first carved sign

[pilgreen23]

it was a fun little three day project for my grandpa, carved in basswood with hand tools, finished with minwax wood sheen rub and just a little acrylic wash on the letters, i might do another like this but this confirmed my dislike for basswood, is there anyone else who likes to carve super hard woods (dried oak etc.) more, i feel like i have more control and can get better detail with harder woods when i use hand tools and i think they are more aesthetically pleasing

[mobjack68]

I only wish my first sign looked as good....You have a lot of possibilities when creating signs. I would encourage you to google wood sign pics. Look critically at others work and you do not have to reinvent the wheel.

One thing I have discovered (the hard way) about letters....it is much easier to cut the letters in than leave them raised. Leave the space raised where the lettering will be, an embossed area as it were, the size and shape you desire. This area should be the same height as the border...Of course all of this depends on the overall look that you are after.
I have been known to cut the letters out with the scroll saw and glue them in place (indoor sign) ...yea, I cheat...but it really gives a sharp, crisp look to the letters.

As you continue to massage your technique and style take some scraps and cut some incised letters. If you desire to have raised letters, don't forget to do a "stop" cut around your letters before you cut away the background. Chisels where possible, chip carving knife/x-acto knife for curves,, corners and tight spots.....Good luck and keep chipping.....post any and all questions...


(I transitioned from hand carved signs to sand blasted signs....the blasted signs seem to have run their course, most folks haven't wanted to maintain the wood....cost seemed to be a driving factor, hand carved takes about 10 times longer than blasting......math isn't hard..)

[Donsexton]

Looks great I bet your Grandpa loved it.

[SeaLeveler]

Great looking sign there.I like thhe way you did the background around the letters.
Tony

[sashadoc]

Nice gouge work on the background, however, because the gouge marks are as large,if not larger,than the lettering they tend to draw your attention away from the lettering. Try a smaller gouge or stippling. Just my two cents.

Tim