Graco line pointers

For training newbies, I just bought a new 3400. I would like to have a pointer for a 3400 or 3000. My 3900's all have drivers and I think it would be easier if they didn't have to concentrate on the driver speed, stops and aiming etc. Any help locating one would be appreciated. Thanks !!!

They should train on the shoe before they train on wheels.

He's been with me a year and two pairs of shoes. Time for the wheels now.

I made a pointer for my 3400, but I replaced it with a laser pointer which works much better. It is training wheels, some days I use the pointer, but most days it stays in the truck.

I would say start them off on the rider. I've done it both ways and it doesn't seem to be much difference in fact they learn faster (duration of time) on the rider. Depending on the learner as always. In the end we all do things that works best for each of us....

Go down to the pet shop and get one of those shock training collars, will only take a few zaps.

Rock wrote on Sep 26, 2015:Go to #3

He's been with me a year and two pairs of shoes. Time for the wheels now.

Only two pairs? He's not working hard enough! Should burn through three soles a year.

He's barefooted now.

I use the pointer for long stretches or when doing multiple rows across a lot that all run on the same plane... I don't think it's cheating at all.. it just allows me to sit in a more comfortable position and see more clearly. I got it at Sherwin Williams I have a new guy starting in a week and I plan to train him on the driver right from the start.. Why add another step to the learning process? I know that's what I want him to be doing, so that's what i'll train him to do.. Once you learn the machine basics anyone can run around and spray stencils with the 3400.. if you start him with that the driver will be foreign to him when he gets on it anyway, and then you have a whole other learning process to go through..

When we get someone new, we use soft copper tubing, and visegrips. Works well and can set for starts/stops too.

Good idea Shepoutside!!!

Guys I have started on a rider, now, won't get off. I have to trained them to get off to handle some of the smaller stuff you need to in tight places. One thought if you couldn't get to it with the rider you couldn't do it. Geezzz. Of course, we go on a few jobs and don't have any trouble their ready to go start their own business (must be easy money). Which its pretty easy if everything goes well. Anyone else fight these battles??

sprayhead wrote on Oct 7, 2015:Go to #12

Guys I have started on a rider, now, won't get off. I have to trained them to get off to handle some of the smaller stuff you need to in tight places. One thought if you couldn't get to it with the rider you couldn't do it. Geezzz. Of course, we go on a few jobs and don't have any trouble their ready to go start their own business (must be easy money). Which its pretty easy if everything goes well. Anyone else fight these battles??

Yeah! Lazy gets fired, no room for that. Homey wants to start his own business, give him an starting equipment list and cost estimate along with a marketing cost estimate and job cost estimate let him think on it, the smart ones will see that it's more work than what they are currently doing, the dumb ones will jump in without thinking and soon be taking your order at Taco Bell.

straightline wrote on Oct 7, 2015:Go to #13

Homey wants to start his own business, give him an starting equipment list and cost estimate along with a marketing cost estimate and job cost estimate let him think on it, the smart ones will see that it's more work than what they are currently doing, the dumb ones will jump in without thinking and soon be taking your order at Taco Bell.

That's not fair. I jumped right in. Same as you. My 14 yr old son worked with me quite a bit this past summer and he said something that really resonated with me. He said... dang, striping parking lots is hard work. That kid worked his rear end off. I'm talking 15-16 straight hours without bitching. I guess I never saw it as work per se. I truly do enjoy what I do. Truly. It doesn't feel like work... till I come home and hit the sack. Lol. Even though I jumped in... I still struggle to stay afloat. What I mean is... this work is harder for some than others but regardless of that... skill is there. Ability is there. Determination is there. The fact is... everyone's challenges are different and one shouldn't condemn a person to Taco friggin' Bell for it.

one can only condemn themselves to working at taco bell. its called personal responsibility.

TruColors wrote on Oct 7, 2015:Go to #14

straightline wrote on Oct 7, 2015:Go to #13

Homey wants to start his own business, give him an starting equipment list and cost estimate along with a marketing cost estimate and job cost estimate let him think on it, the smart ones will see that it's more work than what they are currently doing, the dumb ones will jump in without thinking and soon be taking your order at Taco Bell.

