Large sign using Centerline QUESTION

[Rick P]

I will be carving a large sign using Centerline. Three 4 foot long panels will be epoxied together to make a 4 foot x 3 foot wide sign. The panels are 3/4" thick.

The top panel has one word laid out to be as large as possible. I checked the width at the top of the V of some of the lettering and got numbers like .701" , .819" across.
Will I have to use a 90 degree V Bit with a diameter larger than these measured widths...like a 1" diameter V Bit ??

Also, one area of the lettering is very wide...it's 1.202" across at the top...but the bottom has a double V. So, I assume the Bit will make two paths through this area of the letter. (This happens to be the first letter, which is capitalized.)
This capital letter is about 6" tall by 10" wide.

[ChrisAlb]

Hi Rick,

I'm not sure what font you're using but it doesn't really matter anyway. Unfortunately, Centerline doesn't work very well on LARGE letters. Unless of course, you like the double V cuts. Centerline will cut the white path lines as you see them on the screen. The diameter of the bit won't change that. It would simply cut those lines with a wider, or narrower bit.

As of yet, centerline won't "fill in" more tool path lines to achieve the right look in large letters. At least that's been my experience. Whenever I'm doing larger letters, as soon as I see the double cut, I have to scrap centerline and go to a raster or outline text.

The one exception to this (and there may be more fonts) is using the Modern font and applying the V bit yourself. But IMHO, the Modern font is butt ugly. However, since it is a "single line" path, it might work for what you're doing.

Also, keep in mind that the 60 V cuts deeper to achieve the same width of the letter as the 90. It's possible to cut right through the board depending on the board thickness and size of the letter. There was some at length discussion on this about a year ago in here.

[Kenm810]

Hi Rick,

I remembered this thread of posts,
about the subject form a couple of years ago.
Paul "pkunk" talks about using a 1" flat bottomed Sign Makers Bit,
to get the results I think your trying to achieve.

I'm Guessing the Bits are available in both 60 and 90 degrees
Check out his post #15 to see if the info might help.



Center Line Again (http://forum.carvewright.com/showthread.php?t=4074&highlight=Large+Text) (http://forum.carvewright.com/images/misc/multipage.gif 1 (http://forum.carvewright.com/showthread.php?t=4074&highlight=Large+Text) 2 (http://forum.carvewright.com/showthread.php?t=4074&page=2&highlight=Large+Text))

[ChrisAlb]

Hmmm...Ken, I never saw those. Thank You!

But, won't the bit still follow the two separate path lines anyway? Maybe I'm missing something here?

[Kenm810]

I haven't tried it myself,
But I'm thinking because of the width of the 1" bit having the flat bottom,
it would combine the double pass to remove the center ridge.
Plus not having to carve any deeper than a normal setting for a 60-V Groove bit,
you would have to worry about it cutting through your project board.

[ChrisAlb]

Ahhh...Soooo. It becomes clearer now...LOL

Thanks Ken!

[pkunk]

I had no depth problems, & my letters were even larger (8" IIRC), but I still had to clean up some parts with a chisel after the carve. Then a little dressing with the flex shaft and a burr. End product was good looking & lucrative. :)

[Rick P]

pkunk,
Where did you buy the 90 degree 1" diameter signmakers bit??

I have found a 60 degree lettering bit in the Eagle America catalog. This bit has a diameter of only 1/2" and a flat bottom dimension of 1/8".

I need the 1" diameter 90 degree bit for my larger Centerline text.

Thanks !

[HighTechOkie]

A larger diameter bit probably will not help you. Designer generates the tool path for centerline based on the dimensions of LHRs V90 (or V60) bits.

I see two possible options:
1. Change centerline to use V60, but use a larger V90 bit. Depending on the font, Designer will probably create two paths to achieve the same stroke width thus still leaving a ridge in the middle to chisel/carve out.
2. Design as usual with centerline defaults. Insert LHRs V90 for the machine to measure bit length, then pause the machine and swap to the larger V90 before its starts carving. While in theory this should work, the bit will be plunging deeper (since the larger V90 will be longer than the LHR bit) than expected and put excess stress on the machine. It may not cause any problems, but then again it could also. If something does go wrong, it could be an expensive lesson learned.

