markthesignguy Posted February 12, 2010 at 06:59 AM Posted February 12, 2010 at 06:59 AM It's that time of year again, the sign shop is chugging along. The main components of the signs are the 11 x 17 cardboard and the handles: 1.5 inches wide, about 1/4 inch thick and 33 inches long, with 8 inches of the handles secured in a slot in the sign. Two 11 x 17 photocopied messages are rubber cemented on (to prevent wrinkles), one to a side. These can be peeled off later and a new message cemented on. Double thickness (275 # , is 1/4" thick) cardboard appliance boxes work best, and a table saw (10") with 200 tooth plywood blade makes nice clean cuts - at the cost of a lot of "fluff" debris to clean up (even WITH a vacuum system) Try doing this with box cutters for more than a few signs and both your accuracy as well as hands and arms will suffer. Especially when starting with larger boxes. Single thickness THICK cardboard can work with thinner than 1/4 inch thick handles, but usually the soft wood makes the handles rather "wavy".... The thinner cardboard is best glued into a double layer. I used up 1/2 gallon of white non-toxic water clean up Elmer's glue. I might yet regret the choice because they might warp if exposed to high humidity. The double glued sheets were clamped for 24 hours with about 20 # of weight.edit - use rubber cement. hindsight... Yes, that's 150 additional signs, besides the pre-existing 50 I have and up to 200 scattered between Champaign (IGOLD 2009, Thank You, CCRA!!) and Chicago (SAFR 2008, 2009 ) After the 11 x 17 cardboard was cut to size and glued if necessary, the 8 inch slots for the handle were cut, using a scrap piece of handle as a spacer to the saw's rip fence to ensure repeatability. NOTE: it's 1.5 inches MINUS the width of the saw blade to get the proper slot width. A powerful magnet was used as an 8 inch depth stop. Finally the box cutter was used to cut across the saw cuts to empty the slot.(my pinkies never got closer than 10 inches to that saw blade) The handles are currently strips of 48 inch lath cut down to 33 inches (42 inches overall = 33 - 8 + 17) - which allows more to be fit into a single vehicles trunk, than could be done with full 48 inch sticks (57 inches overall = 48 - 8 + 17). This allows cutting out knots, splits and gross imperfections from the raw material near the ends. The raw material is (has been) bundles of lath, usually 50 pieces for $8.00 from a major hardware "box" store: "M". But the quality of this year's lath from "M" was a major disappointment, I have only been able to use about 80 of the 150 I purchased last Saturday - EVEN with careful siting of the trims and 13 inches of scrap per stick. I am getting another bundle from smaller "CB" and we'll see how useful that stuff is. As it is I was forced to make 4 saw passes per handle to put 30 degree bevels on the corners in an attempt to reduce handling splinters. I am seriously contemplating getting 33" pieces of quality (reclaimed) lumber and ripping them down longitudinally to make my own lath next year - better quality control than they seem to be able or willing to muster. I'll be better able to match thickness of handle, strength of handle and required thickness of cardboard - with the aim of avoiding gluing cardboard. I'll still have to "break" the sharper corners from my saw, but that's a small price to pay for consistency. Once the handles are ready they are inserted in the slots and 4 strips of "duct" tape secures the two components. IF the pocket is cut carefully, the handle has to be pushed in from the end and results in a very secure joint. AS for what's ON the signs, that will be another thread... In the Back Room. Oh, and yes, finger check: 1 2 3 4 thumb thumb 7 8 9 10All Present and accounted for, SIR!!!
Xwing Posted February 12, 2010 at 01:51 PM Posted February 12, 2010 at 01:51 PM You've got quite the operation going there. Thanks for sharing the pics!
Drylok Posted February 12, 2010 at 02:12 PM Posted February 12, 2010 at 02:12 PM Geez why don't you spend a little time and effort when you make your signs, instead of just slopping something together?! Excellent work there man, quite an operation you have indeed! Welcome to the fight and thanks for joining us!
