Carboy Level/Calibration Sticker Prototype

[CereousBrewer]

Subscribed. Finally, I can get my carboys organized!

 

[jvcjbl]

I'll take pics... PM me if your interested!!

 

[MetallHed]

PM sent, bobby!

You rock!

:rockin:

 

[BrewMoreBeers]

I am assuming that various sizes of carboys are standard sizes... if that is true, could one make a single vertical sticker that is graduated. This would allow the user to apply the sticker by filling say three gallons into a standard 5 gallon carboy and then applying the five-gallon graduated carboy sticker using the water line as a three gallon reference point. Thus, calibrating the sticker and making their application easier.

Obviously there would need to be different sticker for 6-gallon carboys and so on.

 

[wyzazz]

I don't know that I'd trust that.

 

[tomije87]

The reason for the triangles over a thinner line is that it would be a lot more robust as far as adhesion is concerned. A small tick mark could be scraped off.

I'm not really sure how the numbers are fabricated, but would it be possible to have the line in white vinyl, but a larger surface area surrounding the line in clear vinyl, so that application would be feasible and the line would be visible and less bulky?

 

[Bobby_M]

My intent on the triangles is to point to the level that is being indicated. I think when you see the pictures of their install and a video showing how they are applied, it will be more clear. Certainly these can be made to be tiny, but why make it harder to read than it has to be?

I'm also going to pickup a yard of "frosted" semi opaque vinyl to simulate etched numbers. That might look pretty slick.

 

[Bobby_M]

I am assuming that various sizes of carboys are standard sizes... if that is true, could one make a single vertical sticker that is graduated. This would allow the user to apply the sticker by filling say three gallons into a standard 5 gallon carboy and then applying the five-gallon graduated carboy sticker using the water line as a three gallon reference point. Thus, calibrating the sticker and making their application easier.

Obviously there would need to be different sticker for 6-gallon carboys and so on.

The problem is that carboys have been made for almost a hundred years and a lot of people have all kinds of different ones from Mexico and Italy. People that have broken them have noted how much variance there is in thickness. The capacities are nominal at best.

I completely understand the idea of marking a known volume and doing a single one-step application, but it's not that hard to pour a gallon of water in five or six times, and then a quart at a time another couple times if you want more resolution at the top. It sure beats the 15 gallon sight glass calibration headache ;-)

 

[wehumble]

I can also do these as negatives to act as stencils for acid etching.

If you decide you want someone to prototype test the acid etch versions, let me know.

Cutting out numbers by hand sucks, and I've got 3 carboys to go.

 

[Bobby_M]

The one thing I'm curious about is if the positive vinyl application version looks great and is durable enough, there really isn't much of a reason to acid etch and go through the added trouble of removing the stencil. I'm not saying the etching doesn't look great.

 

[twardnw]

If you're still looking for a very permanent vinyl, look up General Formulations 201HTAP. It's ~3-4mil, but super aggressive adhesive, we use them at work for applying to cotton, holds up very well for that, even better on a hard surface.

 

[wehumble]

Your probably right about no need to etch if the vinyl holds up. I was just volunteering to be the guinea pig and you did bring it up. Also, I was too damn slow to get the free samples.

 

[Bobby_M]

If you're still looking for a very permanent vinyl, look up General Formulations 201HTAP. It's ~3-4mil, but super aggressive adhesive, we use them at work for applying to cotton, holds up very well for that, even better on a hard surface.

Thanks for that suggestion.

 

[Bobby_M]

Ok, I finally got around to marking my first carboy. Oh yeah, it's sweet. In a big fat 6.5 gallon, the distance between the quarts is a little tight so I moved them over. In hindsight, I didn't really need it.

 

[JNye]

NICE! is this the final size or will you reduce the size of the gallon numbers?

 

[jvcjbl]

Looks bitchin'!!! Can't wait to get mine!

 

[Golddiggie]

How about for Better Bottles PET carboys? I would imagine that the 5 and 6 gallon sizes would be the same, from them, since they are pretty new.

I'm interested in these too. I have mostly PET carboys (one 6 gallon, two 5 gallon) for beer, using the glass ones for mead (purchased brand new late last year) in 3 and 5 gallon sizes...

How much will these be, and when will they be available?

 

[Bobby_M]

I have to see how long it takes me to cut, weed and back mask in a full production run to figure out the price. My gut feeling before doing the figuring is $8 for a two pack. I can get 8 into an envelope and it would ship for 44 cents.

I'll probably add them to the site after a few people try them out.

 

[Bobby_M]

The freebies are on the way out but check this out for now.

 

[MetallHed]

he he he I'm so excited!

 

[Bobby_M]

Does anyone think two triangle/arrows per number is redundant?

Now that I went through the process on my own carboy, I'm confident that I'll be producing these in mass but I'm still not sold on the design 100%. Sure, it's completely functional, but I'd rather have everyone thrilled with the design before I start cranking them out. Two other ideas:

 

[wyzazz]

I like that bottom design!

 

[GetLooseontheGoose]

I like these new ones!

 

[flyfishnc]

I like the bottom one as well.

 

[JNye]

bottom one is nice. it allows the user to go as far as they want, or as simple. I like that it'll keep everything straight in one line too. nice work.

 

[Bobby_M]

Another idea:
Keep in mind, where you see black is the actual vinyl, white areas are voids.

 

[wehumble]

Bobby, how durable is the vinyl as the shapes get smaller? I like the small line markers but will they hold up as well as the larger triangles?

 

[BrewMoreBeers]

Bobby, how durable is the vinyl as the shapes get smaller? I like the small line markers but will they hold up as well as the larger triangles?

Good point... These need to hold up during cleaning and use for years. Else, it could hurt your reputation as a quality vendor. I would suggest doing a test on the smaller pieces to see if they can withstand a long PBW soak and agitation/scrubbing.

 

[Golddiggie]

I like the upper one (of the two in the one posting)...

If this is the same type of vinyl that's used in sign making (I worked at a sign shop for a number of years) then I don't think there's much to worry about for durability. If anything, include an extra one, or two, per order to replace them if they wear too much/fast...

 

[Bobby_M]

Good point... These need to hold up during cleaning and use for years. Else, it could hurt your reputation as a quality vendor. I would suggest doing a test on the smaller pieces to see if they can withstand a long PBW soak and agitation/scrubbing.

I was with you for the first few sentences but do you really scrub and PBW soak the outside of your carboys?

This type of vinyl is rated for outdoor longevity in the sun and rain for at least 3 years. When I go to production, I plan to actually use a higher end product with a more aggressive adhesive.