Ruby v. Amber-- key differences?

[crossedfingers]

Also HYNES, where do you get your scalpels from? I never know where I can buy stuff like that.

[jayryan]

he just keeps going in for surgery, and running out with a handful just after they start to put him under.

[perkins]

They're both designed more for the offset printing industry, which doesn't use the same exposure methods as screen printing. Sometimes the screen exposure lamps will burn right thru the amber, but not so much the ruby.

[crosshair]

Originally Posted by HYNES

argghhh i dunno what it is about exactos but I find them very hard to use, those swivel blade contraptions are a nightmare. I use surgical scalpels (swann Morton) I think they have far better control if you learn to use it right.

Swivel blade definitely takes some getting used to; you have to 'lead' the curve, as the point trails the center of the handle.

I always liked plain old #11 exacto blades for straight lines, but couldn't make fluid curves with them. Never tried a scalpel.

Used the poky point of a compass to peel; exacto blades were annoying for that.

Jeez now I want to do an all-rubylith poster. It's been years but I used to do a lot of that. What a cool medium.

[seireyho]

Originally Posted by crosshair

Swivel blade definitely takes some getting used to; you have to 'lead' the curve, as the point trails the center of the handle.

I always liked plain old #11 exacto blades for straight lines, but couldn't make fluid curves with them. Never tried a scalpel.

Used the poky point of a compass to peel; exacto blades were annoying for that.

Jeez now I want to do an all-rubylith poster. It's been years but I used to do a lot of that. What a cool medium.

Ditto that. Time to throw out the computers!

[HYNES]

Originally Posted by crossedfingers

Also HYNES, where do you get your scalpels from? I never know where I can buy stuff like that.

I dont think you can get Swann Mortons in the US for some reason, i get mine from England (though you cant order online because they wont ship the blades as far as i can remember). I just did a quick search and came up with these distributors in America:
http://www.swann-morton.com/distributors.php

I'm sure theres other american brands out there - i personally find them far more ergonomical and controlable than exactos cylinder shape and the blade NEVER loosens like exactos. Hell, surgeons slice faces up with these things and put them back together flawlessly - its got to be the right tool, right?

[crossedfingers]

Originally Posted by crosshair

Jeez now I want to do an all-rubylith poster. It's been years but I used to do a lot of that. What a cool medium.

Do it do it!!!! I think it's a fascinating medium.

[HYNES]

Originally Posted by jayryan

he just keeps going in for surgery, and running out with a handful just after they start to put him under.

forget that last post - this is how i get them, along with a couple of blank prescription pads each time. (PM me...)

[crossedfingers]

Originally Posted by HYNES

I dont think you can get Swann Mortons in the US for some reason, i get mine from England (though you cant order online because they wont ship the blades as far as i can remember). I just did a quick search and came up with these distributors in America:
Swann-Morton Distributors

I'm sure theres other american brands out there - i personally find them far more ergonomical and controlable than exactos cylinder shape and the blade NEVER loosens like exactos. Hell, surgeons slice faces up with these things and put them back together flawlessly - its got to be the right tool, right?

This is true. For the record, I hate how exactos blades loosen-- first time I used 'em they'd stick in what I was cutting instead of in the barrel about 75% of the time. Super annoying when you're trying to concentrate on an accurate cut. Thanks for doing the legwork on the search for me-- I'll definitely check them out.

[Iron Canvas Studios]

been meaning to try some of this out for a poster or two, I came across a "shit ton" of ruby for free from the print shop I work at since we don't use it anymore.