Arch1GLK Posted February 12, 2010 at 03:46 PM Posted February 12, 2010 at 03:46 PM WOW!Brings back memories of Wood Shop at school. Speaking of which.... Are you the fellow teaching that class at ACORN?LOL.
Don Gwinn Posted February 12, 2010 at 04:36 PM Posted February 12, 2010 at 04:36 PM I sometimes look at the crowds all holding the same signs in our photos and wonder whether anyone will ever think to accuse us of "astroturfing" like SEIU or ACORN. I always thought it would be fun to refer all media inquiries to "Markthesignguy." This thread will provide great LOLs if they ever decide to go there.
markthesignguy Posted February 12, 2010 at 06:11 PM Author Posted February 12, 2010 at 06:11 PM Actually, I want to thank everyone who is joining me....I've been at this since the mid 90's, when we used to counter demonstrate at the opposition's annual smoke and mirrors brouhaha each fall in downtown Chicago. I picked up the duty from Tom Burkhalter, a former ISRA Secretary of many many years, and a most vocal proponent, Tom's well reasoned letters were frequently published in print in the Tribune's editorial letters section, back when a PAPER letter had to be submitted and pass through their system to end up in actual newsprint..Tom organized the counter demonstrations, and brought the signs... I remember when 30 was a reasonable turnout, 60 was great, and Tom's last year before he succumbed to cancer the tribute of 120 people attending was heartwarming, a real gathering of friends.Things sort of dwindled off for many reasons in the ensuing years, with brief bursts of enthusiasm as groups sprung up and died down. Communications have improved, the internet has become an invaluable communications resource. I still tear up a bit to think of what Tom's reaction would have been to the IGOLD 2009 turnout.It hit me when I compared the IGOLD 2008 and 2009 pictures, that the difference ONE person can make at the right place, at the right time, with the right materials. There is NO MISTAKING the purpose or message of THAT group. edit - and I'm STILL at it in 2015!!!!
Molly B. Posted February 13, 2010 at 12:11 AM Posted February 13, 2010 at 12:11 AM Oh WOW! How neat to see how those signs all come together.I never had the privilege to meet Tom but sure wish I could have. Many have come before us and I never for a second forget them when we march down that street - we march for them all. Not enough "thank you's" can be said -You are GOLDEN - Mark - absolutely GOLDEN! Molly B.
templar223 Posted February 13, 2010 at 05:03 PM Posted February 13, 2010 at 05:03 PM May we run this in GunNews? John
markthesignguy Posted February 13, 2010 at 05:42 PM Author Posted February 13, 2010 at 05:42 PM May we run this in GunNews? John Yes, and I want to add a special thanks to the CCRA folks that after IGOLD 2009, took home and stored the huge number of IGOLD 2009 signs, so I would have room to make and transport more! (SAFR 2009 for example)
Lou Posted February 13, 2010 at 08:42 PM Posted February 13, 2010 at 08:42 PM The signs in action - SAFR 2009:
markthesignguy Posted February 24, 2010 at 10:16 PM Author Posted February 24, 2010 at 10:16 PM The paper's here!!! 500 sheets of 11 x 17 official color: Hammermill Fore MP Goldenrod.......... Just under 2 weeks to go!! edit: AND the 6" x 48" sanding belts - now I can finish off that hairy "CB" lath... BUT I got 47 usable out of 50! edit2: I <sneeze> look like a sawdust snowman............. edit3: I sanded them ALL, even the old ones, all nice and smooth...
markthesignguy Posted March 6, 2010 at 09:28 PM Author Posted March 6, 2010 at 09:28 PM The signs are all done, just have to pack them into the car to meet the Rosemont bus to IGOLD Wednesday morning. In the interests of full disclosure, I wish to thank IllinoisCarry member Jeffrey who assisted in the use of his photocopier to run off 500 sheets of 11 x 17 signs. A SIGNIFICANT savings. Also, thanks to my Dad (80), who while not marching at IGOLD(s) due to P.A.D. spent a full 8 hours with me the other day, and also in past years, helping with the 2 man job of gluing the photocopied messages to the sign bases. ***** (It's a lot easier for one person to handle spreading the glue on the sign, and then sliding it over to someone else with completely glue-free clean hands to affix and smooth on the photocopied messages.) *****
Molly B. Posted March 6, 2010 at 09:56 PM Posted March 6, 2010 at 09:56 PM Mark, Those signs are the crowning touch to the march!!!Everyone is SO appreciative of all your hard work! Molly B.
