We're using a router for a general store sign

[PineRidge]

Here's where we're at so far.

We placed the sign blank upside down on a piece of hardboard and traced around the edge of the blank with a magic marker. Then it was off to the pole barn to cut out the hardboard so that it was just inside the line making it slightly under-size.

 

[PineRidge]

At this point the sign blank was flipped right side up and the hardboard template positioned over the blank. I fastened the template down to the blank to prevent movement.

Then I used a couple of scraps of 2 X 4 lumber and the magic marker, being careful to keep the contraption up against the sign blank to lay out the border that I needed on the sign blank.

Back to the pole barn to re-cut the template and smooth the edges a bit since the router will be running on the edge of the hardboard.

The template is now fastened to the sign blank using the same 2 holes and the blank is ready to be routed for the 1st pass.

 

[scott_vt]

Afternoon Mike,
What I have done many times is after the template is made. I use a few finish nails just through the template and slightly entering the wood that your routing. Especially is I dont want to spoil the finish on either side. If only one side is seen then I just put a couple of wood screws through the template. I have also used double back sticky tape to hold the template in place especially if Im not routing much material off the wood that Im working on !


Eddie,
Very nice job carving those animals ! You shouldnt let that talent die

 

[PineRidge]

Heres what the sign blank looks like after the first 1/2" deep border cut was made. I got a nice clean cut and the tungsten-carbide bits ate through the knots with ease. Kids remember we're professionals, don't try this at home.

 

[scott_vt]

Mornin Mike,
Very nice so far, keep us updated !

I was disappointed to see you bought those Porter & Cable guide bushings, thats what the lathe is for

 

[PineRidge]

Scotty the South Bend isn't finished yet. It's another winter project of mine.

 

[scott_vt]

Mornin Mike,
I know that Just havin some fun with yea

 

[PineRidge]

Colors have been a real hot topic here around the ranch for the past week. We have painted many different color schemes before we settled on the following basic colors. This is supposed to blend with the old west scheme of the store, so therefore we have chosen to go with all flat shades of colors.

This is a sneak peak of the sign as it will appear finished, keep in mind painted on plain white paper here. Please don't take off for not being able to stay within the lines as I was using the smallest paint brush that I could find at the time.

You may not be able to see the difference in shades but the color behind the larger lettering is a few shades lighter than the rest of the sign background to make it stand out more.

What do you guys think of the color choices that we have made. You're allowed to be truthfully brutal.

 

[EddieWalker]

Hey Mike,

I had no idea you were going to paint you sign. Why did you go to the trouble of using such a nice piece of wood? It would be allot easier to router out a piece of MDF. In fact, you could cut the letters and shapes out of MDF on a jigsaw and glue them to another piece of MDF and be done with it in a few days with fantastic results. Smoother finish, no knots to fight and if you made a mistake, you just do it again.

Are you set on painting over the grain of your piece of wood? Could you just paint the letters and stain the background? Or just the oposite, paint the background and stain the letters?

Sorry, but I guess the woodworker in me just doesn't like to paint over nice wood.

Eddie

 

[mikim]

I gotta side with Eddie on this one -- I'd paint the recessed routed areas to make them stand out and leave the rest stained / varnished ... it's a nice piece of wood ...cover it? don't get that.