[Joe Crumley]

It doesn't take long to get me excited about routing letters. There are so many possabilities. It doesn't take much time to convert a standart character into a piece of art. But it does take a little experimenting.



I'm not to fond of using the 3D programs. They take too much time. I've been using roundover bits and V bits.



I've taken to texturing my letters to give them extra interest. It also eleminates the need to sanding. One of my favorite surface techniques is Sculpt Nouveau. It's exterior quality and last for years.



I'm sure there's others doing the same thing as myself. I'm always open to leaning.

Joe Crumley
www.normansignco.com

[CarveOne]

Very nice looking sign work Joe. What kind of machine(s) do you use?

CarveOne

[Joe Crumley]

Thanks for the complement.

I'm using an EZ.

Tell me more about what you're doing with your equipment. And what are your plans for the future.

At my company, which is me and a part time helper, the goal is to offer the best signs possible and share as much information with other sign artists as possible. For years I've been active on the SB froum offering a few sign tips over there. It's an excellent forum, having a catagory for "Signs".

I can't figure out why there isn't more sharing on the topic of signs. Which is to say the posting of step by step techniques.

Joe Crumley
www.normansignco.com

[ger21]

Please post more info. I'd like to learn more about the sign making process. Thanks for sharing.

[Joe Crumley]

G.

First off, do you think there are many CNC guys, on this forum, making signs? The reason I'm asking, it's helpful have input from others in the field. I'm like everyone else with a desire to expand my techniques and horizons. It's very helpful to have participation.

Perhaps if there was a topic heading under SIGNS, others sign artist would be more likely to join in. Last week, after posting some router steps, on a sign painters forum, I had several emails asking about forums who specialised in router work. To my knowledge there isn't much out there.

Everyone who has a router would like to expand their techniques and offer better products. And make more money.

Joe Crumley
www.normansignco.com

[ger21]

G.

First off, do you think there are many CNC guys, on this forum, making signs?

Honestly, probably not, at least not like yours. A lot of hobbiests making small signs, but I haven't really seen anything big and fancy. I've seen the most signs on the Vectric forum, under the Aspire and V-Carve Pro section.

[Rico55]

Hi Joe,
I do a fair amount of signs on my router, and have learned a few things from you on the Shopbot Forum. I think a Sign forum on CNC Zone would be a great idea, because there are others here who share a lot of good techniques. I tend to hang out here more than on some other sites, so it would be convenient to have a forum here. Who do you need to talk to about setting up a new catagory? The forum might include 3d specialty work, like architectural ornaments and mouldings, furniture parts, etc., since some of us tend to do a variety of stuff to keep from getting too skinny.

[ger21]

I think a Sign forum on CNC Zone would be a great idea, because there are others here who share a lot of good techniques. I tend to hang out here more than on some other sites, so it would be convenient to have a forum here. Who do you need to talk to about setting up a new catagory?

I'll see if I can get that added.

[Rickv100]

I would be interested in a signs forum.

Rick

[lumberjack_jeff]

I would love to see a signs forum too.

I read the shopbot forum and although the stuff they are doing is cool, it's not always useful for me.

[CarveOne]

I too would be interested in seeing a signs forum here. I have a couple of friends who are building a 5'x10' MechMate and one is undoubtedly going to want to make specialized CNC signs as a sideline business. I have an interest in it myself.

Joe's site has lots of photos of really good examples that I don't have the imagination to create myself. One of my nephews has the artistic ability to do so and has no CNC capability. His signs have been hand made so far. I'm considering working out some deals with him.

CarveOne

[Joe Crumley]

Both Vetric and Shopbot forums have served the sign community very well. However I don't have either of their products. Over the years SB has been very generous allowing me post, all the while knowing, I had sold off their product, choosing one of their competitors. And the premier software “Vetric” is understandably self limited. I don't have that either. Wish I did!

This forum, on the other hand, has a neutral platform. A place to share valuable knowledge by exchanging techniques and processes.

The best way I've found to raise the quality of signs in my community, is through sharing. I have an open shop. Everyone is welcome to visit and walk through. It's best to share prices, techniques and knowledge. I make more money that way. I'm hoping visitors will find some little technique they can use. By raising the standards, we all win. We all make more money too. The competition is limited to cutting out stickers. Anyone lucky enough to have a CNC is armed with Financial Bazooka. But it takes a little knowledge and techniques to get the most out of it. Why can't we have a forum, with a title, dedicated to that?

One of the best learning experiences I've had is step by step examples. And how about showing some of those simple little techniques in shaping letters or logo's.

I know it would take time to get folks involved but that's OK. All the more reason not to waste time.

Joe Crumley
www.normnsignco.coma

[ger21]

This thread has now been moved into the new Signmaking forum.

[daoneua]

Where is Signmaking forum? Is it in the cnczone forum still?

[Switcher]

Where is Signmaking forum? Is it in the cnczone forum still?

Yes, it's another cnczone sub forum
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=466

[Switcher]

Joe,

That's pretty slick, how you attached the raised letters.

At first I thought you just glued them, then I see that you did an inlay.

[Joe Crumley]

Thank you very much Mr. Switcher.

I'm fond of using the inset letter method. Aside from being a good way to secure them to the background, it's also more visualy impressive. I've also grown of leaving a slight edge relief, making the technique more pronounced.

Years ago I'd profile the letters on the background. Which left me with the deliclate process of painting. It's so much easier to paint individual letters and plop them in their sockets with a little GE Silicone glue.

On this sign, which has an ArtDeco design, I've ribbed the background making it necessary to pocket my letters.



It's such an easy technique. Well, that is, It's easy for a router.

I'm using Extira for most of my letters. I have a few tests of this material left outside and it's showing very, if any, weathering. I'm amazed at how it holds up. But, it should be properly prepaired prior to painting.

Joe Crumley
www.normansignco.com

[CarveOne]

Thank ya, thank ya, thank ya!

Joe, do you have any good pics of your router so we know what size machine you are working with? I suppose that you have a preferred method of joining materials for signs that are longer than your machine's capacity.

CarveOne

[Switcher]

Joe,

You create great looking signs!

I have a ? about a photo, on your website here, how did you arrange every part of that sign to align so perfect, did you build a template, to get everything to align correct?

[Joe Crumley]

S,

I had Mark Fair to design and build this website for me. www.markfairsigns.com. That was a few years ago and I haven't updated it with new sample photo's since it was made.

I asked Mark to make me a portfolio page showing my prospective customers what I had to offer. Most websites are way too involved for me. What I need to do now is eleminate the first page and post a bunch of new signs.

Thanks for your complements. Wish I could be of further help.

J.