When I receive my layout letters, I get the sheet and lay them down on my table in the correct orientation. Then I pick each letter up, turn it over, and then use a Sharpie to put a dot on the back top side. That way, I know the top of the letters and the back of the letters.
To help my router run smoothly on the board, I put a pinch of mica (white graphite) on the board just before I begin carving. In addition to the steps you suggest, it really makes the router glide smoothly.
@@zitternden Haven't got a place to carve yet don't have a shed anymore And now that they are making me the assistant manager/training lead "who hooo" I work 50+ a week 🙃
another good video. love those mistake videos. even though i have been carving for awhile you can always improve and your videos help me with that . THANKS .
I make the layout letter mistake all the time mayb i should use Frank's idea great video guys helps everyone out from us season veterans and the newbies out
I've come to realize you guys must have very steady hands. You get such straight smooth lettering, it looks like a CNC did it. Mine are always jagged, rough looking. I think it's because i can't keep a steady, smooth motion.
There's a lot of factors that go into it, man. The board, the bits, and practice. Dad's definitely got a steadier hand than I do, but he's also got a few years on me😂😂
@@oldave100 I will say that some fonts are easier than others for sure. Also helps if you size the font for the bit you're using. I've gotten some ugly results from having to go over areas multiple times because the font was in between bit sizes so to speak.
Well, it has more to do with depth of the cut, because the deeper you go the wider the cut is. I think that's what you mean. If you wanna send me a picture of an example I could definitely give you some better insight. ryan@makeawoodsign.com
I resented did a sign and needed pink and purple paint. Could only find satin or gloss in the colors I needed. I carved the sign then sprayed two coats of clear finish, taped off and sprayed my colors. Absolutely no bleeding after sanding it off.
Last weekend I went to Lowes looking for a flat black primer. I couldn't find any, in any brand. I ended up getting the cheap store brand flat black paint instead. They didn't have much in the way of spray primer, period.
Howdy Guys.... So, after doing several signs in my, ohhh, maybe 4-5 months of doing them is....drum roll..... THE FINISH!!! Most of my signs I'm doing now is geared for being outdoors, not hanging on a wall inside the house. I use Spar Urethane, be it oil or water based depending on color. But, the problem I have is that It's next to impossible to "brush" this finish on a carved sign without having streaks. Seems like the only way to get it done is using a spray. The problem with that is that it costs WAYYY more to use a spray, be it in a can or pouring it into a sprayer....of which, if poured into a sprayer, then the SPRAYER just eats up the finish and at nearly $30 a quart, that stuff goes by quick. And THEN, you got to turn around and clean it. There's GOT to be a better way. What am I missing here?
We use the critter sprayer for bigger signs. It's WAY cheaper than the spray cans, and in my opinion, gives a much better finish. Check it out here: amzn.to/3OpyL1b
I struggle with large outset letters that will be raised a good bit above the background surface. What is the proper step down bits to get it raised but keep straight lines.
We always use the profile bit to do our outline. The biggest thing you want to do is make sure you carve deep enough. We usually go around the first pass about 3/16" then go back around at 1/4" to give that "buffer zone" for the 90 degree. Hope this helps, buddy! If you have any other questions you can always email me a ryan@makeawoodsign.com
When I receive my layout letters, I get the sheet and lay them down on my table in the correct orientation. Then I pick each letter up, turn it over, and then use a Sharpie to put a dot on the back top side. That way, I know the top of the letters and the back of the letters.
That's a great idea, Frank! We might put that in a video. Thanks buddy!
Wow… What a great and simple idea. Thanks for sharing! 👍🏼 Also, “Why didn’t I think of that?” 🤪
Great refresher, thanks, I sometimes need a remainder.
Don't we all!😅😅
As a beginner, this was very informative, keep up the videos like this, it really helps.
Glad it was helpful, David!
Great advice! I had my letters wrong many times and did not know it!
Same here, Bill! (Ryan)
Really good tips and yes, the letter spacing makes me nuts when it prints out with a lot of space between certain letters!
That's so irritating!!😂😂😂
These “don’t do it’s” are awesome!!!
I love how you’re always thinking about helping us out!!
Good stuff!!
Thanks Shirley! We're trying to come up with more creative and helpful content 👍👍
Enjoyed this, I can always use constructive information.
Thanks Monte! Glad it was helpful👍👍
To help my router run smoothly on the board, I put a pinch of mica (white graphite) on the board just before I begin carving. In addition to the steps you suggest, it really makes the router glide smoothly.
That's a good idea! The graphite doesn't mess with the grain or scratch the wood?
Great video. Very informative, especially for us newbies.
Thanks.
Our pleasure, buddy!
