Dinky Letters @2

[joe]

Greetings Router Heads,

Every once in a while you might find the need for extra small letters. I posted this technique a while back. These letters are fpr a panel i'm making so I took a couple of snaps for anyone who might be interested.

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e115/jcrumley1/701.jpg

Here's the process: Using a 1/16 bit and Duna HDU I routed down .40. This was done in four steps. I'll see if I have time to do the same thing with some Cedar. It can be finished with stain and gloss top coat. Could be spectacular if cut very thin and finished correctly.

Next steps are at the band saw. The saw blade doesn't seem to be critical. Here I'm using an old 1/4” skip tooth. It's old and dull but works very well. You have to put down a false top to keep your letters from falling through the standard bandsaw throat. Now you will need to improvise a fence and set it for the thickness you want the letters. I usually get two sets of letters out.

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e115/jcrumley1/702.jpg

Little letters like these look very handsome when placed in pockets. Leaving a little slop so they look placed in the pocket. They look more custom that way. These little guys are about 1/4” thick with extremely, tiny, sharp serifs. This is so easy to do.

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e115/jcrumley1/703SmallLetters.jpg

Here's the panel they will go on.

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e115/jcrumley1/Anniv2.jpg

Joe Crumley
www.normansignco.com

[gc3]

Nice...Thank you!!!

something I never thought of.....

[billp]

Joe,
As usual , clever and well presented...I hope you get back from your vacation in time to make it to the Texas Camp.....

[steve_g]

Joe

Thanks for sharing your years of knowledge and experience!
The method seems obvious after it's been explained! I'll be able to use this in the future. Do you double stick tape the letters to the false top to hold them still while cutting, or is that not an issue?

Steve

[joe]

Steve,

The letters are still part of the HDU until they are cut. Then they fall out ready to use.

Joe Crumley
www.normansignco.com

[steve_g]

Oh... I reread what you said. The "false top" you were referring to is what you are using for a zero clearance throat. I thought you were putting a cap on the foam to keep the lettering captured until the cutting was done. All clear now... thanks.

Steve

[joe]

Thanks for the special invite Bill. Looks like I may need to re-arrange my holiday plans which will ensure my trip to TEXAS. What should I bring or demonstrate?

Joe Crumley
www.normansignco.com

[billp]

Joe,
Central America will still be there after the Camp !
Your "trick bag" is SO packed that I wouldn't know where to start! How about some more of your techniques to use a machine to create 'special' features for those wanting to make their signs "pop"?
Of course we'll be happy with anything that you decide to share.....
I'm hoping that means we'll be seeing Gary B. and Doug Strickland too?

[billp]

The above posting had a few people PM me asking for info about the Texas Camp. You can find info, and sign up here-
http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14255