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Advice on Routing Material please?
Is there a material suitable for routing out letters for outside. Something that mimics MDF?? Not PVC or acrylic. I thought I saw a material at a sign show a few years ago. Something around 50mm thick.
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11 Replies
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sign rock, Sign Foam loads of names , It’s HDU. (High Density urethane)
Very expensive over here,
Used a lot in America, must be a lot cheaper to purchase over there.Ian
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quote Dave Rich:Is there a material suitable for routing out letters for outside. Something that mimics MDF?? Not PVC or acrylic. I thought I saw a material at a sign show a few years ago. Something around 50mm thick.Strange but true, I use a product called foam coat, which weather proofs all types of foam, made by Rosco, and it is not cheap, purchased in large tubs, 5 litres, approx £110.00 , but it goes a long way, after coating, i can be sanded down, which means any foam or board (mdf + plywood) can be water proofed for out door use. It is ideal for the type of thing you are looking to do, it is not so much the foam or wood , but the coating is the answer. regards
graham -
Hello Dave,
I’ve used HDU as Ian mentioned. I also use Corian, it’s used for countertops. I really like the Corian, just be careful because it can leave some very sharp edges.
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Hi dave as Ian said sign block is the material you looked at but it’s is expensive cuts great mainly used for 3d carving as it hold detail very well I have machined lots of it never for letters just to dear for that application stick to PVC as everyone else does but even that is getting quite dear now Mdf is cheap and they have a new type of Mdf which is waterproof it’s the best material I have seen I along time totally waterproof I placed it into a bucket if water for 4 months and it never sucked in a drop of water still perfect , that could be a good choice for you
Dave -
quote Nalu:Hello Dave,I’ve used HDU as Ian mentioned. I also use Corian, it’s used for countertops. I really like the Corian, just be careful because it can leave some very sharp edges.
same here, seldom use it but love it when i do. gives an excellent finish to whatever you are routing.
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Any recommendations for HDU suppliers here in the UK?
Thanks
J
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HDU comes in many different densities, the high density stuff is very expensive.
Cheaper HDU is used mostly for insulation, and doesnt have much structural strength for signs and will crumble very quickly.
The high density is strong enough to be used for furniture.
It has to be painted or it suffers under the UV light. It takes acrylic paint very well indeed.
It carves beautifully but the dust is horrible .
You can also get it in 2 component liquid form for casting. -
I could be wrong Jason but the only one i know of that "did" do it was Spandex and may have been called "SignRok"
in the past, years ago now, i used Signfoam 2 from Cherwell Sign Supplies.one of the best alternatives to sign foam and from what i have saw in the flesh, much better finish depending on density of course. is the stuff on offer from http://www.precisionboard.com they have a range of varying densities, sheet sizes etc and also primers and all the stuff required to work with it. video tutorials etc too.
I am sure that Kelly Miller (owner) told me they have an agent in Manchester but maybe give her a call and she will keep you right. very helpful person and knows her stuff. -
Hi
you could try these, its not cheap thoughhttps://www.theplasticshop.co.uk/buy-fo … nline.html
http://www.easycomposites.co.uk/#!/patt … block.html
Kev
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Hi Jason
Indasol now supply signblock http://www.indasol.co.uk/specialist-markets/signblock/ if you give them a call and speak to Andy i’m sure he will be able to help
John
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Thanks for the info guys and apologies for the late reply. We have bought a couple of X carves and I want to have a play.
J
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