Garden plaques

[throbscottle]

I want to make some small engraved wooden plaques to go in the garden (maybe 10cm x 15cm or thereabouts), since my wife likes the idea and it would be a good beginner project for me. Would be text and maybe the odd line drawing. Any suggestion what's the best angle of engraving bit to use, considering they will be outdoors and close to ground level?

 

[meccarroll]

You can use 45, 60 or even a 90 deg V.bit for carving it all depends upon how you want the letters to look.

For a line drawing a 45 or 60 deg V.bit would work but also consider ball nose end mills:

 

[Chief Sawdust Maker]

I supply some very similar things to a couple of commercial clients,
I moved away from actual engraving to laser engraving as the relief engraving didn't show up very well.
I use British Oak, laser engraved and finish the oak with several coats of Tong Oil the items spend most of the spring and summer stuck in the ground.
When they are removed in the autumn they are dried and reoiled before using again the following year, many of them are 4 years old

 

[ChaiLatte]

It could be wise to check your CAM software to confirm it can accommodate any bit angle you choose. You would be unhappy if you bought 60 degree bits and the software only works with 90 degree bits.

 

[meccarroll]

I supply some very similar things to a couple of commercial clients,
I moved away from actual engraving to laser engraving as the relief engraving didn't show up very well.
I use British Oak, laser engraved and finish the oak with several coats of Tong Oil the items spend most of the spring and summer stuck in the ground.
When they are removed in the autumn they are dried and reoiled before using again the following year, many of them are 4 years old

Which laser do you use and does the sun not fade the laser markings?

 

[throbscottle]

So it's a case of try it and see, really then. I might go for 60.
I intend to paint in the letters once it's done. Is this liable to make a difference to the cut I need?
Software can use any bit I'm able to specify - it's good to have that pause for thought though!

 

[Blister]

I want to make some small engraved wooden plaques to go in the garden (maybe 10cm x 15cm or thereabouts), since my wife likes the idea and it would be a good beginner project for me. Would be text and maybe the odd line drawing. Any suggestion what's the best angle of engraving bit to use, considering they will be outdoors and close to ground level?

4" x 6" that's tiny ?

 

[Chief Sawdust Maker]

Which laser do you use and does the sun not fade the laser markings?

I have 2 lasers both diode type.
The key to none fading is to oil before and after lasering.
I have things with customers and also at home that are 4 + years old with no fading