AxlMyk

CC
Many here have done signs freehand, myself included. It's not hard to do. You need a big base on the router to keep it stable. Something like a 12"x12" acrylic base will do.
Here's one I did freehand.

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Mike - Retired FoMoCo Tradesman
My Gallery @ http://www.routerforums.com/axlmyks-stuff/

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ColoChris

Thank you so much for the picture and tips.

I really want to find some patterns or a book I think now from talking to all of you. Something taht I can place on a board and make some patterns out of.

Like say a fish, put the pattern on some plywood and cut it out, then use it for my redwood or whatever and then I will have a wood shaped sign.

Does this seem to be a right track?

challagan

Mike I don't think I ever saw your sign hung. Man that is extremely professional looking! Terrific job.

Chris, lots of places to get patterns from. Search on the internet etc. for stuff, scroll saw patterns would be a good place as well. One reason I recommended doing more with your router is I sensed you were a beginner with tools and I think a machine like the Carvewrite has a bit of a learning curve and I think our friend BJ will agree to that as well and you might want to get used to a router first etc. If I misread that then please forgive me.

See this book as well. It has been around a long time and I enjoy reading it every once in a while and it has some great stuff in it and advise.
http://books.google.com/books?id=xxx...=title#PPP1,M1

I am also attaching a sign I did sometime back. This was free hand routed... not picture perfect but I was happy with it. The bird was routed using a dremel in a dremel router base holder. then it was painted. The birds are goldfinches that I drew from a photo. The goldfinch is our state bird. I did several signs for the family like this... that was known as my bird period or Bird Brain

Corey

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My Carving Website: The Iowa Woodcarver
http://iowacarver.tripod.com/

My Shop Website - Woodshop 51503
http://woodshop51503.tripod.com/

AxlMyk

Clip art is a good way to find designs. Google "fish clip art" and you'll get a bunch of ideas.

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Mike - Retired FoMoCo Tradesman
My Gallery @ http://www.routerforums.com/axlmyks-stuff/

harrysin

Corey, once again you're modesty is showing, "not picture perfect" indeed, that sign is totally professional. You may recall that a while ago I mentioned that my granddaughter asked me to make a sign for her, which I haven't even attempted yet, perhaps you could give me an estimate of what you charge for commissions.

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Harry

Drugstore Cowboy

Corey -
LOVE the birds ---

Chris -- for my money you are on exactly the right track -
Make your pattern out of 1/4" plywood -- or MDF --
Something solid but CHEAP --- so you wont mind tossing a couple of pieces away if you need to until you get exactly the shape you want.
Then use your tool/technique of choice to cut your workpiece.

challagan

Nah... it's just an average sign Harry but thanks. Haven't done any of that type work in a long while. Still got some 3/4 cedar though from when I made that round of signs but when i get my planer i think I will turn it into box material I used to love doing that dremel router carving stuff. One year for Christmas I made my inlaws a big firewood box to sit in the fire place area and they could put about ten pieces of split fire wood in it. The front that showed to the room I used the dremel router thing and carved a drawing of there farmstead in it, wish I had a photo of that, that was fun and surprised the heck out of them. I used to do a lot of drawing and oil landscape painting when i was younger.... I could spend hours painting song birds and landscapes ... not anymore...

Corey

Corey

__________________
My Carving Website: The Iowa Woodcarver
http://iowacarver.tripod.com/

My Shop Website - Woodshop 51503
http://woodshop51503.tripod.com/