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Sign Making Template

4314 Views 20 Replies 10 Participants Last post by  reuelt, 
woodworksnmore
Hey folks; I'm wondering if there is a sign making template for a dremel tool? I have a sign to make and I need much smaller templates then the ones for a regular router. I can't do freehand.
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JOAT
woodworksnmore said:
Hey folks; I'm wondering if there is a sign making template for a dremel tool? I have a sign to make and I need much smaller templates then the ones for a regular router. I can't do freehand.
Click to expand...
Dunno, never thought about it, things like that I make myself. However, these might work for you. Or not.
https://www.uline.com/BL_2659/Brass...dLhzyZawha_idfuTo1saAufyEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
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DaninVan
Jay, is this a craft type sign or something that's more utilitarian?
I just had a sign shop whip up a couple of CNC cut vinyl text msgs. Fairly small lettering but in a fancy font; super easy to apply and looks great!

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woodworksnmore
Hey Joat, you just may be onto something. Thank you. I'll do a little more research and see what is up with them.
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woodworksnmore
DaninVan said:
Jay, is this a craft type sign or something that's more utilitarian?
I just had a sign shop whip up a couple of CNC cut vinyl text msgs. Fairly small lettering but in a fancy font; super easy to apply and looks great!
Click to expand...
I'm making a sign in the shape of a state and need to put names on it. Letters need to be app 1 to 1/2". I need a stencil that I can use a guide with dremel tool. Not sure if Joat's idea will work, but I'll research it a bit more and see.
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TenGees
Jay, I've never used one but there's this...
https://www.milescraft.com/product/signpro/

It's meant for a router though.
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harrysin
For one offs have you thought about freehand routing?
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Gaffboat
You can cave some fairly small letters with a router. This little sign was freehanded with a Dewalt 611 palm router. I suggest you practice on some scrap wood. You may be surprised at well you can freehand the signs you need.

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harrysin
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For one offs, have you given any thought to freehand routing a sign, it's very relaxing and gives great satisfaction.

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G
woodworksnmore said:
I'm making a sign in the shape of a state and need to put names on it. Letters need to be app 1 to 1/2". I need a stencil that I can use a guide with dremel tool. Not sure if Joat's idea will work, but I'll research it a bit more and see.
Click to expand...
If you use a pantograph for guiding your Dremel, it can reduce by 50%...making it possible. BUT chip out on small lettering is a real possibility. Peachtree woodworking sells an inexpensive pantograph, that with a fine stylus could be used with stencils.


Can you use a wood burning technique to make the small lettering instead?
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woodworksnmore
gmercer_48083 said:
If you use a pantograph for guiding your Dremel, it can reduce by 50%...making it possible. BUT chip out on small lettering is a real possibility. Peachtree woodworking sells an inexpensive pantograph, that with a fine stylus could be used with stencils.


Can you use a wood burning technique to make the small lettering instead?
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I like this idea. Now where do I get the attachment for the dremel? This might be the best way to go. And thanks for all the help guys.
I like the wood burning if I can't find the other. As for the freehand, I am still no good at it even with all the 'practice' I have had. I only have so much scrap wood. lol
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G
woodworksnmore said:
I like this idea. Now where do I get the attachment for the dremel? This might be the best way to go. And thanks for all the help guys.
I like the wood burning if I can't find the other. As for the freehand, I am still no good at it even with all the 'practice' I have had. I only have so much scrap wood. lol
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There is a plunge router base available for Dremel tools. It is made by bosch.
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harrysin
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This is the Dremel router, not very precision but handy for certain jobs.

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H
woodworksnmore said:
I like this idea. Now where do I get the attachment for the dremel? This might be the best way to go. And thanks for all the help guys.
I like the wood burning if I can't find the other. As for the freehand, I am still no good at it even with all the 'practice' I have had. I only have so much scrap wood. lol
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Here are some bases for the Dremel.
https://toolguyd.com/rotary-tool-router-base-attachments/

I have the Dremel, it works ,but not the best, a lot of plastic on it. also have the Stewart Macdonald,thought it was a plunge but isn't, real quality fixed base tho.

I also have a Mathius Wandel pantograph I am thinking about trying to free hand lettering.

I like Harrys (harrysin) router ski idea and might try to build one for the Dremel.Herb
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woodworksnmore
Maybe I'm not looking for the right thing. I'm trying to find the pantograph and the attachment for the dremel. You have shown me the plunge base, now I need the part that attaches the pantograph to the base.
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H
This is the one I have. https://woodgears.ca/pantograph/dremel.html




https://woodgears.ca/pantograph/dremel.html
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/695946948638093809/


Dremel Carver/Duplicator Like a Human Powered CNC Router

https://www.amazon.com/Milescraft-1298-3D-Pantograph-Stencil-Tracing/dp/B001JEOMPU
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G
woodworksnmore said:
Maybe I'm not looking for the right thing. I'm trying to find the pantograph and the attachment for the dremel. You have shown me the plunge base, now I need the part that attaches the pantograph to the base.
Click to expand...
Peachtree woodworking sells an inexpensive pantograph, that with a fine stylus could be used with stencils.

The plunge base is what would attach to the pantograph, allowing you to use your Dremel, instead of a normal router.
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TenGees
If you build one like the ones on woodgears.ca you could modify it for nearly any router or dremel. You just need to end up with the bit in line with the hinge pins. When I made one for my Bosch Colt, I cut a hole slightly tight and then filed and sanded until it fit nicely. I used bits of the wire from lawn signs for the pins. It works quite well but the grain in wood can make your cuts want to 'pull' a little. Still far easier than free hand, especially because the pattern is 2 or more times larger than the cut, so small errors in tracing the pattern are even smaller on the cut.
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TenGees said:
If you build one like the ones on woodgears.ca you could modify it for nearly any router or dremel. You just need to end up with the bit in line with the hinge pins. When I made one for my Bosch Colt, I cut a hole slightly tight and then filed and sanded until it fit nicely. I used bits of the wire from lawn signs for the pins. It works quite well but the grain in wood can make your cuts want to 'pull' a little. Still far easier than free hand, especially because the pattern is 2 or more times larger than the cut, so small errors in tracing the pattern are even smaller on the cut.
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I Agree, it is very forgiving for small errors in following the patterns freehand, (like a picture), and being off the line a smidgen. For the more detailed work I went to a 15 degree bit, recommended @Gaffboat (Oliver), and it works very well.

Herb
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roofner
TenGees said:
Jay, I've never used one but there's this...
https://www.milescraft.com/product/signpro/

It's meant for a router though.
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This looks like an improved version? So I have wanted something like this and ordered Amazon prime had a $10 discount. I was also wondering is this maybe a good excuse to buy a bosh colt lighter weight router?
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