Words To Live By
Living in the Driver's Seat
by Randy Willis, owner Driving. Described by advertisers as a utopia of peace and serenity,
or the thrill of a lifetime. Of course those of us living in the real world often deem it
as a necessary evil, lusting over any kind of vehicle to make it more pleasurable. Like
life, driving in its purest form is about getting from point A to point B. Many of us like
to do this as quickly as possible. Many others don’t care. From time to time however,
driving supersedes this nominal pretense and actually becomes enjoyable. So should life!
It’s true that the spirit of the day often causes our lives to resemble a rat race.
This being the case, we tend to grind gears, get into accidents, or burn out all together.
As with the rules of the road and vehicle maintenance, this kind of thing is almost always
avoidable.
Safety First:
Simply put, drive safely. Be aware of road conditions. Keep an eye out for
grandma in the slow lane and for the bone head coming from behind at 95 mph. Traveling in
the same lane for the past 50 miles does not mean we won’t have to switch lanes in
the next 2. We must be aware of what’s going on in the lives of those closest to us.
We can’t afford to be so consumed with the affairs of our own person that we fail to
recognize disaster when it’s about to hit. Pay attention and avoid getting side
swiped by the unexpected. Know the state of family and business, how those around you are
reacting to their own travels. Most of the hurt we experience in life is self-inflicted by
an unwillingness to recognize the need for change.
Check Your Rear View Mirror:
Sometimes understanding where we are going requires realizing where we came from. Be
appreciative of what you do have. Gratitude produces thankfulness for what you no longer
are and for what you’ve now become.
Adjust Your Seat:
Get comfortable with making decisions.
Change your Oil:
Remove distractions. Stick to what matters. Festering over what did or did not happen only
clogs pipes and causes burnout.
Keep Your Gas Tank Full:
Refuel by taking care of yourself spirit, soul, and body. Eat right, exercise. Do
something you haven’t done before. Drive home a different way, get a new haircut. A
fresh perspective may be all you need for that added edge.
Don’t Idle Too Long:
Make decisions and get over offenses as quick as possible. Overheating, wasting time and
fuel, are roadblocks on the road of life.
Avoid Grinding Gears:
Learn from your mistakes. Character weaknesses are often a strength taken to an extreme.
To be a better driver may require receiving new instruction. Be willing to recognize bad
habits producing undesirable results.
Get Rid of Back Seat Drivers:
Rid yourself of negativity. Avoid those who constantly gripe and complain. The road of
life is hazardous enough without surrounding yourself with a "can’t do"
attitude.
Practice Basic Speed Laws:
Don’t get ahead of yourself, keep your priorities straight.
Signal Before Changing Lanes:
Don’t expect others to read your mind. Communicate your ideas and thoughts before
making changes. As a business owner, I can not expect my employees to travel at the same
pace and direction I am going if I fail to communicate the vision.
Enjoy the Ride! 
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Feature
Siphon versus Pressure Pots
by Art Aguilar, contributing writer
 There is a saying about artists only being as good as the tools they
have to work with. The same is true of a professional sandcarver. Using the wrong tools
may produce frustrating, unsatisfactory work. A co-worker of mine told of a situation that
one of our customers experienced, illustrating my point: A little hesitant, a gentlemen
approached our booth at a recent trade show; "We can’t get your stencils to
work," he stated very matter-of-factly. After a quick demonstration, the problem
pointed to the difference between his siphon blaster and our recommended pressure pot. The
man stood amazed as he witnessed the difference in depth, detail, and the ease of use we
handled his stencils with. He had heard the promises of our photo resist, but was never
quite able to obtain them with his siphon system. Needless to say, he walked away with one
of our pressure pots. Although the results yield a world of differences, there are those
that don’t yet understand the distinction between the two systems.
Siphon vs. Pressure Pots
A pressure pot is a system in which the abrasive is in a closed pressurized tank with one
hose carrying a mixture of compressed air and abrasive from the tank to the nozzle. Before
blasting, the user will preset abrasive to air flow at a 50/50 proportion. He or she will
then decide how much pressure to blast at, usually between 25-45 psi for most glass and
crystal items. The user will then step on a foot pedal to begin abrasive flow and step off
to stop the flow. In contrast, a siphon system requires two hoses connecting to a gun
which has a nozzle and an air jet. One hose is for compressed air and one for the siphoned
abrasive. Siphon blasters require much higher pressures (60-80 psi) to yield the same
results as a pressure pot because the abrasive is being "sucked" up and
"spit" at the blasted item rather than accurately carving under pressure.
The Difference
We often say the difference between the two is like taking a bullet and throwing it at
someone, (siphon system) or sticking the same bullet in a gun and pulling the trigger
(pressure pot). One could also say the difference is like sucking through a straw or
launching a rocket. Which ever analogy you choose to remember illustrates the point when
it comes to carving excellent product.