Rob

[pkunk]

pkunk,
Where did you buy the 90 degree 1" diameter signmakers bit??

I have found a 60 degree lettering bit in the Eagle America catalog. This bit has a diameter of only 1/2" and a flat bottom dimension of 1/8".

I need the 1" diameter 90 degree bit for my larger Centerline text.

Thanks !
I'm sorry, I don't remember.:confused: I'll look in the shop for a box or receipt.
I had also thought of substituting a large core box bit but leave the v-groove in the software design. The edges would be rounder but on a large sign from 30 ft away......

[bjbethke]

pkunk,
Where did you buy the 90 degree 1" diameter signmakers bit??

I have found a 60 degree lettering bit in the Eagle America catalog. This bit has a diameter of only 1/2" and a flat bottom dimension of 1/8".

I need the 1" diameter 90 degree bit for my larger Centerline text.

Thanks !
http://www.mytoolplace.net/Whiteside-1-Cutting-Diameter-x-12/M/B000MQJAJE.htm?traffic_src=FIND&utm_medium=organic&utm_source=FIND&affId=the005-20

The 90 degree 1" diameter signmakers bit is sold here.

[bjbethke]

You can also get a 2 inch here, not sure if it would work with the CW unit. It works on my Legacy Mill, but I use a 3HP router on it.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004T7E7/ref=asc_df_B00004T7E7833201?tag=the004-20&creative=380337&creativeASIN=B00004T7E7&linkCode=asn

[Rick P]

In posts 3 and 5 there is a picture of the "flat bottom" sign makers V-bit.

The bit I have not been able to find is the 90 degree "flat bottom" V-bit that is 1 inch in diameter. (it may not exist???)

The key feature of the bit is the flat bottom.

Eagle America has a 60 degree flat bottom V-bit and I wonder if that is the bit that pkunk wqas referring to???

[Rick P]

It seems a 1 inch diameter 90 degree V-bit with a flat bottom does not exist.

I am going to try setting the bit in Designer at 60 V and then loading the 90 V. If I have to I will look for a 90 V bit with a bigger diameter than the standard CW 90 V bit. I'll deal with the double V at the bottom of the letters.

I am still open to suggestions as I make some trial samples...

[Rocky]

I had no depth problems, & my letters were even larger (8" IIRC), but I still had to clean up some parts with a chisel after the carve. Then a little dressing with the flex shaft and a burr. End product was good looking & lucrative. :)


Plunk, can you post a photo of the sign; also, what font did you use?

Thanks,

[Ike]

It seems a 1 inch diameter 90 degree V-bit with a flat bottom does not exist.

I am going to try setting the bit in Designer at 60 V and then loading the 90 V. If I have to I will look for a 90 V bit with a bigger diameter than the standard CW 90 V bit. I'll deal with the double V at the bottom of the letters.

I am still open to suggestions as I make some trial samples...

I know it not flat bottom I have suggested this site several times and their bits are good bits I use them. http://www.eagleamerica.com/product/p13-2133/pc_-_groove_forming Plus this site has an one inch 90 degree, page 5 http://www.hartlauer-bits.com/HartlauerBitsList.pdf
Plus I can make a bit for you if interested?

Ike

[pkunk]

Plunk, can you post a photo of the sign; also, what font did you use?

Thanks,
These were 8" letters using Times New Roman & a 1" 90° round bottom sign carving bit. There have been prior threads on this 3ft x 5 ft sign.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v644/114thcobra/QCUpainted.jpghttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v644/114thcobra/8letters.jpg

[Rocky]

These were 8" letters using Times New Roman & a 1" 90° round bottom sign carving bit. There have been prior threads on this 3ft x 5 ft sign.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v644/114thcobra/QCUpainted.jpghttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v644/114thcobra/8letters.jpg

Thanks, Plunk. Good looking sign.........what type of wood is that?

[Rick P]

Nice looking sign !