Erik Sine

UPDATED - Features

Just a quick note Board patron's can now insert their social Media sites to their profile, and it will appear in each post as well as when someone hovers over your name with the mouse as well as a few other key areas. WHERE IT CAN SHOW WHERE TO FIND THE SETTINGS - INSERT YOUR SITES, SOCIAL, MEDIA, GAMING, ETC As always, thank you very much for supporting The Sign Syndicate and the rest of the Electric Sign Community

First, I want to thank all of the Sign Syndicate Members chose to support this site by upgrading their free membership to that of a Board Patron. We really appreciate it! INSTALLER / MEMBERSHIP MAP Second, don't forget to add yourself on Sign Installer Map here http://www.thesignsyndicate.com/forums/index.php?/membermap/ ELECTRIC SIGN SUPPLY DISCOUNTS Third, as a Board Patron you will get discounts on most products on our Online Store: http://www.thesignsyndicate.com/forums/index.php?/store/ However, I just noticed a lot of those discounts disappeared from the recent site upgrade. So I'll be working on getting those back up in the next day or two, I have to do it all manually. SOCIAL MEDIA ICON LINKS Forth, add your Company Social Media Sites viewable by all http://www.thesignsyndicate.com/forums/index.php?/forums/topic/8273-more-board-patron-features/ STICKY PADS Have the ability to send yourself or someone a sticky note. (How to, to come) POST SIGNATURES Create Signatures that are viewable with each post you make on The Sign Syndicate. You can be allowed to upload a gif or jpeg image, ad a link to your signature than can be seen in every post you make to topics. Short video on how to post create signatures, profile pictures and more http://www.thesignsyndicate.com/forums/index.php?/forums/topic/5108-video-tutorial-create-avatars-signatures-create-threads-posts/ Signatures for NON-Distributor/Sign Supply/Equipment Companies only. See Board Vendor Membership for this promotional/advertising signatures If you're not already a Board Patron and would like to join for Full Board Access you can do so from this link below Thank you again for your support of The Sign Syndicate as well as the Electric Sign Community!

Anyone know the "green" channel letter face specs? I have never seen anything other than white with a green background. Is there a translucent Green Film or Acrylic/Polycarb spec?