Advantages
Advantages of pressure pots over a siphon system are as follows: 1. Faster - about four
times faster than a siphon. 2. Particle Velocity Range - many pressure pots are designed
to operate from 1 - 125 psi.3. Control of Abrasive Flow Rate - the abrasive valve and the
choke valve permit accurate control of the abrasive flow rate.4. Operator Fatigue Reduced
- pressure pot blast nozzles and hoses are more compact and lightweight, making it easier
to use. Since most pressure pots have a foot switch, this eliminates cramping in the hands
from siphon trigger systems.5. Longer Abrasive Life - blasting at higher pressure (as with
a siphon system) greatly reduces abrasive life. Pressure pots distribute more abrasive at
lower pressure, resulting in lower abrasive breakdown.
Disadvantages
Some disadvantages of a pressure pots are:1. Higher Price - pressure pots are generally
more expensive (by a few hundred dollars) than a siphon system of similar size.2.
Recycling Method - in siphon systems, the abrasive is continuously recycled until the user
replaces it with new abrasive. Pressure pots take about 2-3 minutes to refill manually.
The Bottom Line
Pressure pots are faster, require less air and have more accurate adjustments over siphon
blasters. Siphon systems use nozzles twice the size of pressure pots causing them to be
far less efficient and consume more then twice the air of a pressure pot. Additionally,
siphon systems require larger compressors for continuous operation causing them to work
much harder. Our customer who was not experiencing the promised results of our photo
resist with his siphon system had several problems to overcome: First, the higher blasting
pressure was causing his detail to blow off before he could blast to his desired depth.
Second, the larger nozzle (typical of siphon systems) was giving him a problem when it
came to shading and adding shape and curve to his carve, consequently limiting the type of
work he could successfully produce. Next, what items he could produce, looked mediocre in
comparison to what was possible with a pressure pot. Lastly, he was producing product four
times slower than he could have been doing with his pressure pot. For this customer, a
pressure pot meant a more excellent end piece at a comparable higher price, equaling
an
increased bottom line in his day to day business. Happier customers, new versatility...
well worth his investment for a pressure pot. If you are planning to generate a profit
from your hobby or business, a pressure pot should be your first consideration. The
benefits far outweigh the additional investment for most applications.
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Tips & Secrets
Blasting Bits
by Billy Willis, contributing writerClearing Away the Dust
1. Well maintained dust collector bags will increase suction in your blast cabinet,
removing free floating dust inside the cabinet. Simply shake your dust collector bags
weekly or bi-weekly so as not to allow small particles of dust to get trapped in the fiber
of the bags. Poor maintained bags cause dust particles to pass through the fiber of the
bags, loosing the weave and allowing more particles to escape into your environment.
2. Vent your exhaust away from you dust collector.
3. Replace bags as necessary. Properly maintained bags
should last up to 12 months.
4. Keep your unit running about a minute before loading and
unloading product and while draining the abrasive.
5. Replace worn abrasive. This will decease the amount of
dust created, giving you a cleaner work environment and a better cut.
Why Is My Pressure Pot Shooting Bursts of Sand?
"Why is my pressure pot not working? It’s worked for weeks and I haven’t
touched anything. I step on the foot pedal and bursts of sand shoots out and 30 seconds
later there is nothing but air coming out." Adjust your pressure pot valves.
"We
have never had to adjust our valves before, why should I have to now?" A simple
increase or decrease in blast pressure, and or a change of abrasive will impact your
settings. Additionally, wear to your blast nozzle and blasting hose will merit an
adjustment to your valve settings. Be aware that proper adjustments to your valve settings
will enable you to get the most out of your pressure pot.
Setting Pressure Pot Valves
There are two very important valves on your pressure pot that create the sand to air
mixture:
 1. Air Valve - located at the top of the pressure pot closest to the
side of the pressure tank. This valve supplies air to the blasting line and gives the
abrasive it’s propulsion. If your air valve setting is too lean, you will have bursts
of sand shooting out your nozzle. Lean air mixture will also cause the abrasive to cut
slower. "My foot pedal is broken! I step on it and 30 seconds later the sand stops
and I have to release it and step on it again." This has nothing to do with your
foot pedal. If your air valve setting is open too wide, your abrasive will begin to shoot
well, but after a few seconds it will diminish to all air.
 2. Sand Valve - located at the bottom of the pressure pot closest to
the side of the pressure tank. This valve regulates the amount of abrasive you are etching
with. Set this at 50% wide. No further adjustment should be made. In cases where the valve
is set more then halfway open, the lower portion of the valve will fill with sand while
your pot is idle, resulting in bursting of abrasive until the line is cleared.
