Joe Crumley
New Member
A case for the router.
Everyone, I know, who dives into CNC signs ends up going in a totally different direction than they intended. The reason, it opens so many opportunities it's hard to choose which direction to go. That's one reason workshops are so popular. However you should choose a workshop that helps you go in the right direction.
Here's one of the opportunities. At one time all my signs were blasted but when Clear Heart Redwood became so expensive and rare I was left HDU. That material has no qualities of it's own and has it's own limits. Never before had I even considered using Yellow Pine or Rough Sawn Red Cedar. Now that's my main materials. It's available at the local Lowe's and is cheap.
I had mentioned earlier it's necessary to have good depth with letters standing above the background. With most lumber that's almost impossible by sandblasting alone. Blasting works best on soften woods. With the router it's possible to hog out the background and lightly blast. This gives the best of both worlds using otherwise lumber that wouldn't work.
When I started this adventure, three years ago, Yellow Pine would warp, split, and bugs would eat it alive. Nothing could be further from the truth. Same goes for cheap rough cedar.
Another advantage is I no longer use sandblast mask. If there's a need for blasting I cut 1/8" pvc and brad nail it down. What a good resist for blasting.
Joe Crumley
www.normansignco.com
Everyone, I know, who dives into CNC signs ends up going in a totally different direction than they intended. The reason, it opens so many opportunities it's hard to choose which direction to go. That's one reason workshops are so popular. However you should choose a workshop that helps you go in the right direction.
Here's one of the opportunities. At one time all my signs were blasted but when Clear Heart Redwood became so expensive and rare I was left HDU. That material has no qualities of it's own and has it's own limits. Never before had I even considered using Yellow Pine or Rough Sawn Red Cedar. Now that's my main materials. It's available at the local Lowe's and is cheap.
I had mentioned earlier it's necessary to have good depth with letters standing above the background. With most lumber that's almost impossible by sandblasting alone. Blasting works best on soften woods. With the router it's possible to hog out the background and lightly blast. This gives the best of both worlds using otherwise lumber that wouldn't work.
When I started this adventure, three years ago, Yellow Pine would warp, split, and bugs would eat it alive. Nothing could be further from the truth. Same goes for cheap rough cedar.
Another advantage is I no longer use sandblast mask. If there's a need for blasting I cut 1/8" pvc and brad nail it down. What a good resist for blasting.
Joe Crumley
www.normansignco.com
for the tip.