My nose was firmly against the grindstone at work on a monday when I received a call from Sherri, the owner of City Antiques of Grand Rapids, Michigan. She was shopping at Bungalow 47 in Williamston, Mi (Owned by my Mother-in-Law Chantelle) and saw one of my signs for sale and inquired about me.
We had soon agreed I would fabricate a letter A, C, and S for Sherri to sell in her store The kicker was she wanted them by saturday morning. I had done bigger projects in the same amount of time so I wasn't worried.
The only speed bump was that my plasma cutter is currently on the fritz so I had to complete these letters with stone age tools, electric shears and an angle grinder.
Here is the A with sides welded on.
The font of this C was the first letter C I found in the closest magazine and put it under my small projector then traced it on the sheet metal. From there it is cutting and grinding.
I found this block letter S online somewhere and used my projector again to transfer it. Having my plasma cutter working would have saved me some time with the grinder getting those inside radiuses and curves smooth.
I use a sheetmetal stepped drill bit to drill the holes for the bulb lights.
Sherri requested flat black for color and "beat up/distressed" as a finish. It is a funny feeling creating something then intentionally beating it up. Being a CNC machinist I strive to make parts that measure precisely and also look good. However the customer is always right.
For the A and the C Sherri requested a flat rustic red also distressed to look old.
Once I got used to dulling and beating up my work it became kind of fun.
This was fun project, I am glad that Sherri found me through her shopping trip at Bungalow 47. Look up City Antiques and Bungalow 47 on Facebook they have some cool items for sale.
