Hang your plywood sign on a decorative metal sign hanger.
Wooden signs are an attractive way to convey an important message. You can make your own signs using a specialty plywood that has cedar, redwood or fir facing designed for outdoor use in sign making. This wood will create a beautiful sign that will naturally resist rot and insects due to its natural properties. A plunge router and letter templates will allow you to make a professional looking sign with ease. You can paint the sign or clear coat it to allow the natural beauty of the wood to show through. The sign can be mounted using a metal sign mount.
Instructions
1. Place the plywood panel flat on a work surface. Unroll the edge banding along each side of the panel. Cut it to length using the edge banding trimmer.
2. Hold each length of edge banding aligned with the respective edges of the plywood panel. Run a flat iron over the surface in an even back and forth manner to adhere the edge banding to the plywood panel edges.
3. Trim the edges of the banding flush with the surface of the plywood panel by sliding the cutting edge of the banding trimmer along each edge.
4. Clamp the plywood panel to a work bench using bench clamps at each end. Lay the letter template over the plywood panel. Align it in the position where you want the wording located on the panel. Slide the letters into the template and lock them into place.
5. Place the router on a work surface. Adjust the plunge depth to the depth desired for the letters. A depth of 1/16 to 1/8-inch is appropriate for plywood signs. However, you can base the depth on your personal preference. Insert the v-groove bit into the router and tighten it in place.
6. Position the router over the template. Turn the router on and plunge the router bit into the wood. Guide the router along the edges of each letter in the template to rout the lettering into the sign. Once you have completed all of the routing, lift the router up to the start position and turn it off.
7. Sand the routed surface with a fine-grit sanding pad in the same direction as the wood grain. Wipe the surface off with a tack cloth to make sure it is free of dust.
8. Spray on two coats of clear lacquer. Allow at least four hours between coats. Wait 24 hours before mounting the sign on a sign hanger.
Tags: plywood panel, edge banding, along each, banding trimmer, each letter, each letter template