How A Utah Company Became Nevada's Go-To Shop For Neon http://kuer.org/post/how-utah-company-became-nevadas-go-shop-neon#stream/ Ever since he was a young, Will Durham admits he’s had an affinity for neon. It’s hard not to when you grow up casino-studded town like Reno, Nevada. “When I was a kid I had a hard time going to sleep and I would always see that glow of downtown Reno and the neon,” he says. “And I knew there was still action going on, and I wasn’t the last one awake. And I think that kind of sparked the interest.” For the last two decades, Durham, who still lives in Reno, has been collecting vintage neon signs from old, retro-looking motels and roadside businesses — the kinds of places that seem to be disappearing across the desert West. He’s had to rent space to store all the signs — 100 and counting — and his garage is stuffed with them, too. He has to carefully maneuver around to get to a wall plug to light them all up. Among his signs, there’s a creepy clown, a couple of cowboys and a very happy man pulling a lever on a slot machine. “You can see the coins falling, he’s actually winning,” he says. He got that one from a place called the El Rancho in Wells, Nev., and he guesses it's probably 60-70 years old. Durham says there aren’t a lot of companies left doing this type of work, but there is one: the Young Electric Sign Company, or YESCO. “They’re maybe the most prolific in Nevada, and they've been around a long time," he said. Drive around Nevada long enough, and it’s impossible to have missed the work of the nearly century-old Young Electric Sign Company. That “Welcome To Fabulous Las Vegas” sign that tourists take selfies in front of? That’s YESCO. Reno’s arch? YESCO. The 40-foot Vegas Vic or Wendover Will cowboys with hundreds of feet of winding neon tubing? Also YESCO. From billboards to office parks to the Las Vegas Strip, the company is one of the oldest manufacturers of commercial signs in the U.S. And although their signs are nearly synonymous with Vegas, they’re actually headquartered here in Utah. Jeff Young is a third generation co-owner of YESCO. It was founded by his grandfather Thomas Young in Ogden in 1920. He gave a tour of their Salt Lake factory last year. In the late 1920s, his grandfather saw an opportunity in a trendy new lighting technology made popular by a French engineer. So he applied for a license and got one of his first commissions: the Boulder Club in Las Vegas, in 1931. “The race for signs in Vegas really started right there with with Thomas Young, Sr. and his license with neon and we've never stopped,” says Jeff Young. “And so you talk about where neon really started in the Intermountain West and in the western U.S., and really the roads kind of all lead back to Tom Young.” Jeff Young and his two brothers now run the business, with more than 100 locations across the U.S. and in Canada. He says people are still surprised with they learn that some of the most iconic signs in Vegas came from a Utah company. “Oh, there’s a great contrast there,” he says. “You have a fairly clean-cut family and a rather conservative community building the biggest, brightest, flashiest signs in the world.” Inside their small neon shop in Salt Lake, neon bender Dave Corey blows into a small pipe that snakes into a glass tube he’s holding over an open flame. The pipe helps him keep the right amount of pressure so he can shape the tube into a curvy and alluring letter ‘B.’ “A lot of people think you're actually blowing glass," he says. "But for the most part you're not really blowing into the tube. When the heat heats the air that's inside the tube, it expands.” Corey has worked for YESCO for 30 years. He’s often thinking in the third dimension when figuring out how to make a sign into one seamless piece. Neon makes up only 10 percent of their business today, and most of that is for servicing and repairing older signs. LEDs are what most businesses want. Not only do they use less power and last longer, but companies can easily program them to swap out their graphics or messaging. Young says it’s also harder to find people who can invest the time to learn a trade like neon, which can take years. “Dave’s skill at bending is just phenomenal,” says Young. “We hate to say neon is a dying art, but the reality is it's hard to find a Dave in this world of ours. And it's harder harder to find people who are really good at this trade.” Will Durham, the Reno neon collector, says it’s an artform worth preserving. Part of it is nostalgia, he admits, but aesthetically, neon’s soft colors and sinuous curves are just more pleasing to the eye. He’s currently fundraising in hopes of establishing a permanent home for his collection. “You're never going to see these neon extravaganzas again," he says. "Like the 150-foot sign with miles and miles of pulsing neon, you’re never going to see that again.” But that won’t stop Durham from collecting what’s left of them. And it won’t stop YESCO’s Dave Corey from bending away in his small workshop in Salt Lake.

Just updated this Topic with the U.L. SAM Wet Location Certification Try getting that certification from other s14 LED Lamp Manufacturers, chances are they have NONE!

Just to give an update. With so much volume of the Constant Current Reckless-2 being moved/sold the cost has come down so we're passing that right along to our customers. If you haven't noticed our Constant Current Color NC LED modules are now priced the same as the whites. We're selling a lot of colors! We now offer a lower powered version of our Reckless LED Line, a .72w for our Reckless-2 & Reckless 3. A lot of wholesalers and large volume customers seem to like these better so they can spread out the LED Power Supply Load. To be honest, there is not a lot of visual difference on illuminated sign surfaces between the .92w and .72w Reckless-2 For the folks familiar with Neon, the Reckless-2 .92w LED module light output is just about on par with a single stroke of a 13mm Tri-Phosphor Neon Lamp. That should give you an idea just how bright these suckers are! Also new on our Reckless-2 Line is, they also come in 3000K, 4000K, 5000K in a .72w module. The 3000K has been a very popular choice for our customer who are doing Way-finding / architectural signs and those that might illuminate slate and stone When it comes to building parameter (under trough) lighting our Reckless-2 & Reckless-3 .72 watt modules have been a big hit. These have been used for the Mor Furniture Stores in the Western States. With our High Powered .92 watt and 1.2watt modules used to light up the Monstrous Day Night Face Channel Letters Since we've been distributing our NC Reckless LED Line I can't tell you how many satisfied customers we have gained over time. I've been a sign producer like you and I'm picky as hell when it comes to integrating components into my signs. I've also been in the ear like a gnat of quite a few people and when the failures finally came for them from their inferior constant voltage (eco) product they were sold based on Hype and cost from and American LED Company or Supplier.... a product imported from China, they tried the Reckless and so far never looked back. The NC Reckless LED's aren't cheap I know, but their High-End, and you'll always get what you pay for. Build signs with these and you'll build happy customers If you're a Neon guy looking for that dependable High Powered kick in light output, like i said earlier, a single stroke of the Reckless-2 is like a single stroke of a 13mm Tri-Phosphor Neon Lamp. Well....It's been a fun ride so far, and thank a big thank you for all our customers, I DO enjoy serving you!

