joe
03-14-2011, 10:44 PM
Greetings Artists,
I'm very fond of Rough Cedar but I know it has a few limitations. This wood will move and open up with time. Knowing this I design the flaws in mind. It only cost about $2. a board foot. For us down here in Okla. it's available at most lumber yards. I love all the knots, splits and cracks. It's this inherant rough look I'm selling.
The Elephant Pavilion sign was made with 2"X12" planks. This panel scaled to 6'x16'. It weighed in excess of 500 lbs. Signs this size take extra help while in the shop. For that reason they are not as cheap as smaller signs. The OKC Zoo requested HDU. I knew the setting and it called out for rough lumber. A smooth surfaced material just wasn't the look I was after. The letters are pocketed Extira while the graphics are PVC and DiBond. The flower peddels were cut from 1/4" pvc and shaped with a propane tourch.
My favorite natural finish is several coats of Sikkens. I use three different colors. They are applied and blended seperately for extra depth. Owners of ranches like the natural wood look. I want these to last for years so I apply several coats. Five or six isn't unusual. I like blending with wet on wet. You can't make a mistake, it's that forgiving. As you apply extra coats of Sikkens it will get glossy in spots. I'm not fond of that but it's the territory. That goes away with time. I use their SRD version.
One little hint: When I begin routing, I go around all the letters and small details with a 1/8" down spiral. My first pass it about 1/8" deep, ending up at .40. After that, it's a fast hog out of the background with a 1/4" bit full depth. The rougher the better. Turn her loose, while you go have a hot cup of coffee.
Happy routing.
Joe
www.normansignco.com (http://www.normansignco.com)
I'm very fond of Rough Cedar but I know it has a few limitations. This wood will move and open up with time. Knowing this I design the flaws in mind. It only cost about $2. a board foot. For us down here in Okla. it's available at most lumber yards. I love all the knots, splits and cracks. It's this inherant rough look I'm selling.
The Elephant Pavilion sign was made with 2"X12" planks. This panel scaled to 6'x16'. It weighed in excess of 500 lbs. Signs this size take extra help while in the shop. For that reason they are not as cheap as smaller signs. The OKC Zoo requested HDU. I knew the setting and it called out for rough lumber. A smooth surfaced material just wasn't the look I was after. The letters are pocketed Extira while the graphics are PVC and DiBond. The flower peddels were cut from 1/4" pvc and shaped with a propane tourch.
My favorite natural finish is several coats of Sikkens. I use three different colors. They are applied and blended seperately for extra depth. Owners of ranches like the natural wood look. I want these to last for years so I apply several coats. Five or six isn't unusual. I like blending with wet on wet. You can't make a mistake, it's that forgiving. As you apply extra coats of Sikkens it will get glossy in spots. I'm not fond of that but it's the territory. That goes away with time. I use their SRD version.
One little hint: When I begin routing, I go around all the letters and small details with a 1/8" down spiral. My first pass it about 1/8" deep, ending up at .40. After that, it's a fast hog out of the background with a 1/4" bit full depth. The rougher the better. Turn her loose, while you go have a hot cup of coffee.
Happy routing.
Joe
www.normansignco.com (http://www.normansignco.com)