I just got one of those small hand held routers. I want to make signs. I’ve been watching YouTube videos and reading about routers, but I’m still no closer to knowing what router bit to buy. What router bit do I need to make signs?

Your thread title is too vague. PLEASE be more specific in your thread title.

Making signs can use a variety of router bits. Not just one type.

quote:

Originally posted by arcwelder76:
Your thread title is too vague. PLEASE be more specific in your thread title.

Making signs can use a variety of router bits. Not just one type.

I just Googled routed wood signs and came up with tons of photos, so I see your point. I know nothing about routers. I’m starting from scratch and only plan on making very simple signs for now. Here is one that is about what I’m thinking.

For sign making, you'll want a plunge router. Bits are a multitude.

Thank you. Much appreciated. I’ve read that those cheaper router bit sets are something to stay away from and buying one good quality bit at a time as you need them is the way to go, so taking that advice, I know absolutely nothing about manufactures of good quality router bits. Who are some of the better router bit manufactures?

I did a quick search for plunge router bits and came up with the following link.

https://www.rockler.com/rockle...er-bits-1-4-in-shank

Looking at the center 3/8 diameter one. Thoughts?

By the way, I will check out what the local lumber yard has before I order anything.

That one will be fine for that Sauna sign. Don’t bother the lumberyard. Find cutoffs at Lowe’s or Home Depot and practice cheaply. It will be harder than it looks.

Something like this would be helpful:
https://www.amazon.com/Making-...ielman/dp/1402705697

I don’t even have a clue as to where the nearest Home Depot or Lowes is, but it’s at least a 3 hour drive to either one and I have never even been in either one. Local lumber yard is the best option around here.

Buy once Cry once. Good advice when buying tools. I do not expect this to be easy at all.

Good advice, especially from SigJacket. Get a bunch of scrap and practice. You'll have to learn to control the router which will seem to have a mind of its own because of the torque. Eye protection (and possibly hearing protection) is essential.

This is what you need to make signs




and these

https://www.amanatool.com/prod...ing-router-bits.html

Makes this



Ok I'm a smart ass

hand held routers use a v carve bit or flute bit but like others have said get soft lumber like pine, first time set the bit shallow as it going to want to take off on you, it's like writing for the first time your going to have to learn how to control the router by trial and error. how many signs do you want to make ?

You dont need a plunge router just tip it up on it's edge and let it into the material I/m a cabinetmaker of 32 years BTW

If you want to make good-looking signs like the one in the photo, it helps to use a template and a router bit guide.
Here are some from Rockler that would work great for you. Rockler is a terrific source for woodworkers.

Rockler: Templates and Guides for Routing Signs

And here's a very nice compact router you can use with one hand, and includes both a fixed and plunge base. Also available by mail order from Rockler:

DeWalt Compact router

Very good quality bits are made by Amana. The Sauna sign looks to have a rounded bottom bit. Sometimes called a core box bit I think. Other often used are “V” bits. Some are 90* bits, some 45*, All the way down to 15* bits.

I have had success by sketching out the letters on the piece of wood and clamping a straight edge for the router to follow for all the straight cuts. Then come back and “freehand” all the curves. It’s the freehand part that can get sloppy. You can use a finer bit (30*?) and work on smaller samples of your letters to get a feel for how the router pulls.

Definitely have board well clamped, router held tight and a light/shallow cut set in the machine. Plan on making some firewood out of your samples for a while.

quote:

Originally posted by SigJacket:
That one will be fine for that Sauna sign. Don’t bother the lumberyard. Find cutoffs at Lowe’s or Home Depot and practice cheaply. It will be harder than it looks.

Something like this would be helpful:
https://www.amazon.com/Making-...ielman/dp/1402705697

If his idea is to free hand those signs, he better plan on a LOT of practice, and a few throw aways, too. Without some of those router templates it is pretty difficult to follow lines drawn on the wood.

I do not think this will be easy. I’ll do very shallow cuts to start with. As far as wood goes, my neighbor owns a cedar mill and I have access to more cedar scraps than a guy could wish for. He has a mountain of scrap.

For those interested, this is the router I bought. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E...6_t1_B00O90XDOC?th=1 Shipping was so fast, I did not do the research for a router bit until after I received the router. It is bigger and heavier than I was expecting.

For what it’s worth, I went to the local lumber yard today to look at router bits. Freud is the brand they have and they had the bit I wanted, but they were having some sort of event, the bits were locked up and the store was so crowded I couldn’t find anyone to help me, so I’ll go back tomorrow and pick it up. I think it was $21 to $24. I forget. I saw Freud bits on the Rockler site. I’m guessing that both of these brands are good ones? The Amana bits noted.

Here is what they had at the lumber yard. https://www.doitbest.com/products/383333

3/8 bit is a bit on the large size. I would go with 1/4.

Freud bits are top notch and normally what I buy. but for what you are doing so are amana. I can say from personal experience the idea of doing shallow cuts and repeating them is not very effective. Practice to make sure you are ok with the depth you want and then you get one shot. But of course templates are the way to go...

Freud s a fine bit. It’ll be great. And that’s probably a fine router.

My experience with cedar is that the grain may give you fits. Might have been more the piece I was working with. But free scrap, who cares? Try some pine, then I like poplar as next step up to practice. Wear a mask... it makes fine dust.

I looked at those Freud router bits this morning, and had second thoughts. They had a 3/16 and a 1/4 and they both looked huge for what I want to do, so I came home to do a little more research and decided to go look at the router that was my fathers. I used it a couple of times around 1988 just after he passed away for some house projects and have not touched it since. I wanted something smaller for doing signs, hence the new router. For the heck of it, I looked at the 4 bits that were with the router and found a 1/4" straight bit and decided to use it to experiment with. The bit is probably 30 years old and made by Craftsman. I made shallow cuts and it was easier to control that I expected, but my results are still crude. The biggest problem was not having enough light to see what I was doing, so I had to hold onto a flashlight with my free hand.

The size of this straight bit is just right for what I want to do and the 3/16" bit I looked at this morning looked to be twice the size of this 1/4" bit. Don’t understand that.

In the photo below are my first attempts at lettering. All I did was freehand letters on the wood with a pencil. Close enough for a first test. 1 was first attempt, 2 was second attempt and 3 was my third attempt. 1 & 2 are on cedar and 3 is fir. Constructive criticism welcome. Photo is not posting for some reason. Maybe it will later on?? My other photo I posted in this thread isn't posting either. I've never had any problems posting photos here before. Is the forum having problems?