Foam

[twelchPTM]

I understand that in this day and age everything is about faster and cheaper but I can't stand the thought of making anything out of any kind of foam. Bottom line is a solid substate will out last. I can't imagine the thought process involved in deciding to got with foam..."It will wear out X amount of time but them we'll just get a new one!" I personally love to see a business operating with the same sign out front that my dad and his dad saw when they were my age. It shows a level of quality that is almost non-existant in this day.

Not a big thing but I'm just sayin'....

[twelchPTM]

P.S. It sucks to realize your a grumpy old man bofore your even "middle age"

[genek]

what solid substrate are you talking about.. that can be carved etc with the shopbot.

[bleeth]

Eugene:
For many years carved signs were done with redwood, pine, etc.
Just ask Joe Crumley!
Take a gooogle at oriental temple carvings. Some of the stuff I have seen still makes my head swim. No Foam.

[genek]

yes those are very detail and beautiful... i hand carve a wood spirit.. but the time required to do so in wood by hand, no one will pay the price.. I HAD THOUGHT THAT HE WAS TALKING ABOUT WOOD. HOWEVER WITH ME BEING NEW TO MAKING SIGNS WANTED TO MAKE SURE THERE WAS NOT SOMETHING ELSE OUT THERE. WOOD STILL HAS TO BE MAINTAINED. REPAINTED AND SEALED GOOD.

[bleeth]

Yep-it sure does.
Modern closed cell foams with good density will also last an incredibly long time. It is non biodegradable so won't rot and when properly coated/finished will last as long as any sign. PVC will also last phenomenally long and the Acrylic used in Kolorcore won't fade or rot either.
Today they all have their place.
There is nothing cheap about a well made foam sign either.
And by the way Tom-this is coming from someone who is called a grumpy old man on a regular basis!!! Just ask my wife;)

[genek]

Women always thinks men are grumpy.. When it is actually them that are grumppy...

[twelchPTM]

To be honest its not neccisarily the foam that i'm mad at. More the faster,cheaper, disposable direction society is constantly moving in. Service with a smile and common curtesy are things of the past and the intelligent employee is a dying breed. The 'Bot forum is probly not even the place for this particular rant however I had a few and was reading through the post and foam kept coming up and while there are some very resiliant foams out there it is often used to make sub-par products that are still priced as though they were quality