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DIY Forum >> Carpentry Questions >> House Plaque
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Message started by HandyMac on Apr 23rd, 2004, 3:03pm

Title: House Plaque
Post by HandyMac on Apr 23rd, 2004, 3:03pm

I'm thinking about making a house plaque for the front of our house, and maybe use a router and templates to carve out the number (or name).

What sort of wood would be suitable for our weather conditions in the UK, and what additional finishing would be required?

Andrew

Title: Re: House Plaque
Post by Dewy on Apr 23rd, 2004, 7:01pm

A friend of mine made a similar plaque but has moved so I can't ask him what wood he used.
It was cut from a log at an angle so it was elliptical with the bark left on. He carved the name then painted the name black. When the paint dried he sanded the face to remove stray paint. He finished it with a high gloss polyeurethane to keep the weather out.
He must have hand carved it because it was done in an Old English font.

Title: Re: House Plaque
Post by jasonB on Apr 23rd, 2004, 7:10pm

One way to engrave the letters that I have used on a couple of garden benches is to print out what you want with a computer then glue this to the surface of the sign. Trace round the edge with a sharp knife to prevent tearout then cut out the main area with a 3mm routerbit set about 3mm deep freehand to almost touch the line then clean up with a chisel. Sand to remove the paper & glue. Paint as above.

Oak would be your best bet although yew looks good cut on the angle but may split as it dries.

Jason

Title: Re: House Plaque
Post by coggy on Apr 23rd, 2004, 7:15pm

jasonB

Ive sent you a personal message, have you had it??

Cheers mate

Title: Re: House Plaque
Post by jasonB on Apr 23rd, 2004, 7:31pm

I have now, reply sent

Title: Re: House Plaque
Post by Charlie Farley on Apr 25th, 2004, 7:30pm

You are spot on Jason!

Thats exactly how it's done but do not do all of the cut in one go - Print several and take a bit at a time remembering to put some index points on the timber and the templates so each template lines up exactly.

;D

Title: Re: House Plaque
Post by Charlie Farley on Apr 25th, 2004, 7:33pm

Iroko is good as well but is is resinous.  Treat with an oil to get round this but looks great


;D

Title: Re: House Plaque
Post by mailee on May 1st, 2004, 9:41pm

I have made a few house signs in the past with the router and find this to be the best and most accurate way. As has been already mentioned print out the letters or numbers from the computer and stick them to the wood. Score the outline with a modelling knife and then with a very small cutter in the router take small cuts around the outline. I find that holding the router by the base and not the handles gives more control of it too. Take shallow cuts to the required depth instead of one or two big cuts. Once the outline depth has been reached use a bigger cutter to remove the bulk of the waste. When all the cutting has been done use a chisel vertical to scrape the surrounding base flat and give a smooth appearance. Finish by sanding off the paper templates and use the finish of your choice. Good luck with your project. ;)  

Title: Re: House Plaque
Post by cupid on May 1st, 2004, 10:30pm

My father made me a plaque with our name&house number on, it duly hung with pride for 6/7yrs,i think he made it from black mahogany,last year we moved house and bought it with us,sadly can not hang it as number not same :( still it has great memories of my dear old dad :)

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