We're using a router for a general store sign

[DocHeb]

Have you seen sandblasted signs? The hard grain is raised and the softer grain is more recessed ...and a link to more
Yahoo! Image Search Results for sandblasted signs
Jim

I've been thinking of making a sign like that. The "unsandblasted" areas of wood (i.e. the letters) are protected by sheets of rubber that are temporarily glued to the wood with rubber cement. Everything that isn't a letter is sandblasted away, then the rubber sheets are removed and the cement sanded away.

 

[DocHeb]

I just hope my wife doesn't see them or she'll make me auction the new router at eBay.

Tell her the router is for detailing the edges of the sign, while the new sandblaster and compressor is for making the field.

 

[mwechtal]

I've been thinking of making a sign like that. The "unsandblasted" areas of wood (i.e. the letters) are protected by sheets of rubber that are temporarily glued to the wood with rubber cement. Everything that isn't a letter is sandblasted away, then the rubber sheets are removed and the cement sanded away.

I'm just guessing here, but I would think you would want to lower the whole background with a router to get the depth, and then sandblast it to get the texture.

Mike

 

[PineRidge]

Good advice guys, thanks....

 

[Huckridge]

I think you're on the right track with the router for carving the sign. I've done signage both ways and in your particular case, I believe it would go with the theme better. Plus,I think with the knots in the cedar, it would be difficult for the sand blasting to cut away that part and they would end up being raised. I know you're going to do a great job, continue to keep up posted.

 

[jeffinsgf]

I'm glad someone piped up to say that freehand routing is an issue. It is really, really, -- one more -- really tricky - and that is in straight grained wood. In knotty cedar, you're going to have grain switchbacks that will grab the router and shift it in ways you won't think are possible.

Sorry, don't want to discourage you, but you have put a bunch of work into this so far, and I would hate to see that beautiful blank mucked up.

BTW -- is this going to be out in the weather? Did you use waterproof glue? Gorilla Glue is exceptional for this kind of stuff.

 

[ronjhall]

I'm glad someone piped up to say that freehand routing is an issue. It is really, really, -- one more -- really tricky - and that is in straight grained wood. In knotty cedar, you're going to have grain switchbacks that will grab the router and shift it in ways you won't think are possible.

Sorry, don't want to discourage you, but you have put a bunch of work into this so far, and I would hate to see that beautiful blank mucked up.

BTW -- is this going to be out in the weather? Did you use waterproof glue? Gorilla Glue is exceptional for this kind of stuff.

Maybe Mike needs to get a good set of wood carving tools and a sharpener for this project.
Maybe best way with all the knots in the wood.

 

[PineRidge]

I'm glad someone piped up to say that freehand routing is an issue. It is really, really, -- one more -- really tricky - and that is in straight grained wood. In knotty cedar, you're going to have grain switchbacks that will grab the router and shift it in ways you won't think are possible.

Sorry, don't want to discourage you, but you have put a bunch of work into this so far, and I would hate to see that beautiful blank mucked up.

BTW -- is this going to be out in the weather? Did you use waterproof glue? Gorilla Glue is exceptional for this kind of stuff.

Jeff this sign will be indoors 100% of the time.

Think I'm going to practice on some of the scrap and see how it goes from there. It might be a good idea to hit a few knots just to see what happens.

 

[PineRidge]

Maybe Mike needs to get a good set of wood carving tools and a sharpener for this project.
Maybe best way with all the knots in the wood.

Now there's a man with a plan, I like that idea!

 

[dmartin88]

Jeff this sign will be indoors 100% of the time.

Think I'm going to practice on some of the scrap and see how it goes from there. It might be a good idea to hit a few knots just to see what happens.

Maybe you could cut the design in a hardboard template, attach it to the sign blank and use a pattern bit to cut out along the lines, then free hand the rest?