I’m planning on building a new, hinged sign bench.
Dad used to use Upson board as a pounce wheel backer.
Anyone have a source? Or an alternative?
Thanks…
[ December 31, 2022, 12:43 PM: Message edited by: Nevman ]
Posted by Curt Stenz (Member # 82) on :
Get a sheet of galvanized metal from a sheet metal shop; and get an Electro Pounce. No more sanding or dust. Hand pouncing really tears up the paper, the Electro Pounce makes clean holes. You just trace your lines.
I have an Electro Pounce Junior, which has two settings, high and low. Don't think I have ever used the high setting.
Posted by Rick Sacks (Member # 379) on :
I have not seen Upson Board in fifty years. I have it on my bench. I have half of it covered with metal for Electro Pounce. I don't remember the technical explanation why it's best not to use galvanized metal though. I mostly make my pounce patterns with my Graphtec plotter. Hinged benches are nice, but I don't think I've ever dropped the thing back to the wall. It's 16' and I have the space. Come to think of it, there have been times when it felt crowded with a big trailer or truck in the shop and scaffolding along the side that would be more comfortable without the bench there, but I never moved it. Oh, we also have old sho-card to use as a backing for pounce wheels. We just move it as needed.
Posted by George Perkins (Member # 156) on :
Homasote works great but it can be hard to find.
Posted by Alicia B. Jennings (Member # 1272) on :
How about drywall? That's what my 4 ft X 4ft steel plate is attached to. It's on the wall, not on a table.
Posted by Ken Henry (Member # 598) on :
Newer material suggestion : How about using a sheet of plastic material that has the quality of "self healing" when used as a cutting board ? It also is pre-printed with 1" squares to make the cutting of substrates easier. Many of the suppliers who carry vinyl for plotters also sell these in 4x8' or 2x8' sizes. Upsom board would eventually get covered with hundreds of pinholes where the pounce wheels made their perforations. This new plastic heals up the perforations after you've done making your pattern.
Posted by Nevman (Member # 332) on :
Thanks all.
I get ya Rick about dropping it vertical. Same thing here - 35 years and I dropped it maybe 30 times. And some of those times were to make room for vehicles.
I do like the hinge to raise and lower my work height, and I have got the room, but you’ve got me rethinking my approach.
I got a few leads yesterday when I searched ‘Upson board’ but it was Saturday. I’ll follow up this week
Showcard is a great tip. I’ll have to hit a frame shop next week. I do remember using poster board from Dollar Tree recently but it’s not really thick enough.
I’m not planning on working full blown but only a few signs a month maybe.
I’d love to have an Electro-Pounce but Santa neglected to put it under the tree this year.
Thanks again. It’ll probably take some time but I’ll leave updates.
Edit: I wrote the above yesterday and forgot to click POST.
Drywall seems like it would get messy after a while. I’ve tried self healing but it doesn’t allow the teeth of the wheel(s) penetrate deep enough. Homasote is an alternative. I’ll check into that.
Happy New Year!
[ January 02, 2023, 07:50 AM: Message edited by: Nevman ]
Posted by Don Hulsey (Member # 128) on :
I remember using cardboard before the Electro Pounce. it was cheap and worked pretty well. When it started to get chewed up I would flip it over . when that side got bad I would get another piece. I usually got it from a mattress store . They had boxes that mattresses were shipped in and let me have it for free. Each box has a top and a bottom. If you are not doing a lot one box would last a long time.
Posted by shon lenzo (Member # 1364) on :
Cardboard is what I used when pouncing .
Posted by John Byrd (Member # 825) on :
another vote here for drywall. You can find it in thinner sheets to save weight.
Posted by Gerald Barlow (Member # 3477) on :
Out here in Cali I use 3' conveyor belt. Surplus stores have short pieces for sale. Kind of self-healing.
