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We have some Halogen MR16's at 6500K good for diamonds and crystals, not good for gold, and LED MR16's at 5700K. Both high end products from Ushio of America, the same company that does the Luxor pyramid lighting that you can see form space.
If it's a certain spectrum that you're looking to achieve then that's the pro's and con's of the various light sources and why you would not look to replace one for the other. We sold the Axiom High Powered LED modules to a Theme Display Company that builds for PPG Paint recently for the purposes of display cases to show off their paint accurately.
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Thanks, Yep...Buy,Saw,Cut, and display Opal with the same Halogens.
Thanks,
scott
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Just a suggestion, but if you want to build business from this forum, it probably would be a good idea to show how someone with a ShopBot can create these types of signs legally. If people can use their ShopBot to create these types of signs without too much of a learning curve, you're going to sell components as a result and everyone will be happy. This post just reads "Call me if you need LEDs" and doesn't really say "Here's how to use your ShopBot to create this type of sign. By the way, we also sell the LEDs to create these signs."
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I have been following this post. The timing could not have been better. I have found it interesting and informative.
Believe it or not I am getting into making channel letters by next week. I have the new millermatic 211 mig with aluminum spool gun ($400 rebate on this combo till end of year) arriving tuesday. I ordered LED wizard from Aries graphics. I also ordered some channel letter shaping tools from china on ebay. I plan on offering only LED as lighting. I am going to try to keep it simple. Use my Shopbot to cut the faces, backs, and the returns with notches. Then flange them. All mill finish aluminum then paint the cans. I have one customer that says they can supply me with one channel letter job a month.
I am about to fumble into an area of signs I have not tried to do before, so anyone who would give me a few "not to do's" I would appreciate the tips. By this weekend I have to have the first job done. 2- 24" letters and the software arrives Wed. we will see but my customer does understand my learning curve.
I am just trying to figure out ways I can keep my bot busier in my trade.
Thanks,
Dave
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Unfortunately, I'm only targeting a small audience.
I can't teach the average shopbot user who doesn't fabricate electric signs for the trade over the Internet, only those that are already some what in....or already in.
Anyone planning on fabricating sign cabinets, structures, or channel letters is also going to have to get themselves listed by a laboratory such as MET Laboratories, or U.L. for the finished product. Their also going to have to be familiar with the trade itself and how signs are constructed, and what those expectations are.
My main point is to educate the types of LEDs out there on the market and what our testing over time has shown, and LED's aren't always the best option for illumination. LED manufacturers always claim a 30k, 40k, or 50k hour operation wheras before it used to be 100k hours but since that time even they have learned that is not possible. even at 30k hours of operation the LED string still might be functional, but at what cost? Only still usable light? Usable light does not define the degradation overtime, which seems to be huge. Neon is still a very strong efficient reliable source that is proven, but of course that is for the experienced to install
I've seen some signs illuminated by individuals on this board who can route/carve signs but they shoot themselves in the foot by choosing some piss poor products that might illuminate well at first but fail badly overtime for the consumer. Most of the time the product is chosen because the rep at the sign supplier said "they're good". It's kind of like running a race having a large lead, only to fall on your knees or crawl past the finish line but not before others passing you up.
As fabricators it's our job to build and pick the best components possible for the consumer, and it's for that reason why they would chose to call us back over the long haul for their next venture or expansion.
Every electric sign should be guaranteed and built for a 5 year warranty that also includes/states that the illumination will not degrade under 80%/70% from the original illumination in that time. But that's just me...that's how I build and guarantee my work.
@ David
On your next job, I would invite you to keep a string of the LEDs you use for this job and try what we've been testing on the next and do a side by side comparison, I think you'll be VERY impressed! Good luck on your new venture!
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You don't have to be UL or MET certified if you want to make channel letters or electrical signs. I would still recommend to use ul recognised power supply and sign assembly methods.
It is required in some states and municipalities. Check your local codes first.
In my case I am not comparing led to neon. I am only working with leds and comparing leds to leds.
I've been using p-led for three years now. I don't see any considerable light loss. There is nobody in my area who would do neon.
I am currently in the process of retrofitting 15 year old neon sign with leds. Out of 13 letters one is bright as my new leds (could be replacement), 4 went out and rest have different brightness. Customer wants new lights. I was giving price for a new neon $75 a letter. And I need to pick them up 6 hours away. When I gave a costumer price for neon replacement vs led retrofit hi went with leds.
