When running a custom wood CNC business, you have to think differently to make it a full-time job. In this video, I go through the process of prototyping a design that’s easily repeatable and cost effective.
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I received this comment and it's too good not to share here. This isn't my knowledge but someone elses. Hope it helps you too!
I have learned a few tricks that will help you with the struggles you encountered.
Spray paint is a poor choice for for lettering. Here is why: you seal the wood with shellac or some other spray based sealer. The solvents in spray paint dissolve this sealer which results in grain bleed. Solution: use a sealer coat and then a water based paint such as acrylic or latex. I dont mask and paint pretty slopppy because it will clean up in the drum sander. It is a little time consuming to paint by hand but if you can get a HVLP sprayer that will speed up your process for both sealing, paint, and staining.
Paint then drum sander. You learned your lesson here. This technique does work though and its what I do with my process. The way to not lose detail on your carve is to carve it like 0.020" deeper than your finished depth so that way you have material to be removed. Skip oramask all together and still retain your detail.
Have you tried to seal the wood with Shellac before painting. The paint will bond to the shellac in the recesses and won't bleed into the surface wood and then sanding will take it off as you desire. Should eliminate the masking.
One thing you might want to try if you do a sign like this again is while that blue protective film is on it, take a nice contrasting paint, pour a bit on it, then take like a bondo putty spreader, and just use that to fill in the lettering. Once it is mostly dry, then peel off that film. Too soon will cause paint smears and too late will just be difficult for the more detailed parts like the AF emblem you have there.
I have seen other people doing what you are doing try it and the results are pretty nice. Also provide a nice thick layering of paint for the letters that will not likely fade any time soon.
what was your depth for the letters with that vee bit?
If you seal the wood before putting through the CNC then paint the lettering with a water based paint I find you can just wipe the excess off with a damp cloth.
seal it, carve it, paint it, sand it, then stain it. 🙂
use a black marker for touch ups
Marsh stencil ink. Several colors available and will not bleed. Spray and sand off. Works great!
bad english alert! i think you must spray the clear paint on the entire board, then cover, machining and paint witch black. this avoid black marks on the outline of the machining
seal with clear before the painting. That should keep the black from bleeding so bad. Wish I had seen this before making my sons desk name block. I might have to do that over again. lol
Consider using keyhole hangers And inlay them flush on the backside.
Its actually nice to know that other people mask their cnc carvings and spray paint them. I thought was only one XD.
What cnc machine do you use in all these viseos????
use less viscous paint or get a stencil cap and some real LOOP or MTN paint. Thick artist quality paint wont bleed into the grain. Or seal the wood then start the process
What are you selling these for wholesale?
??
If you put a light coat of finish on your wood before painting it will prevent the bleeding of the paint.
So just creating a sign like these, what’s an average retail cost to the customer for this size and style sign?
You need CO or Fiber laser machine. It will be a lot easier and less human time consuming
Im thinking if you seal the wood prior and then use a water based product then the paint wont bleed. Untreated wood is like a sponge.
After all that….and all the advice comments…I need to buy a drink at Paxton’s! Cheers from Ontario
I’ve been doing CNC signs for for well over 10 years…I shellac the wood prior to masking with oramask 813…carve the sign then shellac carved areas. Paint with top of the line exterior latex paint. Remove the mask and clear coat with General Finishes exterior finish. Make sure to sand after 2 coats and apply 2 more coats…ON BOTH SIDES…equal coats on both sides prevents warping
If the process with masking tape is taking you a lot of time you can maybe apply a technique that i've been successfully using for this type of application. This is using a simple clear spray paint before applying the black paint. I think for series production this can be a lot faster. Clear spraypaint prevents the black paint from "bleeding" getting "drawn in" to the wood. So just process the board without preparing. Then clear coat, black coat and than the drum sander. After wich staining can be applied.
Use Marsh Ink in a spray can.. doesn't bleed, saves a step from having to seal before painting letters.
Really loved the way you put more thought into mass producing efficiently. I am not a woodworker by profession. I am just exploring the idea of getting a CNC router / 3D Printer / Laser engraver to give shape to some of my personal project ideas. Watching you channel gives me good tips and vibes. Much appreciated!
Make all your cuts 3+mm deeper and that way you shouldn't have to mask
Very nice video What do you call that roll of plastic that you use for masking & where can it be purchased
Good video, thanks for sharing. Here's a little tip I learned I thought I would share with you. When I carve letters, it's really important that the bit is really sharp. Dull tools lead to tear out. If you think about it, at zero point, the very bottom of the bit, the bit, no matter how many RPM's you are cutting at, is really not spinning. Another trick, it takes a little longer but the letters come out much cleaner. I do them in two passes. The first pass using conventional programming (running the tool in a counterclockwise direction while cutting) and then run the same thing but switch to climb (tool runs in a clockwise direction) programming. Really helps clean the letters out. Congrats on the success of your business, your passion shows. Take care.
HI. Ran across your video and you said you do everything with a 60 Degree V bit. Your supplies list shows a 45. Is it the 60 you go with? Thanks
I think your problem was mostly from your method of applying the masking by hand only. That should be firmly burnished down with a firm plastic squeegee made for that purpose. Then you can carve the sign. Blow iff dust then spray clear. When clear is dry spray your paint. Remove masking before paint is totally dry. You should have little to no clean up.