Sign Lettering

[Rockhead]

Hi all,

I'm working on my first sign and decided to do raised letters. I'd like to keep the chisel marks all going the same direction.

I'm wondering the best way to do in-between the letters. I've been working from both sides but I can't seem to get a clean smooth surface between them.

I've used straight, short bent, and long bent gouges so far with no luck.

I've tried scooping (for lack of a better term) with somewhat better results, but still not really cleaning the centers out.

Any tips?

I've attached a couple of pics, hoping I'm making myself clear.


Thanks,
Charlie

[carver33]

Charlie,

That's going to be a tough one. You are going to have to use a SHARP short bent gouge. Keep the initial cut from the raised part of the letters at the same angle and attempt to keep the curve to the flat even as well. On the wider spaces between the letters, you may be able to switch to a long bent gouge.

You are going to have to change the direction of the cut on the inside of the letters, but if you use a very sharp tool and take fine cuts, it won't be noticeable.

Finally, rough out the entire sign, so that everything is as even as possible, then go back and fine tune each letter. You may have to repeat the fine tuning more than once, but be patient, you'll get there.

[Rockhead]

Thanks for the tips carver. But by "rough out the entire sign" do you mean get everything the same level? That's my intention, or close to it anyway ;-)
I do want to see the tool marks, which is likely why I'm having the trouble where cuts meet.

Thanks again,
Charlie

[Howard Lobb]

Hey Charlie... That is a great job so far and you can do this!!! I agree with Carver33 ... slow and steady, as you work the background are down and come closer to the raised lettering and you are defining and refining the definistion you can safely change the aproach angle 90degrees to the raised letter walls. whenyou get the angle you want for the finished effect you can carefully very carefully go back over it to get the effect you want with the gouge cuts (tracks) going all in the same direction. I use a knife to cut the stop cut on the letter walls. I usualy cut a slight angle not streight down as that gives a very fradgile letter. leaving room to go over it (knife cuts) with a gouge to show the consistancy of the tool tracks. I know this isn't quite the same but this is a lid to a small tool box of the tools I used to carve this lid and the photo isn't as clear as it could be but it does show what I mean.

[RUssL.]

Chris Pye's book on letter carving.

That's my answer to virtually and letter carving questions.
More details included than I can absorb by reading cover-to-cover, but great as a step-by-step and as a reference for the type of problem you're facing.
Worth every penny.

Russ

[mateo]

looks like a tough project, should be a good learning experience. I'll want to check back and see how it went for you.

[carver33]

Charlie,

Yes, that's what I'm talking about with roughout - get the entire sign close to where you want to be.

I assumed that you wanted the gentle curved look from the edge of the letter to the base of the sign. However, Howard's method might be a better way to go, with near vertical sides to the letters.

In any case, what I do to blend cuts from opposite directions, is to get them as close as possible, then cut 90 degrees to the intersection with a VERY sharp gouge to shave off the little nibs of wood. If done properly, you won't see the 90 degree cut.

[Rockhead]

You assumed correctly carver, that's exactly what I'm trying to do. I get what you're saying now, but one last question. For the 90 degree cut should I use the smallest gouge I have or one that best matches the valley? (I hope that makes sense ;-)

Thanks for the tips and the compliments Howard. I think I'll try the more pronounced lettering on one of the next signs. I do like that design but I felt the gentle slope looked better with this type of lettering. You did some very nice work there. Stick around, I'm sure I'll have a couple of questions when I try that style ;-)

Russ, thanks for the suggestion. I’ll check my library for Pye books. Is the title Chris Pye on Letter Carving?

Mateo, thanks dude, now the pressure’s on, LOL.


Appreciate the help folks,
Charlie

[RUssL.]

Despite the image on the cover the book covers carving raised lettering as well as incised lettering (as shown on the cover).
A phenomenal book. I can't get enough of it. There is something new in it I each time I look through it.

Amazon.com: Lettercarving in Wood: A Practical Course (9781861080431): Chris Pye: Books

Good luck,

Russ

[Rockhead]

Thanks Russ. I'll check it out ;-)


Charlie