25 dimensional signs in a hurry!

The MultiCam has been kept running plenty of hours as the fronts and backs (and middles too) of the hole markers and rules signs have been cut.  The files were very large with all of the woodgrain detail and were cut overnight while I slept.

While the rule signs were being cut I laminated the hole markers. Each had a piece of 3/4″ plywood laminated into the center to ad strength and also provide a secure attachment for the screws.
The next task is to laminate the fronts and backs of the rule signs. They too will have 3/4″ plywood glued into the center. 

The next task is to use the die grinder to add woodgrain detail to the edges. Even with 30 lb Precision Board this job goes quickly. And then it is off to paint. Stay tuned for that process.
-dan

Published with permission from precisionboard.blogspot.com. Source.

A Sign Is The Welcome Mat For A Business

Having a nice sign at a restaurant is imperative – it is the welcome mat for passersby and one of the best representatives of the business.

Vic Holt, owner of Rev Art in Decatur, AL sent in some pictures of a sign he made for the “Back Alley Bistro“, a restaurant also located in Decatur. When the customer came to him wanting an old-fashioned looking sign but with a modern edge for their business, Vic knew he could create the sign desired using his CNC router coupled with Vectric Aspire CNC Software.

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Using Precision Board Plus PBLT-15, Vic used his CNC machine to carve the double-sided sign before priming it using FSC-88WB Primer/Filler. After the primer, Vic applied the initial paint coat, starting with the color which belonged in the deepest recesses of the sign. Using a combination of rollers, foam brushes and bristle brushes, Vic applied separate colors of Sherwin-Williams Exterior Latex/Acrylic, using a foam roller on the highest parts of the sign while taking care not to over-saturate the roller to avoid drips.

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After the paint is complete and the sign is installed, Vic makes an on-site visit to inspect for any imperfections that might require touch-ups which may be more easily visible in the sunlight. Giving his customers the best is not enough – his goal is to ensure his customers are permanently satisfied with his work.

Be sure to visit: http://www.rev-art.com for more info!

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Hole number markers

May has been one of my most frantic months I can remember in some years. At long last I seem to be getting my feet under me once more. After a week of having no time to build files I have at last got back to my desk once more.

The WhistlePunk Adventure Golf signs are the next thing to be done. It is not often we do batch work where multiples of similar signs need doing but a project like the golf needs just that. EnRoute and our MultiCam are good at that sort of thing. With a reliable machine I set the machine in motion and then only check it once in a while to make sure things are going as they should. Best of all the files are large which means once I made the files the router will churn away for many hours. I’ll then throw on another sheet of Precision Board and hit the go button one more time.

The hole markers were today’s first task. The signs I am routing today are the fronts and backs. The middle layer which has a hole in the center for the plywood for mounting.

The signs are woodgrain with raised lettering.

As always it started with the vectors. I used my own font called ‘quickdraw’. For those interested it is available at letterheadfonts.com

I created three different wood backgrounds. I then duplicated, rotated and flipped these backgrounds until I had 17 different plates to start with. I then duplicated and flipped them one more time to create the backs of the signs. I then spaced them out on my board and centered the numbers on the reliefs.

 

 I created the number outlines as flat reliefs. These reliefs were then positioned vertically to clear the woodgrain backgrounds.

The number outlines were then merged highest with the base relief. This had to be done one relief at a time as it can’t yet be batched in EnRoute.

Lastly the numbers were added to the reliefs using the dome tool They have an upright edge (base) of 0.15″.

Then it was time to send the file to the MultiCam to be routed from 30 lb Precision Board. The file will be routed using two passes. The rough pass was with a 3/8″ ball nose bit at a 50% overlap. The final pass was using a 1/8″ ball nose bit with an 80% overlap. Here’s a pic of the rough pass in progress.

Tomorrow I’ll be gluing all these signs up and setting the next batch in progress. Stay tuned…
-dan

Published with permission from precisionboard.blogspot.com. Source.

CNC Routing PBLT-75 HDU – High Density Urethane Tooling Board

Some of our past blogs have talked about how to achieve chips or dust when routing Precision Board Plus. Recently, LMT Onsrud tested our current highest density, PBLT-75. Not only did they cut a clean edge, they also fine-tuned the settings to produce shavings.

Cutting tool is Onsrud 52-704, 16,000 RPM, 256 Inches Per Minute.

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Contact us at: (800) 845-0745 or click here if you would like a free sample!

Pinterest For Signmakers: A Valid Time Investment?

For those of you who haven’t heard of Pinterest, specifically signmakers, we highly recommend you check it out and consider creating an account to show off your craftsmanship.

Over the last two years Pinterest has experienced the largest year-to-year increase in audience among all social media competitors such as Instagram and Tumblr.

With so much of the focus of Pinterest being vibrant imagery, signmakers have a great opportunity to showcase their visually pleasing product. Adding photos takes hardly any time and is a great way to increase your web presence for free.

Check out our Pinterest account at: pinterest.com/precisionboard to see some awesome projects and signs!

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