 |
Sand Carved Wood Signs
The designs are created on a
computer and then cut out on thick rubber stencils which are
applied to the wood. The letters are then sand blasted out and
painted. Once dry, the rubber is removed and the timber recieves
a final processing and the edges are routered. At least three
coats of oil are then applied.
|
English oak
The English oak has a majesty all of its own. It has been used
for generations for building the strongest ships and adorning the finest
houses. It is a hard, heavy and durable hardwood which finishes well.
Although generally having a coarse staight grain, it can have wonderful
variations in grain, texture and colour and small pin knots and burrs are an
attractive and acceptable part of its appearance.
We use air dried oak which has been slowly dried and therefore is
less likely to warp and crack over the years. For larger signs we
also use quarter sawn oak for even greater stability.
We normally oil the signs although they can be varnished or even left
untreated on request. Just a rub over with Danish Oil about three
times a year will keep the oak young looking and make it last a very
long time.
However as the oak is so durable it can be left untreated and in a
sunny open situation it will usually mature into a silver grey colour.
This can not be guarenteed though and it does sometimes blacken.
It must be said though that unteated timber is also more likely to
form cracks and move, although some people feel this adds to its charm!
Once timber has been treated with oil or varnish it must be
constantly maintained, otherwise water will creep in. It becomes
trapped behind the coating and fungal activity causes the grain to
blacken.
Douglas fir
Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) is not a true fir
at all, nor a pine or spruce. It is a distinct species named after
Archibald Menzies, a Scottish physician and naturalist who first discovered
the tree on Vancouver Island in 1791, and David Douglas, the Scottish
botanist who later identified the tree in the Pacific Northwest in
1826. It is now North America's most plentiful softwood species.
It has a reddish brown to orange colour with a straight grian and is
characterized by exceptional strength, hardness and durability. It is
not only very tough but also water resistant, which makes it useful in
exposed situations where maintainence is difficult.
Iroko (Chlorophora
excelsa)
Iroko is similar to teak in appearance. It has a colour which
can vary from pale golden brown to dark
chocolate brown and medium to coarse texture with an interlocking grain
that often produces interesting patterns.
It is an extremely dense and stable timber which is naturally oily and therefore
highly durable and ideal for external signs. It is another timber which
can be left untreated. It is used widely for boat building, window frames as
well as cabinet work and furniture making.
Sapele - (Entandrophragma
cylindricum)
Pronounced Sa peel e, this species is another of the world's most
extraordinary hardwoods. Its rich, lustrous, and variable reddish-brown
color give it a mahogany-like appearance. However unlike most mahoganies,
Sapele has substantially less movement in service. It is also even
harder than oak. Should always be maintained with oil or varnish.
English Cherry
A lovely timber - rich brown and very high quality hardwood which
is often a difficult to obtain. It is close-grained and resists warping
and shrinking. It will redden when exposed to sunlight and darkens
and becomes richer with age. Should always be maintained with oil or
varnish.
Western Red Cedar ( Thuja Plicata )
Cedar renowned for its natural beauty and outstanding physical properties
that make it one of the world's most unique softwood species. 
This
exceptionally beautiful wood has natural coloring in mellow ambers,
reddish cinnamons and rich sienna browns. Its warm coloring is complimented
by a uniform, fine-grained texture with a satin lustre (Cedar color
and texture image from cedar species sheet or other suitable source).
Slow
growing and naturally durable, Western Red Cedar has one of the longest
lifespans of any North American softwood. The heartwood contains extractives
that are toxic to decay causing fungi. The two principal extractives
that are responsible for the decay resistance are Thujaplicans and water
soluble phenolics.
If left untreated it matures to a silver grey colour which is vary
attractive. It is surprisingly light weight making large signs easier
to handle. As it is a softer wood it it easier to sandblast and
very effective signs can be made by leaving the letters raised and
blasting away the backgrounds.
