Woodworking question

[clearerphish]

I want to carve a small trench or channel into a piece of plywood. I need to get intricate with it, but not ridiculously intricate - just my band name spelled out in a block type font. Trench needs to be about 2.5-3mm thick, less than that deep.

What do I need to rent/buy/borrow to achieve this besides a CNC machine?

 

[reinhold]

Well, it seems it would be quite easy using a router or a dremel tool with a router bit and base attachment.  Using one of those with a set of templates would probably give great results.  Just practice on scrap first and take very shallow passes.

 

[Alfang]

I have a CNC machine and would be happy to make you a sign, how big do you want it, and what do you want it to say?  I'm limited to 2' x 4'

although, the new machine will be 4' x 8'

 

[clearerphish]

I have a CNC machine and would be happy to make you a sign, how big do you want it, and what do you want it to say?  I'm limited to 2' x 4'

although, the new machine will be 4' x 8'

when are you getting the new one? I want a sign that's (just to be difficult) 5 feet long, 1.5 feet high. I just want it to say "GNOMONAUT" in a specific font (LeGrand) and I only want the letters outlined, not carved out. I am going to lay either electro-luminescent wire or LED's in the channel.

 

[clearerphish]

So I was thinking maybe, because there's not much wood being removed, this might be a very fast job for a pro. The issue is I have no idea who to call to even do something like this. I would guess CNC would be cheaper because routing would take someone a while. BUT I have never used a CNC machine so I could be way off. What do you guys think? And if CNC is the way to go here, what kind of business would I look up locally for a quote? I have no idea who to call or what to look under. Millwork? Carpentry? Signmaker?

:help:

 

[Dan025]

alfang may be able to do it in a two part process. he just needs some way to index it. one program can cut 5 letters or so and the another program can cut the other 4. as long as his machine has room for some over hang it can be done without too much trouble. 

 

[clearerphish]

alfang may be able to do it in a two part process. he just needs some way to index it. one program can cut 5 letters or so and the another program can cut the other 4. as long as his machine has room for some over hang it can be done without too much trouble. 

It is very nice for Alfang to offer, and I totally appreciate it, but I don't want to take advantage of his good will and shipping something like that would be a hassle and pricey, I'm just looking for some board with a flat face. I could even use MDF - it doesn't have to be super durable as I'll build a frame behind it with 1x1s or something. If it's gonna be cheaper than say 50 bucks locally I'd rather do it here, pretty sure some out of work crafty guy with a router would love to make 50 bucks off the books. I'd rather have CNC precision if I can afford it, but this is kind of a low dollar project. Trying to keep it under 200 bucks and the el wire and stuff's gonna be at least 125.