router templates

[harvey b davison]

Hi all

I'm wanting to make some tea light holders, similar to the one in the picture. Whats the best router templates for doing the lettering, and also which cutter, (i was thinking v shape ). or instead of routering, is there a better method. I am wanting the lettering in different sizes, maybe 30mm upwards.

 

Also whats the best finish to put on anything like this.

 

cheers.

[delabodge]

You can buy various stencils on eBay with letters, or buy a set of mdf letters and draw round them, if you've a few grand spare buy a lazer cutter, I free hand mine with a small elu router,good tip is too clamp a piece of wood either side to make a bigger surface area for your router��

[Wendelspanswick]

I'm guessing that the above was done with a CNC router as the exclamation mark is tapered which means the cutter was lifted as it cut, or it could have been hand cut with chisels.

[agrimog]

find a local engineering company with cnc milling capability, and get them to price a set of templates for you, this will be your best option as all thats available are pretty basic

[Mike Dempsey]

That's been done on a cnc router using a 45 degree cutter using design software such as V Carve Pro. The corners of the letters are crisp and sharp and the cutter is lifted at the corners. Using a router template you would get rounded corners.

[Woodworks]

I don't know about others but I don't like the perfect look. You know it's been done all by machine and shows no skill just investment. Hand carved lettering stands out and adds character that CNC work simply lacks.

Not the easiest skill to learn but not that hard to do a passable job and stands out in an age where more and more work just comes straight from a CNC

[harvey b davison]

Mmm, lazer cutters / cnc machines are out of the equation. I have done quite a few large letters by freehand with my router but normally in mdf. So i guess its just going to be, just a load of practising on scrap wood first, before i give it a proper go.

[agg221]

One suggestion for you, based on the cheaper kitchen worktop jigs.

 

If you draw the letters on a piece of mdf, say 12mm thick, and then freehand straight through using a 12.7mm cutter this will form a jig. You can then use a 1/4" shank 45degree cutter with a half inch bearing above. Set the bearing to run in the jig and it should work fine. I have just done all my kitchen worktops with a 'jig kit' which worked like this and hockey stick corners have come out fine with plenty of life left in the jig yet.

 

One handy tip with mdf jigs running bearings - if you do manage to nick it, car body filler such as Isopon soon has it fixed and can be rubbed down easily back to smooth.

 

Alec

[Wainy]

I have bought a stencil kit and it's quite easy once set up, think it was pro-craft will have to check. Think you can use straight, v or rounded cutters. Was brave enough to have a go on this gate.

[Wainy]

Also do some freehand, I know it's a bit rough but was a rustic themed wedding!