Router templates

[Mike Lowden]

Any ideas on homemade router templates for lettering/ Or am I wasting my time. Bare in mind that I'm CHEAP! I wanted to do an address sign for my buddy's new cottage, by printing out his name on the computer, in a good looking font, transfering it and cutting it out of plywood etc. But my results have been somewhat disappointing. Any ides?

[Rob in Winnipeg]

If I were tackling this job, I'd cut out all the letters and shapes with a scroll saw, then secure them onto a wood surface. You'd get better results using this method than you ever could with a router.

[Roman]

Being somewhat fearless and having a lot of exposure to a router I Personally would freehand it with a small laminate trimmer and use a 45 degree V bit.

You could use carbon paper to trace the outline out and then go over that with an HB pencil. I would prefer something soft like pine or poplar as there would be less hair and less chipping.

Not an approach for the fair hearted. Chip carving by hand works well also.

Good Luck

[Lee Brubaker in Edmonton]

I have never done it....but I'm with Roman on this one. I have free handed with a router to set-in hinges with good results & would think with a little practice you should be able to turn out a satisfactory sign.

Lee

[Mike Lowden]

Freehand is kindy scarry for me! I did rabbit for the glass in my mirror free hand and it isn't pretty - good thing you can't see the back side! If you think that's the way to go, I'll try it - maybe with a bit of practice -- Thanx

[J.P.Rap]

Try scoaring the outline first with a shapr knife.
It worked well for me the few times I've done it.
J.P.

[Bryan Cowing, Innerkip On]

I would use cedar.How about leaving the letters raised, removing the waste from around them.

[Bryan Cowing, Innerkip On]

Do a search on google.com for wooden signs for ideas / this is one sign I picked from a gallery.

http://www.treasuringmemories.on.ca/images/res_whites.jpg

[Roman]

It Looks like you used a sand blaster for that effect. Ive done this and its a lot of fun with both wood and glass.

Nice sign very nice

Merry Christmas

[Bryan Cowing, Innerkip On]

only a pic from someone's site on the wooden signs they sell.It wood be neat to try & make one though! My problem is I have no art ability for the pattern.

[Joe Poirier]

Mike You can free hand the outline of the letters with good success with a 1/8 down cut spiral bit to prevent splintering once the outline is done you can use a larger bit to remove the rest of the stock.Small bit small mistakes.Good luck Joe

[Roman]

and you dont have to be Artistically inclined.

Its as simple as finding a drawing wether generated on a PC or cut from a magazine. You cover the cedar with clear mac-tac and trace around the picture or lettering. Use an exacto knife to cut out the part you want sandblasted and blast away. By cutting progressive pieces of the mac-tac away a three dimensional effect can be done. The same can be done on glass.

Cheers

[Andy in Georgetown]

.......we can all be artistic.

Merry Christmas..........Andy.

http://www.leevalley.com/gifts/page.asp?SID=&ccurrency=1&page=44193&category=4%2C 104%2C45481&prevSearchPage=wood%2FpageSearchResult s%2Easp&pageGroup=1 (http://www.leevalley.com/gifts/page.asp?SID=&ccurrency=1&page=44193&category=4%2C104%2C45481&prevSearchPage=wood%2FpageSearchResults%2Easp&pageGroup=1)
http://www.leevalley.com/images/item/gift/27k0775s1.jpg

[Mike Lowden]

As usual, lots of great responses and ideas. Thanx guys - I'm gonna try some of them out right after Christmas dinner. Well maybe not right after! That turke does slow you down, eh?

[Ron in the Boundary Count]

A friend just gave me a great tip for making templates, particularly for inlays. Once you know the offset you need for your guide bushing and bit, find a washer that has that exqact distance from the outside to the hole. With a pencil in the hole just run the washer around the shape you want and like magic you have the outline for a female template. I use a scroll saw to cut my templates out of 1/4" hardboard.