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I just love the Festool circular saw with guide rails. Cheaper than a panel saw but easy to use and it cuts perfect edges. The vacuum picks up all the dust as you cut.
ernie
-------------------- Ernie Balch Balch Signs 1045 Raymond Rd Malta, NY 518-885-9899 Posts: 405 | From: Malta, NY | Registered: Jan 2003
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Electro Pounce Panel saw End Nips (one of my fav and most versatile tools) Digital Camera ...just kidding about the Electro Pounce
-------------------- Ricky Jackson Signs Now 614 Russell Parkway Warner Robins, GA (478) 923-7722 signpimp50@hotmail.com
"If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." Sir Issac Newton Posts: 3528 | From: Warner Robins, GA | Registered: Oct 2004
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My Favorite Tool is My Trusty 3 in 1 Multipurpose SHOPBOT CnC Router.(just a little Dan type Plug) So you ask Whats 3in1 About it.. Well Its a Router, Panel Saw and Lathe. Paint Booth Spindle Sander.
New toy will be a Real Panel Saw, Plasma and a Tig.
""Good judgment comes from experience; and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" - Will Rogers Posts: 3488 | From: Beautiful Newaygo, Michigan | Registered: Mar 2003
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Right now my table saw is in the timeout corner thinking about what it did, so it won't be included in this list today, but that could change tomorrow.
-------------------- Chris Welker Wildfire Signs Indiana, Pa Posts: 4254 | From: Indiana, PA | Registered: Mar 2001
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The most important tool in my shop is my Edge. I don't have any other tool that make more money for me than that (computers, software, electricity, a roof, air conditioning, et al not withstanding).
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I think my most important TOOL is ME!!! LOL...I guess since I don't work with any vinyl I would have to say my brushes/airbrush/compressor/jigsaw/Dremel rotary tool kit.
-------------------- Kelsey Dum Dum Designs Sherwood, AR 72120 501.765.2166 kelsey@dumdesigns.com Posts: 827 | From: Sherwood, AR | Registered: Oct 2005
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I have almost as many tools as the law allows. I especially enjoy my MultiCam Router, plasma cutter and welders.
On my wish list would be a panel saw and eventually some shiney new tool chests as the old ones are very well used.
-grampa dan
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8739 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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I enjoy, in addition to most of the above, a selection of good solid ladders that aren't too high, a portable band saw, a portable generator, and several lloooonnnnggg extension cords.
-------------------- Dale Feicke Grafix 714 East St. Mendenhall, MS 39114
"I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me." Posts: 2963 | From: Mendenhall, MS | Registered: Apr 1999
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I made my own panel saw the other day Dan. It's AMAZING! I've wanted to do it for so long, and last weekend finally got to it. I can't beleive it works and it cuts true. I've got some refinements to make, but I think it'll be about my favorite thing. I only spent $20 for the stuff for it.
Most useful all around multi-purpose would be the Rotozip. Before I had it, it was the Dremel.
I couldn't do without a compressor and spray guns either.
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OK, that does it, demo-how to time, by none other than: Dusty! You got to show us how you did it man I just saw an article in a magazine about the same thing. In order to do the long cuts, the saw turns sideways.
As far as my most important tools? Have to think about it. I really like the 'computer stuff', but since I've only been at it 2-3 years, it seems as though the hand rendered work subsidizes the computer stuff.
Shop truck Big C clamps, such a versatile tool. A tape measure in every room, and the truck.
-------------------- James Donahue Donahue Sign Arts 1851 E. Union Valley Rd. Seymour TN. (865) 577-3365 brushman@nxs.net
Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what's for lunch, Benjamin Franklin Posts: 2057 | From: 1033 W. Union Valley Rd. | Registered: Feb 2003
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-------------------- Harris Kohen K-Man Pinstriping and Graphix Trenton, NJ "Showing the world that even I can strategically place the pigment where its got to go." Posts: 1739 | From: Trenton, NJ, USA | Registered: Jun 2001
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quote:Originally posted by Dusty Campbell: I made my own panel saw the other day Dan. It's AMAZING! I've wanted to do it for so long, and last weekend finally got to it. I can't beleive it works and it cuts true. I've got some refinements to make, but I think it'll be about my favorite thing. I only spent $20 for the stuff for it.
You have got to do a how to on that. I consider myself a hands on kind of guy, so building things suits me.
And you know what they say... "If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." (Red Green)
I would have to say the most important tool in a sign shop is creativity. If you don't have that, you are always going to struggle.
-------------------- Mark Kottwitz Kottwitz Graphics Ridgely, MD www.SeeMySignWork.com -------------------------- Imagination is more important than knowledge. -- Albert Einstein Posts: 746 | From: Ridgely, MD | Registered: Oct 2000
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A first aid kit with Band-Aids, a bottle of New Skin liquid bandage, and super glue depending how severe the cut/scrape is.
What I'd really like to have...
A CNC Wire EDM A 5 axis CNC system that is mobile, floats on a cushion of air from its own base so you can relocate it, then it lowers itself to the floor and levels itself automatically. It also has a working area of 30feetx20ft with a 10ft Z axis. I just wish I could remember who made it.
A Stereolithographic rapid prototyping system
[ June 23, 2006, 08:07 PM: Message edited by: Mike Pipes ]
-------------------- "If I share all my wisdom I won't have any left for myself."