Maybe @anthonyk

After China announced today that their putting a large 25% tariff on all American imports Trump said he's slapping a 50% Tariff on all Chinese LED's so us Americans had to go back to Neon I was wondering when the sales pitch was going to drop......thanks for coming

oh boy

I'll be adding in a few more today but if anyone has any names or dealings with that aren't already in our List http://www.thesignsyndicate.com/forums/index.php?/forums/forum/81-national-sign-service-co-review-list/&/forum/81-national-sign-service-co-review-list/= Please feel free to drop us some contact info so we can include

When you upgrade your free membership to a Board Patron (The Order), or by becoming a regular customer of our online Sign Supplies, you will have the ability to place your company on our Sign Installer Map. This is a mapping system that helps other Sign Companies find you for subcontract work (Service & Install), or by location as a Vendor. The Installer map is located at the upper horizontal menu bar, or click this link located here. http://www.thesignsyndicate.com/forums/index.php?/membermap/ Just click on the "My Location" Button, or it can show as "Update My Location" if you want to change it. We lost quite a few markers when we upgraded the site recently, and I apologize for you having to redo. This mapping system is still in the process of upgrading so in the upcoming days you will see small changes such as the mebers company name also appear when you hover/click on a marker. Membership Upgrade Link http://www.thesignsyndicate.com/forums/index.php?/store/category/1-membership-upgrade/

ONE WEEK ONLY! CALL IN OR EMAIL FOR FREE SHIPPING ON 10+ ORDERS

So.... I've had some recent conversations (phone and in person) and just wanted to remind everyone who might be taking a interest in our awesome NC Reckless LED's. Our NC LED's are NOT the same as NC LED's sold by other distributors. I don't care what they might be telling you NC LED is really growing and branching out. Our NC Reckless LED line is named "Reckless" for a reason, their NOT the same module you could have gotten a sample from some other Vendor here in the US or abroad i.e. Europe. A quick side by side comparison is the DEAD giveaway. NC LED Recently opened up a plant in Vietnam and they make all kinds of modules from various diode producers including Samsung, their catering and competing with other lower tier/cost LED Manufacturers here in the US and all over the world. The NC LED Lower Tier modules are still good, don't get me wrong and much better than the other lower tier manufacturers. NC LED makes LED modules from all kinds of various Diode Producers like LG, SOL, Samsung, etc, and even some Chinese Chips (Vietnam). That being said.... Our NC Reckless LED's are specifically made in Korea, and unique. Our modules are built to specific configurations (we chose from our testing) ONLY with top tier top grade Samsung Diodes. Honestly there is over 30+ Samsung grades and when you open up a magazine like Signs of The Times and see flash words like "Samsung" & "50¢ per module". NOT THE SAME THING, sorry if you bought something called Samsung and expect that to be a Top Tier diode just because of name.....SURPRISE! That is lower tier/grade garbage I would not use commercially With a background in electric sign production I wouldn't do that to you. Our Reckless LED Line is the Cream of The Crop when it comes to NC LED Modules, there is a reason why ours appear "True White" compared to other NC LED's (lower cost) and those other LED's you may be currently be purchasing. Our module specifications have on board current drivers (Constant Current) and NOT Constant Voltage (resistor base) for long life. I'm not putting down or detouring anyone from other NC LED's, they are good quality and better than 75% or on par with all the crap out there in the market....but....their not TOP Tier or High-End. BIG Difference! Anyone who has been buying our LED line, thank you for supporting our high-end quality products for your projects and customers and for supporting The Sign Syndicate. Rest assure you're good when it's from us! Side Note, our offering is expanding in colors, as well as White Temperatures 3000K, 8000K, & Soon 4,000K, 5,000K, 2700K Check us out http://www.thesignsyndicate.com/forums/index.php?/store/category/43-nc-led/

