WELCOME!

It is hard to believe that it was almost ten years ago I witnessed a CNC router in action for the very first time. I was fascinated and simply had to have one! Although I had been in the creative end of the three dimensional sign business for most of my life I didn't really know what I would do with one of these machines - but I just knew it could do fantastic stuff.

Along with the CNC router I discovered the wonderful material called Precision Board and the glues, primers and other companion products they offer. Since then we have gone through many tons of the material using it in most signs and projects we tackle. This journal will chronicle our many adventures both past, present and future. I'll talk from the perspective of someone who pushes these products to the creative limit on a daily basis. I'll be adding to the stories two or three times each week. -dan

Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Pub sign step by step - part four

The sign was routed in two pieces for each side. I had mistakenly not reversed the toad stool and so the two halves would not match up. This wasn't a big deal however for they would be extensively reworked by hand when I sculpted them later.



I welded up a quick frame with 5/8" round steel bar. This was then placed on the back of one of the halves and an outline traced out with a pencil


I then used my air powered die grinder to create a half could hollow into which I would glue the welded frame. Once I had the first half done I put in the frame added the other side of the sign and carefully flipped it over. I then repeated the process.


Once everything fit properly I spread some PB Bond 240 glue (Coastal Enterprises) This is a one part glue activated by a spritz of water.



I then used some coarse wood screws to fasten the two sides together. I added the two school top pieces using the same glue.


I then ran some 1" pipe through our bender to form the correct radius I needed.



I cut the fancy bracket from some 1/4" plate on the MultiCam plasma cutter.


All of this was welded up and then bolted on to a temporary stand for finishing.


Now it is time for the fun part - hand sculpting and panting. Stay tuned...