Updated
Pressure Pot Settings Information |
Sales
Strategies
The Art of Moving Product into the Market Place
by Jim Jones, CCA managerNotice the
title says, "the art of," that is because marketing is creative. It can be every
bit as creative as producing the product. Most of you have no problem with the creative
process of producing product. However, many of you have problems with the creative process
of marketing your product. As I give you a specific ideas for specific products, expand
that idea into whatever you are doing. Remember, a good marketing idea is just an idea
until you act on it. You need to put the legs on your marketing plan.
Know Your Neighbors
Have you ever noticed that in today’s fast paced society, many of us don’t even
know our neighbors. I hope this is not indicative of where you live, but it is especially
true in Southern California. One of the best ways (and least expensive) to promote
yourself as a sandcarver, is to introduce other people to what you do. Make your abilities
and products known to them: Get other people marketing for you through
"word-of-mouth." Who better to do this then your neighbors? A customer of ours
took my advice and went next door to meet his neighbor: While he was there, he also had an
opportunity to meet his neighbor’s neighbor (who happened to be a high level
executive for a large corporation) whom became very interested in sandcarved product. The
end result of that meeting was a lucrative contract for my customer to produce a large
volume of carved product for his neighbor’s company. In addition, he obtained the
contract for most of their promotional items.
Join a Club
Have you ever heard of the Optimists Club, the Shriners, the Elks, or the Moose Lodge?
These are Philanthropic organizations known for their charitable deeds. The likelihood of
a sandcarver in their membership is slim to none and the fact that these types of groups
and clubs often want the product you produce for recognition and awards, leaves you with a
very good edge. Better yet, you don’t have to join them; you just have to let them
know who you are and what you do. It is highly unlikely that you will be able to walk into
the front door of a large company like Coca-Cola and become their exclusive producer of
sandcarved product. What you want to do is join your local Chamber of
Commerce or Jr.
Chamber. That is where the corporate executives will be and where they will be looking to
find you. Remember, the Chambers themselves are also involved in projects that can use the
products you produce.
Understanding Your Market
Let’s take a look at the obvious: sandcarving is visual. Even if it is just a simple
personalization, it’s visual. Most of the time, there will be design work involving a
logo, custom art, or a generic pattern such as you would find in our Stock Design Catalog.
To the extent that you might control the artwork, it is important for you to understand
what art is popular in your area. Is it southwest or art deco? Are you in a
environmentally or industrially influenced area? If you carve what your region enjoys
looking at (or likes to think about), you have a better chance of selling your product.
Making Samples
As a marketing idea or concept, the previous is a generalization. This next idea is very
specific: When you want to sell into a specific company, personalize a sample for that
company. Don’t take a mug carved with a Chevrolet logo to the Ford agency and expect
them to see the value of giving one to every new customer. Likewise, when you personalize
samples for a specific sale you don’t get, do not give your sample to the company
unless you believe it will generate a future sale. Keep the sample for advertisement
purposes (which then becomes a tax write off) and add it to your sample case.
Visualization
Let’s say you want to produce product for the wedding industry. You want to carve
wedding invitations on display plates and carve toasting flutes, such as seen on page 29
of the CCA™ Catalog. You may also want to produce curved beveled glass with picture
frames as seen on page 11 of the catalog. You may even want to introduce a totally unique
product specific for your region. So the question remains, how do you get your ideas seen
and sold? The answer is just as obvious as personalizing your samples; carve the pieces
and get them where they will be seen by those who will want the product. Take your samples
to the bridal gown shops and jewelry stores that sell a lot of wedding rings. Get them in
party supply stores and tuxedo shops that cater to wedding receptions and ask the
proprietor for a small display area. The response you get will vary, but likely surprise
you. This is when you become a marketing negotiator: the shop may want to give you space
and have you handle all sales through your catalog, sign, business card, etc., without
them having to receive a percentage or involve themselves in the process. They may want
you to handle all sales and they receive a small percentage, or they may want to handle
all sales themselves and receive a larger percentage. Any way you approach it, you are
going to make money. A good sample location will produce a good number of sales and since
the suggested retail price on this product is approximately five times what you buy and
produce the product for, there is plenty of room for negotiation with the proprietor. The
above idea is easily expanded into the Tourist/Gift Industry. I have intentionally stayed
away from the obvious ideas of marketing. Industry advertisement, targeting a certain
market, or using a marketing group are all good ideas, but they can be costly. However, I
do believe you need to get into your local yellow pages as soon as you can. Incidentally,
do not list yourself under sandblasting. You will have the best response if you list
yourself under glass engravers or something similar.
Catalogs
Due to the amount of questions I receive, I am going to touch lightly on the subject of
Catalogs. A high quality, professional looking catalog, such as the one provided to the
Crystal Carver Association™ members, is the most versatile marketing tool you can have.
When you are able to provide a prospective customer with a high quality catalog to
purchase from, it will place you above the competition. A quality catalog will give you
the air of professionalism that you deserve as a producer of fine sandcarved product. As
those of you know who have looked into having them put together for you, a good one is
very expensive. |
