Sample Letters for Carving

[joe]

Greetings Everyone,

I have attached a collection of letters that I thought someone might be interested in carving. This is my way of building a collection of sample letters to show prospective clients. Each time this is done I see interesting shapes and get more idea's to be used.

Here's the process;

The letters should be enlarged, as a group, to about 30" or 48". Chuck up a 3/8" or 1/2" brad point round over bit. From there, profile the letters with a constant depth of, lets say -.25 or more. It all depends on how large you have made the letters. This is a fast process and you may choose to repeat the cut a little deeper. Once you've got something you'd like a profile cut with tabs will finish you up.

I'd expect to use a full 4X8 because I get so excited with the look. Another option is to select a few to be done as V Carve samples.

Keeping in mind there are lots of very delicate parts to some of these letters. Once you've finished the first pass you may want to separate out some and either enlarge or place an outline to thicken them up. My favorite material for this is 1.2" Trupan but furniture grade MDF or HDU works fine also.


If you're interested with this exercise, email me and I'll send a dxf. Feel free to post any questions.

jcrumley1@cox.net

[joe]

Thanks fellows for the interest. Your files have been sent. Feel free to ask any questions.

The attached photo show's the effect when using a simple brad point round over. I use this method on most of my letters. Most router people this was done in 3D. I almost never do 3D on anything except for textures.

When getting started with this method it will become evident those thin line will be almost carved away. There are several methods which will help. One of these is to reduce the carving depth. Another is to broaden the letter with an outline. I often node edit little serifs, bumping them up in size. This makes them look rather ugly until carved but turn out like little beauties.

Please not the reduced depth of thinner strokes in the photo.

[Joseph clements]

We're do you get your fonts?

[joe]

JC,

The letter were from fonts I've collected over the years. If there's one you're interested in I can post the font name.
Most of my fonts come from standard manufacturers. I'll purchase when I see something that interests me.
JC

[joe]

One of the reason I'd offered these letter styles is to spur on samples to be shown to clients.

However one started experimenting with any of these a persons skill level increases. Each time I start working with a letter my skill level goes up not to mention how they build confidence.

[bob_s]

Joe
What font is the R on a blue background or is that font one of your creations?
thanks
Bob

[joe]

Bob,

That's "Esoteric 3" which is an LHF letter style

[David Iannone]

Thanks for the dxf files Joe. These are pics of my playing yesterday with 1/2" PVC. It was fun, and has got me fired up about trying to be more creative and try new things. I have had my Bot since 2001, but haven't just sat and said OK, today I am going to practice in at least 5 years. I spent 3 hours yesterday on this, and actually although it was fun, I don't by any means think these are that great.....But, I will sand them, paint them, and as you said mount them to a nice piece of wood and these will be the start of my Learning and Sample collection. Maybe after some color goes on they might look a little better?

Is there a good waterbase paint I can use on the PVC. It is Excel. Primer needed?

Thanks,
Dave

[joe]

David,

Excellent:

You have a good start and interesting letters to put on a board. Sanding PVC isn't difficult. I use a Flap Sander and you don't need to worry about sanding of the serifs. A person can really lean down on the flap sander without much worry about going too far.

At this point you might consider texturing or trying your hand at bronze sculpt nouvea. For texturing I often us plain primer, a cheap disposable 1" hog hair brush to jab the primer on the surface. Go crazy and slop it on in a rough texture. The thicker the primer the better. It can be sanded a little if it's too rough for your liking. Now's the time to play around.

Hope others follow your lead.

Joe
www.normansignco.com (http://www.normansignco.com)

[David Iannone]

Joe,
I haven't got back to the letters yet. They are at my home shop though and will be finishing them soon.

These pics are a material and cut sample for a customer. I take black 1/2" PVC, laminate it to .040 Black AL. Then cover AL with paint mask, cut letters then spray sides with matte black krylon rattle can. Nothing fancy here, but durable.

[David Iannone]

a little progress

[David Iannone]

Just sprayed this 1/2" PVC letter with Black Rustoleum LeakSeal per Joe's recommendation. It is an EASY texture and fun. No sanding at all right off the table. I think the rugged look will work for some projects.

I can see possibly taking a piece of 1/2" Black PVC and covering the face with paint mask. Do a flat bottom carve, then take some white leakseal and spray the background and try to get it to look like a pebble texture backround similar to a flat sandblast in HDU.

I will be redoing my CNC sample area starting now.


Dave