Restoring the Past: Group raising funds to refurbish, display neon signs from Rt. 66 http://www.ky3.com/content/news/Restoring-the-Past-Group-raising-funds-to-refurbish-display-neon-signs-from-Rt-66-477554943.html ST. ROBERT, Mo. -- "As a nation, sometimes we're not protecting our history." That's why Beth Wiles, the President of the Pulaski County Route 66 Preservation group, started a project to restore old neon signs, and put them on display in a so-called "neon park." "We've been working on obtaining signs. We have five of them stored locally. We have one of them in St. Louis, and three others throughout the state that are in the care of the association," Wiles said. Signs from places like the Motel St. Louis, the Stanley Courtel, the Motel Linair, and a sign from the Modern Cabins. "It was originally located in the Bassett Insurance Agency area of St. Robert, that is just down from the park area," Wiles said. The group has several signs, but they're still looking for more to display in the park. "The signs that are eligible for the park must have been located on Route 66 between 1926 and 1984, and we also are looking for the motels, the diners, shopping, things related to the automobile," Wiles said. "Those are all qualifiers for the park." They also still need help raising money to refurbish them. "Restoring these signs is not inexpensive," Wiles added. "You've got the transmitters, all of the wiring, the blown glass tubing. As we look at the Modern Cabins sign, we're looking at probably about $7,000 just to restore that sign, and it's fairly small compared to the Linair for instance. That's 19 feet tall." But Wiles says she feels it's all worth it. "I think it's going to be exciting. I think it's going to be a great anchor attraction for the state as well as our area." The group has a while to go until they reach all the funds they need to refurbish the signs and get the park completed, but Wiles said she hopes the first three signs will be ready to be put up in Spring 2019.

On a side note. I have to chuckle..... I read somewhere on some social media site post that ISA will be having a meet/discussion at the Expo to talk aluminum. Also, that their so connected to "DC" and that they will be working with politicians to get things turned around. What does that mean? Does that mean their position is that they want to create/aid opposition to the tariffs, or help build our industry and plants back up from the ashes? Because right now at their their show it's a CHINA expo, with very little "America" ISA can do their part by promoting and giving discounts to all American Vendors/Exhibitors if they really cared. I bet our Vendors get taxed when they go to Signs CHINA Expo

Dave, Our previous wonderful Presidents have let other countries have their "way" with us. We haven't had fair trade up until now. When has NAFTA ever benefited our Farmers, factories Automobile plants etc for us? Our farmers are suffering and losing their farms, our plants ar just about shut down in the last 30 years. Our largest steel plants are about to shut their doors. Other countries tax our exports 25%+, we tax them 2.5%. Is this fair? Does Canada do this? When you say "his way" you mean our way, because this President, our President is following through on promises he ran on and was voted in to fulfill, like him or not. Cost for us may go up for the short term (hopefully), and that's something we may just have to bite on a piece of leather for a bit,...but this is to get/rebuild our industry back up because we're losing it.

