ChaChi Report post Posted February 10, 2009 I found one of my firefighter buddies cleaning a bunch of debris from his trailer from a demolition job he did. This was a sign form a downtown business here for over 30 years. I asked for it before he tossed it. I sanded it down, painted on some banners, hand drew some letters on there, and started painting. I carved the center piece from the toughest piece of 13-15oz saddle skirting I've ever had. I bought an old kitchen table at a used furniture store for the legs and it's finally done.But it turned out great and now it serves as our table for the executive board to sit at when we have our union meetings. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rdb Report post Posted February 10, 2009 Great job! Anything that makes the Union stronger is alright in my book! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyL1 Report post Posted February 10, 2009 That's pretty freakin' cool. Nice paintwork! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tashabear Report post Posted February 10, 2009 Gorgeous. What did you use for the gold paint on the fire cross? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChaChi Report post Posted February 10, 2009 Gorgeous.What did you use for the gold paint on the fire cross? It's actually from wal-mart in the craft section. The brand is FOLKART, outdoor metallics, color #1654, Pure Gold. I've got about 20 different colors so far from there and they are holding up great, and cheap too! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RustyMelton Report post Posted February 10, 2009 Great job, that's awsome. I had to look for a little bit to figure out what was leather. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChaChi Report post Posted February 10, 2009 Great job, that's awsome. I had to look for a little bit to figure out what was leather. I knew I wanted leather in the center but I just didn't know what image to do. When I decided to make it a table for our union meetings, it was easy. I'm thinking about covering the entire top in the self-leveling high gloss clear epoxy to fill in the dish part and making the whole thing flat across the top and "burying" the leather under an inch of that stuff. I'm just afraid it will cloud up being that thick in there and hide the leather piece. Thanks for the compliments. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Suze Report post Posted February 11, 2009 I knew I wanted leather in the center but I just didn't know what image to do. When I decided to make it a table for our union meetings, it was easy. I'm thinking about covering the entire top in the self-leveling high gloss clear epoxy to fill in the dish part and making the whole thing flat across the top and "burying" the leather under an inch of that stuff. I'm just afraid it will cloud up being that thick in there and hide the leather piece. Thanks for the compliments. WOW -- that is ... WOW You could try taking a scrap of leather and painting on it with the same paints and sealers you used on the table - Just brush strokes - nothing fancy gluing it to a piece of wood and then taking that and putting your inch of epoxy over that to see what it does. it wouldn't even have to be very big - say something the bottom of a margerine tub? It would be one way to find out if it would work or not. Just a thought from a crafter not a leatherworker...(although that is changing in the future) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChaChi Report post Posted February 11, 2009 WOW -- that is ... WOWYou could try taking a scrap of leather and painting on it with the same paints and sealers you used on the table - Just brush strokes - nothing fancy gluing it to a piece of wood and then taking that and putting your inch of epoxy over that to see what it does. it wouldn't even have to be very big - say something the bottom of a margerine tub? It would be one way to find out if it would work or not. Just a thought from a crafter not a leatherworker...(although that is changing in the future) Yeah I'll definately test it first but the stuff is 80 bucks a gallon and I'm not really unhappy with how it is now. It would just be more usable as a table if it was all flat across there. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Suze Report post Posted February 11, 2009 $80 a gallon - Ouch I think a glass top might be cheaper - prob not Ignore the silly woman in the corner.....>grin< Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnBarton Report post Posted February 13, 2009 What a fantastic piece. Your stuff is amazingly creative and functional. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
abn Report post Posted February 13, 2009 This was a sign form a downtown business here for over 30 years... I bought an old kitchen table at a used furniture store... I love projects that involve recycled materials. This has got to be one of the best I've ever seen. Two thumbs WAY UP. -Alex Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Go2Tex Report post Posted February 13, 2009 It would have been nice to see the before and after pics, but I have to say, you are one heck of a sign painter! That lettering is perfect. I am in awe. And yeah, just put a glass over it so your, ehem...coffee mugs, won't spill.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChaChi Report post Posted February 13, 2009 Thanks everyone for all the compliments. While I've done quite a bit of woodworking before, I've never painted a sign and this took FOREVER getting the letters to look somewhat similar. I drew them out on graph paper first and the transfered that to the board, then started painting. I still see lots of flaws but, like most everyone here, I'm a pefectionist and my own worst critic. I did finally find the "before" shots: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Go2Tex Report post Posted February 13, 2009 Well, all I gotta say is, if the firefighting thing don't work out, you have a career ahead of you as a sign painter. heh heh Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChaChi Report post Posted February 15, 2009 (edited) Well, all I gotta say is, if the firefighting thing don't work out, you have a career ahead of you as a sign painter. heh heh Well thanks Tex! I appreciate that. I really wanted the letters to be as big as the original ones but I ran into a little problem when I stripped off the old paint and varnish. The sun had weathered and darkened all of the surface except where the letters were painted so even when I got it all off, you could still read the old sign. I sanded for 2 straight days to even it up to no avail. So, reluctantly, I had to come up with the banners to cover all the light spots where the letters used to be and reduce my letter size to fit in there. And actually I think I like it better after seeing it this way. I really appreciate all the comments. Now I've just got to find somebody who can cut a glass top for it in the shape of a football! Edited February 15, 2009 by ChaChi Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Suze Report post Posted February 15, 2009 try the people who do "leaded glass" for windows and such. they would have the knowlage of how to cut "semi round" things that I'll bet the big box stores don't have. just a thought. Anyway I'll bet you are going to have to go to a speciality glass shop and I think I would upend the table on a huge piece of paper and draw around it. and take that to the shops, They might have a better idea if they can do it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChaChi Report post Posted February 15, 2009 (edited) try the people who do "leaded glass" for windows and suchand I think I would upend the table on a huge piece of paper and draw around it. and take that to the shops, They might have a better idea if they can do it. That's great idea and great timing. I'm actually gettting ready to "upend" it here today to get started on the bottom of the table. I've been gathering a list of all our past and present union members to begin painting their names under the table starting with the charter members. I will also include their dates of membership and any ranks or executive positions they held during their tenure here. History is important. And we can add new names to it when new members join as part of their swearing-in ceremony. This will probably take a month or so and I just dare somebody to stick their gum under there when it's finished. A$$ whoopin time for sure. Edited February 15, 2009 by ChaChi Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Suze Report post Posted February 15, 2009 That's great idea and great timing. I'm actually gettting ready to "upend" it here today to get started on the bottom of the table. I've been gathering a list of all our past and present union members to begin painting their names under the table starting with the charter members. I will also include their dates of membership and any ranks or executive positions they held during their tenure here. History is important. And we can add new names to it when new members join as part of their swearing-in ceremony. This will probably take a month or so and I just dare somebody to stick their gum under there when it's finished. A$$ whoopin time for sure. If you are doing that (cool idea BTW) maybe you need TWO pieces of glass. or at least a thin piece of plexieglass for under the table. then if they stick gum under the table (and it will happen, some people are pigs) you can make them buy a new piece...... (see I'm good for "something" ) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