Thanks for the info. I wouldn't mind more information on using the rotary sander. I know you did a video on it, but maybe more greater detail. Thanks!
We can do that, Good idea, Rob. Thanks buddy!
Thank you for all that you do for sign carving
I can literally watch these all day long on my day off 😊
😂😂Thanks Charlie!
Quit watching the videos and get out there and carve some signs! 😊
@@zitternden Haven't got a place to carve yet don't have a shed anymore
And now that they are making me the assistant manager/training lead "who hooo"
I work 50+ a week 🙃
another good video. love those mistake videos. even though i have been carving for awhile you can always improve and your videos help me with that . THANKS .
Our pleasure, Emil! We all gotta try to learn constantly
I make the layout letter mistake all the time mayb i should use Frank's idea great video guys helps everyone out from us season veterans and the newbies out
That was a great idea. Thanks Scott!
I've come to realize you guys must have very steady hands. You get such straight smooth lettering, it looks like a CNC did it. Mine are always jagged, rough looking. I think it's because i can't keep a steady, smooth motion.
There's a lot of factors that go into it, man. The board, the bits, and practice. Dad's definitely got a steadier hand than I do, but he's also got a few years on me😂😂
@@oldave100 I will say that some fonts are easier than others for sure. Also helps if you size the font for the bit you're using. I've gotten some ugly results from having to go over areas multiple times because the font was in between bit sizes so to speak.
Well, it has more to do with depth of the cut, because the deeper you go the wider the cut is. I think that's what you mean. If you wanna send me a picture of an example I could definitely give you some better insight. ryan@makeawoodsign.com
Someone said it but I take a pencil and mark a u or t(up,top) and r for right side Thanks for this great video, very very helpful
No problem, buddy! And marking your layout letters definitely helps. At least for the first time. After that, the front will be all black.
Another helpful video, thanks!
Glad it was helpful, Greg👍👍
I resented did a sign and needed pink and purple paint. Could only find satin or gloss in the colors I needed. I carved the sign then sprayed two coats of clear finish, taped off and sprayed my colors. Absolutely no bleeding after sanding it off.
That's a great idea! We'll have to try that and do a video on it.
Very helpful video. Thanks.
Thanks Mickey!
Great info!
Thanks.
Thanks Susan!
ROCK ON BABY!!
😂😂Thanks man!
👍👍👍.Thank you Lads
Anytime, buddy!👍👍
Last weekend I went to Lowes looking for a flat black primer. I couldn't find any, in any brand. I ended up getting the cheap store brand flat black paint instead. They didn't have much in the way of spray primer, period.
Each location has different stuff they stock, so sometimes it's hard to find. You can also get it off amazon. here's the link amzn.to/3K22RFm
Howdy Guys....
So, after doing several signs in my, ohhh, maybe 4-5 months of doing them is....drum roll.....
THE FINISH!!!
Most of my signs I'm doing now is geared for being outdoors, not hanging on a wall inside the house.
I use Spar Urethane, be it oil or water based depending on color.
But, the problem I have is that It's next to impossible to "brush" this finish on a carved sign without having streaks.
Seems like the only way to get it done is using a spray.
The problem with that is that it costs WAYYY more to use a spray, be it in a can or pouring it into a sprayer....of which, if poured into a sprayer, then the SPRAYER just eats up the finish and at nearly $30 a quart, that stuff goes by quick. And THEN, you got to turn around and clean it.
There's GOT to be a better way.
What am I missing here?
We use the critter sprayer for bigger signs. It's WAY cheaper than the spray cans, and in my opinion, gives a much better finish. Check it out here: amzn.to/3OpyL1b
I've never made one of these mistakes! 😅😅
😂😂😂 Me neither! Crazy, huh??
@@oldave100 overspray is a myth!! 😆 🤣 😂 just kidding
👍👍 5:5 😀
Thanks, buddy!!👍
I struggle with large outset letters that will be raised a good bit above the background surface. What is the proper step down bits to get it raised but keep straight lines.
We always use the profile bit to do our outline. The biggest thing you want to do is make sure you carve deep enough. We usually go around the first pass about 3/16" then go back around at 1/4" to give that "buffer zone" for the 90 degree. Hope this helps, buddy! If you have any other questions you can always email me a ryan@makeawoodsign.com
@@oldave100 Appreciate it. Will do that next time.
I got the N wrong on a customers sign. I always check the paper you have in your bags now.
Ya, that's always a good idea! It's super easy to miss stuff like that, especially if you get in a hurry.
oh, so thats why my sander gunked up n:(, profile bit $100 aust to Australia, i'm jealous of the
north Americans :)
Dang, that shipping is rough!
This video is useless. I never make mistakes. 😝
😅😅😅 Lucky you!