Mike Pipes stickerpimp.com Lake Havasu, AZ mike@stickerpimp.com Posts: 8746 | From: Lake Havasu, AZ USA | Registered: Jun 2000
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Quickbooks Pro Wireless DSL this website Bookmarked
-------------------- Rob Klyver Skeezix Stickers & Signs 2117 Hadden Road Walnut Creek Ca 94596 Posts: 12 | From: Walnut Creek, California | Registered: Jun 2006
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I'll do one definitely. I'll have to get it together.
They thought I was crazy at the hardware dragging gas pipe and fence posts over to the u-bolts, getting out nylon, brass and aluminum sleeves, putting them all back and getting out different stuff multiple times and measuring the plumbing pieces with a ruler I brought.
The computer is a great tool, being able to lay things out in scale is the coolest.
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Sign shops become more specialized, so it would really depend on the market you wish to pursue and whatis in your area. Aside from the simple hand tools, the only must have tools I have are a computer, plotter and a workbench. I don't need a panel saw or a router because I can get my suppliers to take care of the cutting and routing for me. I just send them a file or tell them the sizes to cut. The same goes for digital printing. No need to invest $30,000 into a printer and laminator, I can email or FTP a file and get most graphics delivered in as little as one day. As my business grows, I may entertain doing more in house, but until then, I'll rely on my suppliers to take care of me and I'll focus on what I do best.
Havin' fun,
Checkers
-------------------- a.k.a. Brian Born www.CheckersCustom.com Harrisburg, Pa Work Smart, Play Hard Posts: 3775 | From: Harrisburg, Pa. U.S.A. | Registered: Nov 1998
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quote:Originally posted by Checkers: I don't need a panel saw or a router because I can get my suppliers to take care of the cutting and routing for me. I just send them a file or tell them the sizes to cut. The same goes for digital printing. No need to invest $30,000 into a printer and laminator, I can email or FTP a file and get most graphics delivered in as little as one day.
I have said it time and again, there are too many people that are doing digital printing at such a low cost now a days, its not worth the headache of meeting the lease note, having the right material on hand at all times, storage, color matching...etc.
-------------------- Mark Kottwitz Kottwitz Graphics Ridgely, MD www.SeeMySignWork.com -------------------------- Imagination is more important than knowledge. -- Albert Einstein Posts: 746 | From: Ridgely, MD | Registered: Oct 2000
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Within a 1 mile radius of my place I have two wide format digital printers, a cnc router, a screen printer, a sheet metal supplier that cuts and folds for a buck a time, a hardware that supplies mdf and weathertex cut to order and a retired engineer that welds frames for a case of beer!
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I think if I learn to use what I already have, I'll be doing quite well! Cat
-------------------- Catharine C. Kennedy CCK Graphics 1511 Route 28 Chatham Center, NY 12184 cck1620@taconic.net "Look at me, Look at me, Look at me now! I't's fun to have fun, But you have to know how!" Posts: 2173 | From: downtown Chatham Center, NY | Registered: Feb 2004
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i guess alot of us do different things...checkers sounds like more of a sign broker...which sounds like a great way to go if you don't want all the headaches of fabricating. i just have control issues so farming stuff out doesn't work so hot for me.
but for the shops that do fabricate:
panel saw, table saw, cnc router, versacamm, laminator, racks, computers, nice tables to work on, dewalt kit(jig,skill,drill,zip,lite), mini generator, bosche hammer drill for concrete and granite(like i want to do anymore of those kind of installs..not alone at least), tons of exactos, grommet machine, and plenty of room(which you can never have enough of)etc etc.
-------------------- Karyn Bush Simply Not Ordinary, LLC Bartlett, NH 603-383-9955 www.snosigns.com info@snosigns.com Posts: 3516 | From: Bartlett, NH USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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-------------------- Ken McTague, Concept Signs 57 Bridge St. (route 107) Salem MA 01970 1-978-745-5800 conceptsign@yahoo.com http://www.pinheadlounge.com/CaptainKen
---------------------------------
"A wise man once said that, or was it a wise guy?" Posts: 2425 | From: Salem, MA | Registered: Apr 1999
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My 3 best tools: 1. My Delta 220 V. Unisaw 1A. My Panel Saw 2. My Dell with Omega and Corel 3. My Gerber Sabre 3A. My Bucket Truck
My most wanted: 1. Metal Lathe 2. Photoshop 3. All of the Letterheadfonts
My most wanted (theoretical): 1. Human cloning machine so I can be in more place than one. 2. An extra set of hands. 3. An Exacto and Tape measure that never gets lost.
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When it comes to installations (or take-downs)a reciprocating saw can be a life saver. You may not need it all that often, but when you do, it's worth its weight in gold. And to go along with it, a portable power supply.
Dan
-------------------- Dan Marquis Marquis Signs Lewiston, Maine dan@marquissigns.com Posts: 118 | From: Lewiston, Maine, USA | Registered: Dec 1998
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I didn't add "My most wanted" Item to my post.
A super silent lightweight Honda Generator!
It's a PITA running electric leads to some of our outdoor jobs ... Hoardings, walls, murals etc. Sometimes that isn't possible because of distance.
Murphy's Law states that battery tools always die before the job is finished! And the spare battery is flat! Besides I haven't found a battery driven HVLP Spray unit yet!
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