time!:eek: If i were you i'd get things in writing just to cover your butt because people try to take advantage to get a discount:mad:

[knight_toolworks]

you did it right the first time!:eek: If i were you i'd get things in writing just to cover your butt because people try to take advantage to get a discount:mad:
I do so little finished work I tend to forget. Usually the only finished signs I make are ship signs for navy ships. they give me the size the wood the text and what color to make the text. nice and simple.

[knight_toolworks]

well after a month or so it seems like the 50 year silicone is not holding the letters on. I did not want to screw them on as they complained about the screws in back. Not sure why it did not stick they parts were freshly finished with a water based finish so they did not have anything on them. they had 2 days to cure. any idea's on what to use to put the letters back on? the first time I used a water based silicone that was hard to remove the extra. but I had trouble removing the parts.

[Brady Watson]

3M 5200 will hold nearly anything...

-B

[knight_toolworks]

3M 5200 will hold nearly anything...

-B
that's what I usually use but it tends to shift letters as it flows out so it can be a battle to keep everything in place. I am wondering if the finish needed a extra day or two to cure?

[bleeth]

use a 22 Ga pin nailer to keep the parts from moving. Microscopic holes easily filled and hidden.