>>23606 ... >>23609 Thank you and Thank you. I was glad to be able to share this with you other workshop guys.

>>23599 This one might not have had the right message that I was looking for. Polar Opposite.

Love it!

>>23581 Perfect!

>>23581..>>23582..VERY creative, OB. Buying out the time to achieve what can be seen in a minds eye is an accomplishment in itself. I've noticed the chamfer and filled finished edges on the oak door and perfect alignment and spacing of the pictures. Very good work and quite pleasing to ones self when you step back and say "Well, thar she be". Sometimes the old norm just doesn't seem good enough and that's where creativity steps in. That's where a workshop steps in.

"You tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is, never try."

"I'm in no condition to drive...wait! I shouldn't listen to myself, I'm drunk!

"A nuclear reactor is a lot like a woman. You just have to read the manual and press the right buttons."

"Marriage is like a coffin and each kid is another nail."

"A woman is like beer. They look good, they smell good, and you'd step over your own mother just to get one!" Homer Simpson

"I don't apologize. I am sorry, that's the way I am." Homer Simpson

“If aliens are watching us through telescopes, they’re going to think the dogs are the leaders of the planet. If you see two life forms, one of them’s making a poop, the other one’s carrying it for him, who would you assume is in charge?” - Jerry Seinfeld

“Having sex is like playing bridge. If you don’t have a good partner, you’d better have a good hand.” - woody allen

>>23582 Wow! Great work and quote! Yes, the best projects are sometimes those that give back to the ones you love. (that's also a good quote if you want to make another sign!)

or you can use: Like sands through the hourglass, so are the days of our lives.

Awesome!!

So this project started out when I was tasked with hanging 8x10 picture frames back on the wall. I was less than enthused with pting them back were they were, all singly mounted and often seeming disconnected and scattered. Creativity struck and I decided to mount these common photos and frames so they appear as one frame. I painted and mounted a 18" hollow core oak door to the wall as a backdrop and then hung the pictures on the backdrop. Again, inspiration hit and I wanted to add my thoughts on the pictures rather than explain it to all who enter. I was again, less than impressed with the typical "write on walls" vinyl approach, so that led me to ressurect a want to do project (engine turning metals) to serve as a backdrop for the letters. Being that an 1" x 4" x 53" piece of aluminum was out of my reach, I decided to that mounting this available piece of 1/8" thick aluminum on an oak backdrop would serve the purpose and match nicely. I designed and ordered the vinyl online for a reasonable price. Overall, I am very pleased with the outcome.

Done & Hung

>>23525 These I know. I use them on my disc grinder and off-set grinders..using 100 grit, 80, 60, and 36 grit. They're made by 3M and are aluminum oxide.
>>23528 These I don't know. I'm guessing they're double the price of the others.

good luck with the project, Oldballs! would be a nice trim on your cupola!

>>23525 They are usually fibre these days, the old paper ones didn't last long. I always try to get fibre/cloth backed abrasives, it seems to hold on to the abrasive better as well.

A flap disc is an alternative to the fiber disc. Where the fiber disc requires a seperate rubber backer pad, the flap disc's structure acts as it's own backer. The flap wheel seems to ahve a longer wear life to it as well.

"paper wheel" is what I have always called them. The catalog listing for them is "Fiber disc"

The 1964 Chevrolet Impala SS had this treatment on the factory stainless steel trim.

Sometimes on custom cars and motorcycles you'll see this. I haven't been close enough to a fire truck to notice. Paper wheels? Learn something new every day. You have quite a creative gift there, OB. What are you going to do with the sign when finished? Will you post a picture here, please? Thanks for taking the time to wash your hands and snap a picture/s.

Practiced on this small scrap piece. Originally wanted to work a piece of brass for the sign for the coloring, but opted for this copper clear paint. That turned out good, but I decided it would clash for the sign purposes. The sign is for me, and the tools are for hobby. I tend to acquire them as the projects call for. You can see also that I tried out 2 others techniques to evaluate the best for the application. The nearest is straight diagonal swipes with a paper grinding wheel. The middle turned out cool, with oscillating swipes of the same paper wheel. This gives more of a moving waterfall effect.

The tick marks were applied to the edge of the work piece and then a single mark was placed on the bench to align the pitch.

Old Firetrucks typically used gold or silver leafing, which is very easy to mark and apply this technique. Todays firetrucks and ambulances are using vinyl that resembles the engine turned effect but does not pop in the sun light like true leafing + engine turning.

Loving this! I'll have to give it a go one day.

>>23505 I love that 3D effect, almost look like spikes.

Are you building a firetruck? :D

>>23504 Love the older shop tools; well made and last a lifetime. My first tool was a Mongomery Ward 3/8" electric drill. I used it the other day and it still has original rpm's and torque.

Very good! I'm understanding all you've done. Have you done this before? Did you just mark your fence on the drill press in one inch increments for the repitive design (I couldn't see the marks )? Is this your sign or did you make some bucks from a customer? Is this what you do full time (I noticed your shop had tools for just about all types of work)?
Your finished product came out great. I'm guessing letters will be applied?

Polishing compound is washed off gently with dishwashing detergent to avoid damaged the pattern. Clean and dried, I then applied several coats of Acrylic Enamel Clear.

The pad is 2" in diameter so I marked the piece in 1" increments and advanced through one complete row against a fence. Then moved the fence back 1" and repeated the process. This maintains an overlap an a 1x1 pitch on the details.

The piece was sanded with a random orbital sander with 220 grit to break the mill finish. Then polished with a buffing pad and aluminum polish before heading to the drill press for 275 buffing operations.

Making a backdrop for a sign. The material is 6061 Aluminum 3.75" x 53" x 1/8" thick. Using an abrasive disc ~220 grit and polishing compound to improve consistency and disc life.

Can you zoom out a little so I can see more. What are you using to polish this design? What is the material? Are you going to apply this metal onto something or are you just practicing?