Speaking from Experience: Swingin'

WELCOME!

It is hard to believe that it was almost ten years ago I witnessed a CNC router in action for the very first time. I was fascinated and simply had to have one! Although I had been in the creative end of the three dimensional sign business for most of my life I didn't really know what I would do with one of these machines - but I just knew it could do fantastic stuff.

Along with the CNC router I discovered the wonderful material called Precision Board and the glues, primers and other companion products they offer. Since then we have gone through many tons of the material using it in most signs and projects we tackle. This journal will chronicle our many adventures both past, present and future. I'll talk from the perspective of someone who pushes these products to the creative limit on a daily basis. I'll be adding to the stories two or three times each week. -dan

Friday, January 3, 2014

Swingin'

I built the file and routed the Wave Swinger sign about a month ago but business with other projects has kept it waiting - until today. The sign was originally designed to be viewed from the front. But things change so we had to get a little creative to make it hang as a blade sign instead.

We started with a welded armature, a few simple 1/4" thick steel rods. These were carefully bent and positioned, then welded up. I had the basic shape which defined the shape and pose of the figure in a couple of minutes.

Then I used Abracadabra Sculpting epoxy to hand form the shape of the figure. I layered sculpting epoxy and crumpled tinfoil to build up the bulk of the figure.

Once I had the basic shape I wanted I then started in on the detail. This is the fastest layer and after four hours in total working on the figure the basic shape was done and the top half of the figure was fully detailed.

By noon on Monday this little guy should be pretty much complete and ready for paint. Stay tuned for the next report on the progress...

-dan