sign making template questions

[TheRic]

Thinking about getting a sign template kit (not sure what the proper name is) to make engraved signs. I have had a couple people ask me if I could make one for them. Is it difficult or easy to work with these kits?

I saw one at Rockler, and MLCS both about $50 ish. Then I probably would need to get some special bits to make said signs, I'll guess another $50 ish. What is a good kit to get? Don't know how much I will use it so I don't want to spend hundreds of dollars. Not sure if it's even worth it for the few signs that I know I want to make. Maybe I'll use it more than I think I will.

[LCHIEN]

The Milescraft router signmaking kit is the first thing that comes to mind (~$30 at Amazon). Its fairly easy to use but the letters are blocky and plain, not much style or font diversity. Limited to 1-1/2" and 2-1/2 inch high letters.
Bits, you can use straight or round end core box bits or special lettering V-groove bits with a rounded tip, looks nice.

You want the fancier letters or raised letters, you have to do it the hard way.

[eezlock]

sign making kit

Make sure that you have the proper guide bushing for your router that works with the letter kit....very important! You will need it. eezlock

[LCHIEN]

Make sure that you have the proper guide bushing for your router that works with the letter kit....very important! You will need it. eezlock

The Milescraft comes with a universal baseplate and a guide bushing. And, includes a core box bit, too. All ready to go.

[John Hunter]

I have the Milescraft kit and have made a lot of signs with it. As noted it is plain block and nothing fancy but is easy to use.

[linear]

I have the Milescraft kit and have made a lot of signs with it. As noted it is plain block and nothing fancy but is easy to use.

Me too. It comes with large and small letters, but the bit that's included won't clear the bushing that is used with the small letters. Otherwise it's an okay kit.

[docrowan]

Has anyone tried the Sears Craftsman kit? I saw it the other day in the Sears catalog, but I can't remember the price. If I remember correctly, it was around $40.00, but was in stock in some of the local Sears stores. That would mean no shipping and an easier return if something was wrong with it.

By the way, beautiful sign Rob!!

[atgcpaul]

This upcoming New Yankee Workshop on my PBS is a rerun where Norm makes
signs. He goes to a sign shop where they use CNC routers, but when he gets
back to the shop, he does it freehand using his router and a V-shaped bit and
then a chisel to touch it up. I thought his signs came out very well and
definitely weren't blocky like the Milescraft kit, although, more work probably.

Paul

http://www.newyankee.com/video.cgi?0512

You need to use Internet Explorer with ActiveX controls to watch the video.

[linear]

Has anyone tried the Sears Craftsman kit?

I am pretty certain that kit is the Milescraft kit rebadged as Craftsman.
It's been several months since I looked at one, but that is my recollection.

Since I'm sure it will come up "how do you get the letters black?"

I spray painted the entire sign, then belt sanded the surface back to bare wood (which I put a clear finish on).

That sign shown is a piece of hardwood flooring scrap.

[jhart]

I have the Milescraft setup, and have been less than excited about the results. Very plain looking letters. Was easy to set up and took a few practice runs to get the hang of following the pattern letters/numbers. Results were "ok".

Linear, great idea for getting the grooves black. I tried to hand paint the letters in black using a very small water color type brush. Your's look much better and I'm sure much easier. Will tuck that idea away for future use.

[TheRic]

Thanks everyone for your advice, suggestions. IT turns out the one I saw in the mag was not MLCS but in a pricecutter mag. Since the Millscraft sign comes with basic letters, can fancier letters be purchased later?

Rob nice idea on painting the sign and sanding back down. I had to repair a sign this spring, I took a magic marker to the letters, then poly over the whole thing.

[LCHIEN]

Another way to paint signs is to route the letters, spray paint the sign white (or gold or silver), getting the paint inside the letters. Optionally you can sand off the paint on the face with a belt sander. then carefully roller-paint black over the top. Gives the best contrast.

At least, I've always thought you could do that (E.g. better try it first!).

To answer Ric's last Q, I don't think there are other letter sets available. The sort of limiting factor is that the letters are made to be able to make them quickly, using one pass through the template using the bushing guide. More complex fonts would require different and or variable thicknesses in the verticals and horizontals, plus the fine serifs. You could not do the routing with a single bit wide enough to make the letters in one pass.You'd have to do multiple passes. Then letters with opens in middle (e.g. capital D and O) would have to have inside guides rather than just following the outside, the inside guide needs support, etc. Of course, I also did not see any advertised by Milescraft, either.

[Greg.B]

I have the Milescraft one and its okay. The issues that I have is if your making a sign that is smaller then the kit is setup for. When this happens there is nothing to clamp the kit to.

To paint inside is pretty easy. Before you route the sign, finish the sign entirely. Then once dry apply painters tape and route. Now you can just paint the inside of the letters. Then remove and your done.

I made a sign using this method for my son, and get lots of compliments on it.

[LCHIEN]

the other fun thing is to get the sign to come out centered. You can estimate the length of the lettering required, and allow a long enough piece. But then, getting it centered perfectly is tough.
So make the board oversize, then trim off enough to make the ends equal and center the text.

[John Hunter]

Linear, great idea for getting the grooves black. I tried to hand paint the letters in black using a very small water color type brush. Your's look much better and I'm sure much easier. Will tuck that idea away for future use.

I found an easy way to blacken the letters. I use a sharpie marker, then poly the whole sign. Here is one made from a scrap piece of pine.