What tool is best to make wood signs?
I want to make some signs for my wife. I have a router but am not very good at freehand with it. I was wondering if a dremel or other tool would be best. It won’t be fancy sign, just letters and numbers.The wood will be cedar, pine or redwood haven’t decided yet.
4 Responses
ckm
17 Jan 2011
Self-Righteous.
17 Jan 2011
a dremel will work if you have a steady hand I was thinking more like a router.
William B
17 Jan 2011
A plunge router 1/2 hp
you can get a sign making kit from eagle brand tools.com for around $50,
it has 2 inch letters, & numbers with a bracket to hold them
I have one and love it,
PD
17 Jan 2011
With eaither a router or a dremel tool, you need a steady hand. I would suggest using a router, and drawing the shape in pencil on the wood first. It will help you create the shape, and you will see how it looks before you actually start cutting. Also, take your time. There is no rush. Espescially with a hand that is not too steady. Do a line, then take a break and rest your hand. It sounds funny, but it will help you out a lot, and you will be happy in the end.
Good Luck
Freehanding a router to make a sign is pretty difficult. Results will mostly be unacceptable. If you want that type of sign, a router is the right tool (on a hobbyist budget), it just needs some help from a jig.
You can make your own jigs but it’s very time consuming. A pro to making our own is you get the lettering type and patterns exactly as you want. Draw or print from your computer the letters/patterns you want, transfer to a piece of 1/4" scrap MDF (or the like) and cut the shape out with a jig or scroll saw. Place the letter jig over the sign in the desired location and then using a Template Guide Bushing in your router trace out the jig pattern.
http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?FamilyID=1392&wcs=20141&pcs=fam
If you don’t want to make lettering jigs, several companies make affordable lettering jigs you can buy. They are quick and easy but have the downside that you’re stuck with some generic font that may not be the size or type you’d prefer. Google for them.
http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=20141
http://www.rockler.com/articles/display_article.cfm?story_id=58
Good luck.