New Sign Almost Finished
-
- Vectric Craftsman
- Posts: 152
- Joined: Mon Dec 20, 2010 9:18 pm
- Model of CNC Machine: 5ft x 8ft 11"inch Z axis 24k-rpm
- Location: North Alabama
- Contact:
New Sign Almost Finished
I've been away from here for too long! Hope everyone is doing great this year!
So recently I got in touch with several folks in the downtown area where I live and with all the new businesses coming in my name has gotten around keeping me busy! A restaurant hired me to create two double sided signs, one for their front entrance and one for the back. I thought this would be a simple job but have ran into several issues which I've had to work through. For instance, on the CNC machine I made this jig to hold an HDU piece while its carving. Embedded into the jig is a clamp system which kind of sticks up out of the material a little bit. So when creating a profile cut to cut the sign out of the material I couldn't send the bit to deep otherwise it would catch the channel and pull the thing out of whack. I figured I could just cut it out with a razor of something just as sharp. That's where my first problem began. That one sign I chipped out of the main material now had a nasty chipped edge on two sides of the sign. I used a substance at the local hardware store called "Rock-Hard" to use as a spackle to re-shape the sharp edge. That was a pain! So far I am farther along with the second sign rather than the first due to all the issues I've had with the first. But being as this is only my 3rd sign I guess you live and learn! Anyway I'm not sure how I feel about using HDU. HDU after carving still seams to have a good bit of a gritty look to it instead of a nice smooth surface. I am using 15LB which may have something to do with it and it may be smoother with higher densities...can anyone confirm!? I've been thinking about using HDF or a higher grade MDF material for future signs. "NiceCarvings" I think uses more MDF in her signs than HDU. She is pretty bad-ass with signs! Here below are some photo's of my progress.
Best
Vic
So recently I got in touch with several folks in the downtown area where I live and with all the new businesses coming in my name has gotten around keeping me busy! A restaurant hired me to create two double sided signs, one for their front entrance and one for the back. I thought this would be a simple job but have ran into several issues which I've had to work through. For instance, on the CNC machine I made this jig to hold an HDU piece while its carving. Embedded into the jig is a clamp system which kind of sticks up out of the material a little bit. So when creating a profile cut to cut the sign out of the material I couldn't send the bit to deep otherwise it would catch the channel and pull the thing out of whack. I figured I could just cut it out with a razor of something just as sharp. That's where my first problem began. That one sign I chipped out of the main material now had a nasty chipped edge on two sides of the sign. I used a substance at the local hardware store called "Rock-Hard" to use as a spackle to re-shape the sharp edge. That was a pain! So far I am farther along with the second sign rather than the first due to all the issues I've had with the first. But being as this is only my 3rd sign I guess you live and learn! Anyway I'm not sure how I feel about using HDU. HDU after carving still seams to have a good bit of a gritty look to it instead of a nice smooth surface. I am using 15LB which may have something to do with it and it may be smoother with higher densities...can anyone confirm!? I've been thinking about using HDF or a higher grade MDF material for future signs. "NiceCarvings" I think uses more MDF in her signs than HDU. She is pretty bad-ass with signs! Here below are some photo's of my progress.
Best
Vic
http://www.rev-art.comKeep those in your life that charge your battery, not drain it.
-
- Vectric Wizard
- Posts: 1261
- Joined: Sun Jan 11, 2009 4:30 am
- Model of CNC Machine: 2014 roc-tech 4x8 with servos
- Location: bridgeton, indiana
Re: New Sign Almost Finished
if the sign goes outdoors, I would be afraid to use mdf.
the hdu is great for outdoors.
30 lb is much better than 15, and a lot more expensive. but I find that any hdu with sharp corners is vulnerable to denting if it gets hit or touched a lot. the best primer I have used for 15 lb hdu is fsc88. you can google that and find it. it fills in the pores very well. and be sure to wash your hdu signs with a good garden hose nozzle after you air blow the dust off. washing the hdu helps a lot. no soap, just water pressure.
that sign may have been a good candidate for pvc, such as celtec. its heavier, but it will cost less and is tough. I have even epoxied celtec to hdu and had good results. my tree book sign was made that way.
anyways, that is a very nice design.
the hdu is great for outdoors.
30 lb is much better than 15, and a lot more expensive. but I find that any hdu with sharp corners is vulnerable to denting if it gets hit or touched a lot. the best primer I have used for 15 lb hdu is fsc88. you can google that and find it. it fills in the pores very well. and be sure to wash your hdu signs with a good garden hose nozzle after you air blow the dust off. washing the hdu helps a lot. no soap, just water pressure.
that sign may have been a good candidate for pvc, such as celtec. its heavier, but it will cost less and is tough. I have even epoxied celtec to hdu and had good results. my tree book sign was made that way.
anyways, that is a very nice design.
http://www.3dsigncamp.com
http://www.roctechusacnc.com
http://www.roctechusacnc.com
-
- Vectric Craftsman
- Posts: 123
- Joined: Tue Jul 18, 2006 3:23 am
- Model of CNC Machine: ShopBot PRS 48 X 96 Aspire
- Location: Granville,PA USA
- Contact:
Re: New Sign Almost Finished
Nice sign! I agree with rej, that would have been a great candidate for Celtec. I use it a lot, it's easy to cut, easy to paint and it's tough!
