Hey all, I am pleased to say that I have my first major restoration/design/build project at the stage for submitting an estimate. It is a veteran’s chapel in a major church here in NYC. I would love to say that I’d hand carve all the gothic detail and lettering I need to do, but time and reality are major factors. So, two questions:
Does anyone know of a book dealing in making gothic architectural details, like arches and quatrefoils, with a router, and, does anyone make letter template sets in nice Roman or Gothic letters? I have surfed the web and only come up with boring, square letters.
Any ideas and advice greatly appreciated!
TIA,
Michael
Replies
I just built a CNC router for doing stuff like this. Letters are easy. If you need templates I could make you some of those also. Let me know, I'm dying to do something useful.
tony
Hi Tony,
Thanks for the reply. Sorry but what's CNC? Sounds promising!
Thanks,
Michael
CNC is computer numerical control. I can program the letters you want and outline them with a router bit with the compensation of the size bit you will use to template route them. Cut them out and all you would have to do is trace with the pattern cutting bit.
tony
For letter template/sizing, I just start going through fonts on my computer. You can print them out to virtually any practical size. I suppose you could trace them onto a piece of 1/4" hardboard (masonite) and then cut out the letters if you wanted to make a template. I've had excellent luck just tracing them directly onto my workpiece with some carbon/graphite paper and using a router freehand.
Alan & Lynette Mikkelsen, Mountain View Farm, est. 1934, Gardens & Fine Woodworking, St. Ignatius, MT
Hi Alan,
This makes the most sense and is so obvious, I hadn't thought of it! Why do I always try to complicate things? Let you know how it works out, and thanks for the idea!
Michael
I saw "Norm" using a 45-degree chamfering bit, free-hand, to carve letters using a router recently. He raised or lowered the router, pivoting on one edge of its base, to moderate the depth of cut. As I recall, he started by selecting the desired font, sizing it to the task a hand, and printing it using a PC; don't recall if he traced it onto the workpiece or glued it to the workpiece. Looked like it could produce good results with a bit of practice.-Jazzdogg-
Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right.
Not sure on what Normie did, but if the wood is light colored and you are using a laser printer or copier, a trick is to use the PC to make the letters in mirror image then photo copy them and then use an iron to transfer them (loosen the toner on the paper) to the wood and you can then use that as your guide.1 - measure the board twice, 2 - cut it once, 3 - measure the space where it is supposed to go 4 - get a new board and go back to step 1
Gothic details
Hire a Gargoil wood helper?
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