Old GULF sign for my shop ( pictures )
 

I like old Gas signs and I found an old sign pole for $100.00. The guy said it had been a GULF station where he took it down years ago. I looked for signs but they are getting sooooo expensive that I decided I would just make my own. I just want to put it up in front of my shop so it didn't have to be that perfect....
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-v...o/IMG_1553.JPG

I went to the local Iron scrap yard to buy some flat metal and I saw some old wood wagon wheels with iron rims in the junk pile. The wood was mostly gone and rotted but the hoop was what I wanted. I got it for $10.00 and several pieces of flat 12 gauge scrap cut off sheets for $70.00.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-u...o/IMG_1424.JPG

I welded two of the larger pieces of flat metal together and traced around the inside of the wheel hoop and cut out a disc to fit in the hoop.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-6...o/IMG_1425.JPG
I welded the disc inside the middle of the wheel hoop which was 50" inside. https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-W...o/IMG_1427.JPG
I looked at several pictures of FLAG mounted signs and decided that I liked them so I drew out the shape on a large piece of scrap metal and cut the two sides out.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-i...o/IMG_1426.JPG
The rim ( wheel hoop ) was 2" so I bought a couple of 2" flat straps at Home Depot and welded the cradle together.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Y...o/IMG_1440.JPG
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Y...o/IMG_1440.JPG
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-t...o/IMG_1556.JPG
The old FLAT signs had a light on both sides from the top. I used 1/2 black pipe to run the wires in to the lights.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-O...o/IMG_1490.JPG
The light housings were tapered cones so I cut a pattern out of thin cardboard and transferred it on thin tin to make the light fixtures.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-X...o/IMG_1505.JPG
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6...o/IMG_1506.JPGhttps://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-l...o/IMG_1552.JPG
My son helping me move the pole in the shop and cleaning layers of old paint off.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-2...o/IMG_1579.JPG
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-p...o/IMG_1590.JPG
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-I...o/IMG_1576.JPG
I had a sign shop print out the old style GULF decals and recruited my wife to help me apply them.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-P...o/IMG_1600.JPG
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-W...o/IMG_1599.JPG
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-G...o/IMG_1601.JPG
I still have a little work on the pole yet and then dig a large hole and pour some cement for the base. Under $500.00 for the sign and pole. I'll post a couple of pictures when I have it installed.

Very cool. You do great work.:cheers:

Jim

Very creative, nice work! :thumbs:

That is incredibly creative, I love it. Well done sir. :D

I am looking forward to seeing the installed pictures.

that's pretty neat.My shop used to be a gulf station and I have a bunch of the 60s-70s ones that light up in my house. cool stuff.

Wow, looks amazing!

Are you really Rick Dale in disguise? :thumbs:

I think he is also. :iagree: Dennis

Great job, indeed! I'm confused about the light fixtures, where do they go?

Can't wait to see it when the pole is in place.

There is a light on the end of each pipe that is shining down on the sign. I don't have a picture of them mounted yet.

Thanks, but I just work cheap! Ha.

They sound nice, you should post some pictures here on this thread.

I love old signs!
 

What you did looks great, but I would have painted it on for that true vintage feel! But then I would probably also turn the ole Thompson loose on it!

Great sign and FANTASTIC shop!

Nice fabrication Señor.

Tom

That's funny, I did think it would look good with a couple of bullet hole.

Dude!!

Very creative and very cool!:cool:

awesome now you need a few Beer Signs!