ShopBot PRT 96
Corel X3
Aspire
Photo V-Carve
Cut 3D
Adobe Illustrator
Corel X3
Aspire
Photo V-Carve
Cut 3D
Adobe Illustrator
- jimwill2
- Vectric Wizard
- Posts: 612
- Joined: Tue Aug 31, 2010 1:48 am
- Model of CNC Machine: CaMaster Stinger w/recoil, FTC
- Location: Parkville, Missouri
Re: New Sign Almost Finished
I think Medex is one brand of water-resistant MDF and there are others. I bought a 4x8x1 sheet and it was around $80. It is heavy and makes a lot of dust like MDF but no formaldehyde.
Rej, Sandy in Canada makes most of his outdoor signs with it... maybe you know how to contact him about it?
Rej, Sandy in Canada makes most of his outdoor signs with it... maybe you know how to contact him about it?
Jim Williams
-
- Vectric Wizard
- Posts: 1261
- Joined: Sun Jan 11, 2009 4:30 am
- Model of CNC Machine: 2014 roc-tech 4x8 with servos
- Location: bridgeton, indiana
Re: New Sign Almost Finished
sandy owns windwalkersigns.com
extira is the same as medex I think. too much dust for me, but sandy swears by it.
extira is the same as medex I think. too much dust for me, but sandy swears by it.
http://www.3dsigncamp.com
http://www.roctechusacnc.com
http://www.roctechusacnc.com
-
- Vectric Craftsman
- Posts: 152
- Joined: Mon Dec 20, 2010 9:18 pm
- Model of CNC Machine: 5ft x 8ft 11"inch Z axis 24k-rpm
- Location: North Alabama
- Contact:
Re: New Sign Almost Finished
Thanks guys! I will be looking into these new materials for ease of use.
Best
Vic
Best
Vic
http://www.rev-art.comKeep those in your life that charge your battery, not drain it.
-
- Vectric Craftsman
- Posts: 198
- Joined: Wed Aug 08, 2012 6:30 pm
- Model of CNC Machine: Shark Pro Plus
- Location: Liberty Twp (N. Cincinnati) OH
Re: New Sign Almost Finished
Nice work!
Eric
The WoodEraser
Liberty Twp (N. of Cincinnati & S. of Dayton) Ohio
The WoodEraser
Liberty Twp (N. of Cincinnati & S. of Dayton) Ohio
- esteeme1
- Vectric Wizard
- Posts: 2132
- Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2010 3:26 pm
- Model of CNC Machine: Cobra 404 ATC; ROMAX WD-1; Shark
- Location: Chesapeake VA
- Contact:
Re: New Sign Almost Finished
Very Nice!
I can't wait to see the finished sign.
I can't wait to see the finished sign.
Jim Darlas
"Can Do!"
http://www.esteemedwoodcrafts.com/
http://www.esteemedplaques.com/
"Can Do!"
http://www.esteemedwoodcrafts.com/
http://www.esteemedplaques.com/
-
- Vectric Wizard
- Posts: 823
- Joined: Tue Jun 01, 2010 4:51 pm
- Model of CNC Machine: CAMaster MC4848
- Location: Prescott AZ
Re: New Sign Almost Finished
Nice work Vic!
I really like looking at the picture of you painting it, it shows a good way to paint without getting any paint in the recessed areas.
I to would like to see the finished sign.
Mark
I really like looking at the picture of you painting it, it shows a good way to paint without getting any paint in the recessed areas.
I to would like to see the finished sign.
Mark
- customquint
- Vectric Craftsman
- Posts: 240
- Joined: Tue Jan 25, 2011 4:18 am
- Model of CNC Machine: AXYZ
- Location: Piqua, OH
- Contact:
Re: New Sign Almost Finished
Looks Good! Be sure to share the finished sign when it's installed
-
- Vectric Craftsman
- Posts: 123
- Joined: Tue Jul 18, 2006 3:23 am
- Model of CNC Machine: ShopBot PRS 48 X 96 Aspire
- Location: Granville,PA USA
- Contact:
Re: New Sign Almost Finished
Here is a sign that I finished a few weeks back.
ShopBot PRT 96
Corel X3
Aspire
Photo V-Carve
Cut 3D
Adobe Illustrator
Corel X3
Aspire
Photo V-Carve
Cut 3D
Adobe Illustrator
-
- Vectric Craftsman
- Posts: 152
- Joined: Mon Dec 20, 2010 9:18 pm
- Model of CNC Machine: 5ft x 8ft 11"inch Z axis 24k-rpm
- Location: North Alabama
- Contact:
Re: New Sign Almost Finished
Forgot to upload a revised picture of the finished product.
Best
Vicartbytes
Best
Vicartbytes
http://www.rev-art.comKeep those in your life that charge your battery, not drain it.
- fretsman68
- Vectric Wizard
- Posts: 1084
- Joined: Tue Sep 02, 2008 7:16 pm
- Location: Pa. USA
Re: New Sign Almost Finished
That looks great, may I ask how and what you used for anchors to connect the HDU to the chain to hang it?
Thanks,
Dave
Thanks,
Dave
--------------
Dave
Dave