I happened to call SignComp because I may have a possible upcoming project. Supposedly their not affected by the tariffs so I guess their Aluminum is not imported. They will have a slight increase on their products starting this April 1st of 6% but nothing to do with the Chinese deal

Heh, Read this post and decided to call my regular plastics/alum sales and I guess their down to their last few pre-finished white alum sheets (China) and they only have 4'x10' now and their thinking it will be about 3 months until they see the next shipment of the regular 4x8's. He was telling me the big American company was about to close their doors in a few months because they couldn't compete with the Chinese. So it will be interesting what happens in the next few months with pricing and how that will fluctuate

How generous, the unique patented Sign Money EZlit Letters and EZlit Logo's come with a 1 year warranty. Replacement parts can be new or "refurbished". Also, any labor to replace during this 1 year period is not part of the warranty. I have to chuckle that he's in the electric sign industry yet Neon needs to be installed by other "experts". Also if his Faux Neon letter "E" was Neon he would get zapped at 15,000 volts for just merely touching the glass... "so you don't want to do that". But yet in a video is it was said he's actually an "electrician"....I guess in his videos he's just playing to the end-user, consumer audience that can install themselves If you spend a little more with them he might throw in his "Sign Monkey Archimedes Hydropower Screw Generator" to go with your plug-n-play channel letter set that "anyone" can install, maybe even a monkey. In all seriousness though....the Owner of Sign Monkey is also the owner of Paris Signs in West Virginia, a company that seems to know what their building judging from their gallery pages. So I don't know why the whole "Sign Monkey" thing The address of both companies are the same. He seems to be using Osram LED's, which is listed on the Monkey. He explains that his Neon LED is more efficient than Neon....uh...Wut?!?! The watts per foot is about the same if not less for Neon 3.7 watts per foot LED vs 3 watts per foot Neon. We don't even have to go into Lumens because the whites, greens, blues etc for Neon is 3x to 10x that of LED for "faux Neon" He's also a member here, with no participation since 2009 and recently rejoining last year. As a member, shame on him for throwing Neon under the bus, he should be better educated and informed than that by just reading here with all the data we pump out on cost of operation for light sources,, but then again, he's not active here so.... ******* Our NON CHINA.... NC Reckless LED's comes with a 5 year warranty (50,000 hour) and will cover up to $500 for labor costs per incident. To this date we have not had ANY come back to us. But then again, we aren't toting our LED systems directly to the consumer. But any consumer should rest assured if their Signs are lit by our Reckless LED's! Okay, shameless "plug" with no pun intended......*kek*...plug

pictures or it didn't happen

I think we'll be going to our SGIA Show this year. Thought maybe we'll go to check out. It's mostly a printy show but, think we'll be going to prospect it out.

So, as of today all alum & steel from countries like China will now have a tariff of 15% & 25%. As we know, our industry buys a LOT from China, especially a lot of cheap products. I haven't looked into it but I know there are quite a few alum companies who's coils and pre-finished aluminum sheets will now cost a lot higher. I wonder if those finished alum projects will have a tariff too, such as alum letters and alum sign structures? Maybe hard in the beginning, costs will go up, but hopefully American growth will happen again and those costs with lower regulation can get those costs down and start competing on the world market again. After all shouldn't a tax be equal between two countries? If China taxes our exports to them 25%, should we not equally tax theirs? Thoughts?

Had a customer send this to us by email, maybe they'll chime in a tell us more but... It's simple, they're replacing cheap plastic LED power supplies made in CHINA with better quality, better thermal cooling LED Power Supplies...OUR Union Korean Made LED Power Supplies. Our 60 watt (displayed above) is IP68, Recognized by UL as Class II (SAM) and for Wet Location. These are versatile, you can use in a box or sign structure, or use externally. Most importantly you can breath easy when your UL Inspector surprises you with a visit and sees these units, including our 120watt version which is one of the few approved and listed in the SAM The cheap plastic Chinese LED Power Supplies by Principal LED & others are great for areas that have good cooling like external fans or for your kids school science projects but not in closed areas where ventilation is not great. The "cheapies" are attractive for the price at $12 or less, but not great for consumers who have to pay the service bill of a crane and labor to replace because as professionals we know these only last for short periods of time. "Buy the best and only cry once"