Lou Posted March 6, 2010 at 11:54 PM Posted March 6, 2010 at 11:54 PM This shot shows the full impact of Mark's hard work.What an impression they make!! Mark, you are a true soldier in the fight.
Jeffrey Posted March 7, 2010 at 02:36 AM Posted March 7, 2010 at 02:36 AM Can't wait to see these signs in all their glory Wednesday!
Heavy Posted March 7, 2010 at 05:59 AM Posted March 7, 2010 at 05:59 AM Wow...now this is what I have been looking for. Mark, you are a patriot. I do hereby offer my services in any way that will help. I can cut, print, glue...anything that needs doing. I'm in Villa Park and will come to help anytime. This is our time and we will prevail. Sorry my offer comes so late by the way but...I just got here after a long time of thinking that I was alone.
Lou Posted March 7, 2010 at 01:09 PM Posted March 7, 2010 at 01:09 PM Wow...now this is what I have been looking for. Mark, you are a patriot. I do hereby offer my services in any way that will help. I can cut, print, glue...anything that needs doing. I'm in Villa Park and will come to help anytime. This is our time and we will prevail. Sorry my offer comes so late by the way but...I just got here after a long time of thinking that I was alone. Heavy, welcome to Illinois Carry. You are definitely not alone.
markthesignguy Posted March 9, 2010 at 10:54 AM Author Posted March 9, 2010 at 10:54 AM Hopefully this is my last update to the thread. I hotfooted it up to ULINE in Waukegan Monday to pick up a thousand (smallest quantity I could buy there) 1 mil poly bags 12 x 18 inches. Since the weather forecasts aren't calling for series of bright sunny days bracketing Wednesday, I figured that the signs should be upgraded to "all weather" status, and protected against getting wet. With my past experience of "Murphy's Law", if I hadn't - there would have been enough rain to turn the signs into a soggy mess. Sort of like when you bring an umbrella it doesn't rain. A special thanks to our "newer" member "Heavy", who dropped in Monday evening and greatly accelerated progress in bagging and taping closed the signs. A GREAT guy... To anybody in CCRA that is bringing back last year's signs, I am bringing extra bags for the rest of the signs, and will be looking for you before the march, IF you don't find ME at the exit where the march leaves the building, setting up to hand out the signs. Feel free to PM me here - I'm set up with an email notification when a PM is left, and if contact information / instructions are in the PM, I will follow them.
Heavy Posted March 10, 2010 at 04:58 AM Posted March 10, 2010 at 04:58 AM Thanks Mark and I hope we have many more opportunities to work together. It was a honor to meet a man who has been fighting as long as you have and a real privilege to help in some small way. Keep fighting the good fight! .
05FLHT Posted March 11, 2010 at 01:52 AM Posted March 11, 2010 at 01:52 AM Mark, My wife and I really enjoyed meeting you today, and must say you did a fantastic job as the signs looked great. Seeing them all piled on the tables really puts the amount of work you do in perspective. My wife was really excited to go with me to IGOLD this year, and was ecstatic she could carry a "rape this" sign in the march. Again, thank you!
markthesignguy Posted May 10, 2010 at 05:40 AM Author Posted May 10, 2010 at 05:40 AM bump, I couldn't find this, until I used an old, stored link... Starting all over again for SAFR 2010..
