moe

Hi, I am new here.. have made some (10-20) nice wooden home signs for friends as gifts, one for ourselves, and an actual paid project once
I KNOW there must be an easier way that free hand or tracing the letters you want, onto the wood. I dont really think a pantograph is what I am looking for.
Is there some way besides a computerized router, to easily place the letters you want onto the wood, so you can cut them out ( or around them?)
I go to a craft fair every year,, and a man sells wooden signs from a small truck. He must sell hundreds a day. They are not made instantly, you come back in less than an hour though and the sign is complete, stained,, whole 9 yards. HOW does he possibly set the lettering onto the wood to cut it so FAST!!?? does not look like he has anything special .
Is there some simple trick that I am missing??
I thank you all.......Moe

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Dr.Zook

Welcome to the Router Forums Moe.

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Dave
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clearcut

Rockler has the TurnLock Router SignCrafter system - that's one method.

Hamlin

Hi Moe, welcome to the router forums.

If I understand correctly, is this what you're looking for?
http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?p...er=signcrafter

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Ken

"A VETERAN"
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bobj3

Hi moe

You can pickup a desktop projector at a good price at a Good Will store that can projector the image on the wood you want to use for the sign....mark the wood then free hand with the router ..

Then when your done with the wood project you can use it for a wall projector see video below...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Y4Sm3b1NLo


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challagan

I wonder if he isn't simply printing off the font and words etc. and then gluing it to the board and routing it out over it. Turnlock Signcrafter will work but it's basically one style of letter.

Corey

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mailee

The only idea I can come up with is a small CNC machine. If he is only making signs then this would be an efficient way to go. Admitted there would be a considerable outlay for the machine but you would recoup that back in sales in no time.

Hamlin

Well, as we can all see, there are many solutions to the question.

I'm not trying to dissuade against using a projector but I think Corey has come up with the best solution. But, you CAN do the same thing with a projector.
Moe, I've seen guys & gals make signs right in front of you, doing them "free-style". They only do a "rough-in" hand lettering, (drawing), to give them the idea of what letters and what shape they want them to be. This is easy for them to do because, they've done it enough it's second nature (sorta say). Perhaps this isn't the best answer you wanted but, it's the best I give at the moment.

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Ken

"A VETERAN"
"Wether active duty, retired, national guard or reserve - is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America", for an amount of "up to and including my life". That is HONOR, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it." -Author Unknown

seawolf21

When I lettered the signs I have made, I type the font on my computer using MS Word or another program. I then trace it onto the wood using graphite paper(not carbon paper) which you can never erase fully.

Gary




http://www.routerforums.com/attachme...p-rotherys.jpg

rmaxa

Gary, do you use a router or carve the letters. I like you sign very much.

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