That's not fair. I jumped right in. Same as you. My 14 yr old son worked with me quite a bit this past summer and he said something that really resonated with me. He said... dang, striping parking lots is hard work. That kid worked his rear end off. I'm talking 15-16 straight hours without bitching. I guess I never saw it as work per se. I truly do enjoy what I do. Truly. It doesn't feel like work... till I come home and hit the sack. Lol. Even though I jumped in... I still struggle to stay afloat. What I mean is... this work is harder for some than others but regardless of that... skill is there. Ability is there. Determination is there. The fact is... everyone's challenges are different and one shouldn't condemn a person to Taco friggin' Bell for it.

It is fair, TC, we' are talking about employees that think a business is about getting rich quick and jumping in without thinking it through. A smart employee that really wants to start his own business will save and work into it, the dumb ones will jump in without thought and be broke in a month and be begging for there ur job back. You put thought into it before you jumped in.

straightline wrote on Oct 8, 2015:Go to #16

TruColors wrote on Oct 7, 2015:Go to #14

Quote from: straightline on October 07, 2015, 02:39:51 PM Homey wants to start his own business, give him an starting equipment list and cost estimate along with a marketing cost estimate and job cost estimate let him think on it, the smart ones will see that it's more work than what they are currently doing, the dumb ones will jump in without thinking and soon be taking your order at Taco Bell. That's not fair. I jumped right in. Same as you. My 14 yr old son worked with me quite a bit this past summer and he said something that really resonated with me. He said... dang, striping parking lots is hard work. That kid worked his rear end off. I'm talking 15-16 straight hours without bitching. I guess I never saw it as work per se. I truly do enjoy what I do. Truly. It doesn't feel like work... till I come home and hit the sack. Lol. Even though I jumped in... I still struggle to stay afloat. What I mean is... this work is harder for some than others but regardless of that... skill is there. Ability is there. Determination is there. The fact is... everyone's challenges are different and one shouldn't condemn a person to Taco friggin' Bell for it.

It is fair, TC, we' are talking about employees that think a business is about getting rich quick and jumping in without thinking it through. A smart employee that really wants to start his own business will save and work into it, the dumb ones will jump in without thought and be broke in a month and be begging for there ur job back. You put thought into it before you jumped in.

Hmmm... I see what you're saying. I guess I'm one of those who's about to go apply at Taco Bell and was a little sensitive about it. I apologize. I do agree with you as a lot of people contact me after seeing my videos on Facebook asking how to start in this business. They definitely have the attitude that you talked about. They think I'm rich but that is the furthest thing from the truth. Any money that comes in from this work is EARNED in every sense. Striping is not easy! I love it though.

Yep, a lot more to it than just spraying paint. You have to keep account of everything, make sales, chase supplies then at the end of the year the government wants half of your money. If you end up working at Taco Bell then learn all that is learnable and make your best effort to buy the place.

You won't learn much at Taco Bell. My observation is that Taco Bell employees are the worst of the worst. Fast food has done their best to idiot proof their system but the idiots still shine through. Give them $5.25 for a $4.19 charge and they still have to let the register figure out that you get $1.06 back. TC, striping is easy if you love doing it. Making tacos is the hardest job there is if you hate every minute that you're there. A man owns his own business and will work 16 hours a day to avoid working 8 hours for someone else.

Calif Striper wrote on Oct 14, 2015:Go to #19

You won't learn much at Taco Bell. My observation is that Taco Bell employees are the worst of the worst. Fast food has done their best to idiot proof their system but the idiots still shine through. Give them $5.25 for a $4.19 charge and they still have to let the register figure out that you get $1.06 back. TC, striping is easy if you love doing it. Making tacos is the hardest job there is if you hate every minute that you're there. A man owns his own business and will work 16 hours a day to avoid working 8 hours for someone else.

I'm not literally going to go apply at Taco Bell. I was just running with straightline's Taco Bell reference. Yeah... I put in MORE than the 16 hrs a day. The reality is... when customers don't pay... it sinks me. Particularly on the jobs I've done this year. Did some big ones and they've been dicking with me. Not easy but I've been fighting them. I'll keep fighting too but projections don't look good so a job will have to be sought.