markthesignguy Posted June 25, 2010 at 09:47 AM Author Posted June 25, 2010 at 09:47 AM Bumpitty bump bump bump for SAFR 2010, in full swing!!! Refurbishing old signs (about 80, is that enough?? 60 are done except for handle sanding) and maybe building some new.. being summer, I'm going to try to get the floor standing belt sander outside.... if the weather cooperates. another ream (500 sheets) of blank 11 x 17 24# (solar yellow this time, I think it is a closer match to all those IGOLD shirts, hoodies and hats!!) paper is on the way in!! This is OUR ("golden") opportunity, with the SCOTUS announcement due / done by then, with king richard alternately putting his foot in his mouth or shooting himself in it, as well as other unmentionable hoopala hitting the mainstream local media lately... THUS, any suggestions for signs? 3 or 4 words, pictures, artwork that's computer printable (and reasonably "tame" ) etc?? Remember it is black on "gold"... (photocopied onto colored paper).
Yas Posted June 25, 2010 at 02:12 PM Posted June 25, 2010 at 02:12 PM How about something like ? 28 years Citizens rights restricted ...............Daley gun ban........... Or How many cameras have performed an arrest or stopped a crime in progress? Too wordy for what your asking but I've never been too good at short and sweet
Ol'Coach Posted June 25, 2010 at 03:19 PM Posted June 25, 2010 at 03:19 PM Mark, I never cease to be amazed by all that you do!! Unbelievable! Thank you, SIR!!!
Lou Posted June 25, 2010 at 05:32 PM Posted June 25, 2010 at 05:32 PM How about this one: Constitution = 1Mayor Daley = 0
BadWaterBill Posted June 26, 2010 at 09:50 PM Posted June 26, 2010 at 09:50 PM How about this one "Before the US Civil War, people of African descent living in America were denied the right to defend themselves, and even to assemble peaceably together. Today, in Chicago, that abominable tradition continues."
markthesignguy Posted July 17, 2010 at 07:47 AM Author Posted July 17, 2010 at 07:47 AM Things went well at SAFR 2010, 8 bundles (170 signs) went out (and three DIY blank signs too, in case Mrs. FF needs them!!) 6 bundles (~125) came back... Thank You for the help schlepping them in, around and back to the car afterwards. and as mentioned in the wrong thread: WooHoo!! Just got an anonymous donation of a huge quantity of high quality unbelievably LARGE double thick cardboard sheets in excellent condition!!!! I figure after I'm done cutting, we're talking about enough material for FOUR HUNDRED and EIGHTY SIGNS!!!!! My head is spinning, and so is the saw!!! edit: Finally!! They're cut - three forty four inch tall stacks.
markthesignguy Posted January 14, 2011 at 05:33 PM Author Posted January 14, 2011 at 05:33 PM BUMP, for IGOLD 2011!!! a little update for everyone... As you know, at SAFR 2010 about 50 signs or so went home with our participants. And I received cardboard for and cut 480 new sign bases. Have enough 11x17 paper for 250 signs right now. Now that the holidays are over, it's time to GET GOING.... (here we go again!! ) Hopefully by the last week in January... gotta start getting in bundles of lath, 50 in a bundle yields about 40 handles.Time to start the sawdust battles!! Keeping it IN the basement! BTW - Who lives near O'Hare airport???
Jeffrey Posted January 14, 2011 at 06:30 PM Posted January 14, 2011 at 06:30 PM Mark, I'm here to help again if needed. Jeff
Federal Farmer Posted January 15, 2011 at 05:13 AM Posted January 15, 2011 at 05:13 AM BUMP, for IGOLD 2011!!! a little update for everyone... As you know, at SAFR 2010 about 50 signs or so went home with our participants. And I received cardboard for and cut 480 new sign bases. Have enough 11x17 paper for 250 signs right now. Now that the holidays are over, it's time to GET GOING.... (here we go again!! ) Hopefully by the last week in January... gotta start getting in bundles of lath, 50 in a bundle yields about 40 handles.Time to start the sawdust battles!! Keeping it IN the basement! BTW - Who lives near O'Hare airport??? I'm close enough. What do you need?
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