Making a new wooden 'name plate'

[pcatterall]

Making a new wooden \'name plate\'

Just stripping off the stern of the boat to prepare new decking.

Across the transom was a wooden name plate 5'x 4" x5/8" with the boats name and original registered port inscribed.

The timber was just plywood and after 30 years needs replacing! It also serves to cover the screw holes which fix the inner timbers.

Question(s) Best timber for replacement? ( appearance, longlevity and 'inscribability'
Can I make a decent job of chisseling out the name or would my local joiner have some sort of router which would make a quick and not too expensive job of it?
Should I add the original port or just the name ( and a bit of fancy scroll work) ?
Regards Peter

 

[damo]

Re: Making a new wooden \'name plate\'

Use a nice bit of oak or teak. Letter carving takes a lot of practise to do well, and you need some specialist chisels.

IMO your local joiner wouldn't be able to do it easily without the necessary jigs - a better bet would be someone who supplies garden centres or the local parks department with wooden house and route signs. You give them a pic or template and the design is laser cut onto the wood.

I am tempted to offer to do it for you, but then it would be another day I'm not making stuff for my boat /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif (PM me anyway if interested)

 

[MJT]

Re: Making a new wooden \'name plate\'

I'm not sure if this will be seen as unacceptable advertising but as in anything, to get a good job for your pride and joy needs some experience of design, materials and skill. I am sure there are other woodcarvers around with their own boats besides me and we do have some understanding.
Not sure if I'm allowed to include a link but I will and I apologize if this breaks the rules but I don't doubt someone will tell me pretty shortly! Good luck.

www.martin-turner-woodcarver.com

 

[celandine]

Re: Making a new wooden \'name plate\'

For DIY name carving:- Print-out the name full size and in your desired font using your computer; glue this to your prepared piece of wood; then hand-rout through the paper into the wood. You will be surprised how accurately you can follow the lettering free hand, though best to practice a bit first before you start on your expensive bit of teak. I find it easiest to hold the router by the base; first cut quite shallow. All the corners will be the radius of the chosen cutter - correct this with a chizel, or leave as is if it suits the font. I once wrote this method up in more detail when it was published, inc. pics, by PBO (March '97 I think)

 

[damo]

Re: Making a new wooden \'name plate\'

I agree - hand-carved lettering if done well looks far superior. Machinery doesn't manage the angled corners and serifs.

 

[pcatterall]

Re: Making a new wooden \'name plate\'

Thanks all. I appreciate the offers to help ( for a fee) I personally think that this kind of 'advertising' is acceptable in our forum, only issue is just acking the thing up and posting.
I had considered using my router but find it difficult to control as I cant see where the tool is due to the obstructions around it. Its fine on an edge. perhaps I will test it?
Thanks for the info, I will consider and chase up the options.
Regards Peter.

 

[sailor211]

Re: Making a new wooden \'name plate\'

Should I add the original port or just the name


Was (is) she originally part1 Registered, if so leaving the port of registration would be nice

 

[snowleopard]

Re: Making a new wooden \'name plate\'

Maybe the best solution is to do the basic shape with a router then hand-carve the serifs. You can buy lettering templates for routing like [url-http://www.mtmc.co.uk/prodtype.asp?cookiecheck=yes&PT_ID=13743]these[/url] (scroll down), but a bit pricey for one job.

 

[DinghyMan]

Re: Making a new wooden \'name plate\'

Westfalia do a SignCrafter for £40 which will be easier to use than a plain Trend template.

 

[johnalison]

Re: Making a new wooden \'name plate\'

Having been dragged into the local woodcarving class for the last year, I can assure you that carving letters tidily is incredibly skilful and I should be good enough to do it for you in about twenty years' time. In the mean time I agree that getting a professional job will give you something to be proud of.

 

[david100952]

Re: Making a new wooden \'name plate\'

After 30+ years of woodwork and most in my own business I can advise you not to try and do it yourself. A nice peice of Teak is not cheap and could be easily ruined by a novice but more importantly freehand routering CAN BE extremely dangerous AND fingers are EVEN MORE EXPENSIVE THAN TEAK. Get it done by a proffesional and you will be brimming with pride without the risk. (By the way I'm retired and not touting for any business!)

 

[Clyde_Wanderer]

Re: Making a new wooden \'name plate\'

Lidle or aldi are doing a wood carving chisel set at the moment, saw them yesterday, cant remember price.

 

[tritonofnor]

Re: Making a new wooden \'name plate\'

I have had good results using a tapered cutter in a dremel to cut names, using the method described above.. print out on a4, use a pritt stick or similar to stick to face of wood, then cut through it.. practice will be needed but if it's not too difficult for a ham fisted git like me then I reckon anyone can manage it!