Thread: routering numbers

You might be better off using a Dremel, and doing them free-hand.

Try Carba-Tec. Its called a letter kit. I cannot find it on their web page. I have just looked it up in 2010 cat. $79.00. Letters numbers and punctuation. I think Timbecon in WA carry it too.

Dean

Milescraft - According to their website, agents are Timbecon and Milescraft.com.au.

Cheers
Joe

The smallest router template sets seem to make letters & numbers 1.5 inches (40mm-ish) tall, which may be to big for your project.

While you are looking at the same part of the web, take a look for 'pantograph' - Milescraft make one (I have it). You can then trace the numbers from a printout and get the size you want by adjusting the reduction on the pantograph. You should also find some free plans on the 'Net for a DIY unit, they are not that had to make.

What size Numbers do you require ? Have a look at my second Boozing Kanga in the Intarsai section,- Those letters are 20mm.in height. Also can do numbers too if needed, although for a letterbox set-up,- 35mm. or larger would be easier to read. Got my own Templates as design and make heaps of custom-made wooden signs for people all the time, and as i couldn't find anything suitable anywhere, set to work and made my own,- took a while, but I got there. 20 - 25mm letters / numbers are best cut with a Dremel attached to a Router base accessory and using a 1/8th straight cutter set to 1/8th cutting depth. For all larger letters / numbers I use my light-duty 1/4" Router with a 1/4" straight cutter, set to 1/4",( 6mm.) cutting depth,- which I use free-hand. Takes a steady hand and heaps of patience, as is too easy to stuff-up, and ruin everything.
IF you would like to buy a set of my numbers from me simply send a PM, otherwise go for a standard MilesCraft, ( or similar ), set, which comes with templates, guides, and everything you need to cut out the letters, or numbers.
Roger

Thanks for all your help guys, i got onto Timbecon in Perth and they had the Signpro kit. They were extremely helpful and efficient and it was all done within a week. The kit is relatively easy to use but i wish the templates were metal rather than plastic, which tends to flex a little but with practice and patience i am sure it will do the job quite well. The pic is a piece of cedar i found in a site bin and was my second attempt.

I have been really suprised how easy it is to do handheld numbers and letters with my 1/4" router, just mark out the letters with a pencil first, then follow the lines. It does take a steady hand, and if you stuff it, the whole lots gone, but really satisfying when you finish and it doesn't look half bad. The added benefit is that you get the letters in your own handwriting.

Looks pretty good scubabob.

With my handwriting believe me that is no advantage!

Dean

Sounds like that was a pretty successful shopping expedition, scubabob, and the lettering looks pretty neat.

What is the size lettering you have shown us, and what is the minimum you can do with the SignPro kit?

Thanks for your kind words. The Signpro kit comes with 2 1/2" and 1 1/2" letters and 2 1/2" numbers ( both horizontal and vertical so you can do them on a post as a house number). There are double of everything too and extra vowels. 1 1/2" is the smallest template they have.

The ones shown are a 2 1/2" "J" and the rest are 1 1/2". The kit is American hence the imperial sizes. At present i have only used it in pine and cedar (which some moron threw in a site bin...... ), both soft timbers, easy to sand and work with and with little tearing. i haven't tried anything harder yet . Most engraved signs i have seen at markets are made on MDF which of course is soft and grainless but family have said no to me using it . i prefer real wood anyway.

i will keep you informed of any future progress, but dont hold your breath, got a lot of other stuff to do around the house before i get to play.