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

 

[zhelevn]

I make a lot of signs, like house signs. For the number I use a 60 degree bit. Comes out nice for that size font, about 80-100mm in height. For the street name, around 30-40mm text height, the 60 degree is too shallow in milling depth to give the text good contrast. Contrast is natural achieved with depth, so I use a 30 degree for that, which can cut deeper for the same font size. I hope this is useful to cross compare to what you're looking into doing.

For close to ground level, make sure you select some hardwood. Osmo UV protection oil is as excellent as they come, but if the sign isn't too precious, most oils will do and will need reapply at least annually.

 

[throbscottle]

4" x 6" that's tiny ?

It is, yes. Maybe a bit bigger but not much. It's a tiny garden!

 

[throbscottle]

I make a lot of signs, like house signs. For the number I use a 60 degree bit. Comes out nice for that size font, about 80-100mm in height. For the street name, around 30-40mm text height, the 60 degree is too shallow in milling depth to give the text good contrast. Contrast is natural achieved with depth, so I use a 30 degree for that, which can cut deeper for the same font size. I hope this is useful to cross compare to what you're looking into doing.

For close to ground level, make sure you select some hardwood. Osmo UV protection oil is as excellent as they come, but if the sign isn't too precious, most oils will do and will need reapply at least annually.

That's very useful, thanks. These will be quite small - so my first guess of 60 degrees would be too wide then. Maybe 45?

 

[meccarroll]

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

Thank you for that information. I have an XTool 20W Diode laser so will try what you mention good bt of information cheers.

 

[HamsterJam]

Thank you for that information. I have an XTool 20W Diode laser so will try what you mention good bt of information cheers.

Ive had a low power laser engraver for a while now but recently upgraded to a 20w unit.
For one of my first projects I laser engraved a house number into oak. I filled the numbers with black paint before varnishing the whole thing.
(The oval shape was cut out with the laser too).

 

[Chief Sawdust Maker]

Great work
You may find a product called Oramask useful its a film you apply prior to cutting the letters then after you have painted you peel it off leaving a smart painted edge
Or you may have a much steadier hand than me

 

[meccarroll]

I just checked what bits I used for the V.Carve on the below plaque and for the words The House I used a 60 deg V bit. I did a pocket around the Ferrari then used a 60 deg V bit to put a bevel on the edge.

I don't do a lot of this sort of thing but have found you have to experiment with fonts to see how the lettering will turn out.

My software tells me that I set the V.Carve to 3mm depth.

 

[meccarroll]

Ive had a low power laser engraver for a while now but recently upgraded to a 20w unit.
For one of my first projects I laser engraved a house number into oak. I filled the numbers with black paint before varnishing the whole thing.
(The oval shape was cut out with the laser too).

The lettering stands out really well.

 

[throbscottle]

Very nice!

 

[zhelevn]

That's very useful, thanks. These will be quite small - so my first guess of 60 degrees would be too wide then. Maybe 45?

I don't think I have a 45 degree, but it may be a good happy medium. It also depends on what font you pick. Some fonts have parts of the letters that become quite thin, so that may not show up nicely when milled with 45 or 60 degree. Some fonts have letter spacing that is too close and this creates sections between letters that are too thin (almost like the "h" and the "e" in the sign posted above, excellent work btw). For most cases, only you may notice, but as I've always wanted to eventually begin selling some pieces, I'm constantly knitpicking my own work and improving where I can.