Milescraft 1206 SignCrafter Signmaking template kit with TurnLock

by Milescraft

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

The Milescraft Model 1206 SignCrafter with TurnLock helps you create professional looking signs with your router. The adjustable clamping system allows you to rout signs from 4-inch to 12-inch in width and up to 36-inch in length. SignCrafter includes a TurnLock Base Plate that will fit most popular routers. With TurnLock as an integral feature on the Base Plate, bushing exchange is tool-free, hardware-free, and takes only seconds. The templates, 164 in total, come in two sizes (1.5-inch and 2.5-inch) and are self-spacing, so no measuring between characters is required. Two TurnLock Bushings (7/16-inch and 5/8-inch) and a 3/8-inch core box bit are provided.

Product Description

Make professional looking horizontal signs with the MILESCRAFT TurnLock SignCrafter. Ready-To-Use complete kit includes templates, clamps, template guide bushing and carbide-tipped router bit. Easy-To-Use self-spacing templates ensure consistent signs every time with no measuring.

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 2.5 x 7.5 x 18.5 inches ; 5 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 5.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B0006U66DO
• California residents: Click here for Proposition 65 warning.
• Item model number: 1206
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #14,554 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)
  • #12 in Home Improvement > Power & Hand Tools > Power Tool Accessories > Router Accessories > Templates

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good - as long as you have a lot of extra clamps, January 3, 2007

By 

B. Greenstone (Austin, TX USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Milescraft 1206 SignCrafter Signmaking template kit with TurnLock (Tools & Home Improvement)

I have been able to quickly and easily create several signs in the last few days since purchasing this. It does work quite well, but you've got to use a lot of extra clamps to keep the templates from moving. The little thumbscrews that are used to "clamp" the sign in place are really only good for setting the alignment of the template. They are way too loose and weak to keep the thing in place when a router is moving over it - not even close to holding it down. Plus, if you're using the full-length extension on it for wide signs, the center tends to flex back and forth due to another weak set of thumbscrews that barely hold the thing together.

So, what I do, is use a set of about 4 good clamps at various places along the template to keep the entire thing completely rigid and solid. As I move the router along I have to move clamps to keep them out of the way, but it's no big deal. That being said, there is another version of the SignCrafter template that I've seen sold online which has different end-brackets. It comes with brackets that are designed for clamps, and the kit even comes with low-profile clamps.

For the price, the SignCrafter is a great deal! The letter set is missing some things that I think should be included, but as best I can tell are not even available anywhere. Such things as punctuation (question marks, exclamation marks, etc., and other things that a signmaking kit should have like templates for arrows and other markers. I think I'll try fabricating my own templates to fit the kit by using a scrollsaw and some 1/8" plexiglass.

Oh, and you'll definitely want to use a 1/2" box core bit for the 2.5" letters. Anything smaller and the letters come out a bit thin looking. The kit comes with a smaller bit - I don't use it. Similarly, you'll want a 1/4" bit for the small letters.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Well designed, poorly executed - you get what you pay for..., June 3, 2008

By 

M. Potvin (SC PA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Milescraft 1206 SignCrafter Signmaking template kit with TurnLock (Tools & Home Improvement)

I was really excited about this kit, people seem to rave about it all over the place. I couldn't wait to carve the names of my kids into the sandbox seats.

Opening the box, I was astounded by the number of items and spares that were included. I easily created a full stack of letters, since my kids each have four letter names, I could put them both into the carrier and put in one extra letter to fill it out.

I have a Dewalt 618 and I used the plunge base for this task. The Signcraft base that is included with the kit is VERY thick, you may need longer screws to use it with your router. I had probably 2-3 threads holding the base in place with the screws that were included in my router kit.

Following the instructions, I was preparing for the final steps before powering up the router for the first time... Lining up the cutter depth. Got everything set to the correct depths, and was retracting the bit before turning it on. Crack. What was that? As the bit was retracing, it hooked on the letter and snapped the template. I'd suggest buying a straight bit as you need to be able to move the bit around the template and power off/raise after each letter. You only have 10mm or so distance to power it down without it sitting on your work surface spinning away. With a straight bit, you can use the plunge as designed.

Now, back to the letter box, good thing they give you so many letters, I had an extra capital L to replace the one that is now broken. Secure a piece of wood to practice on... Now mind you, no where in the instructions does it give you an idea of what speed to run your router. This is a small bit, so logic would tell you to crank up the speed. I very carefully now insert the router into the template, turn it up to 5 out of 6 and power it on. Instantly this melts the plastic template and runs the router away making a mess of the first try. Great. Now my second and last letter L has been trashed.

I went ahead with the name carving, it didn't turn out nearly as good as I had hoped. I had to run by hand in areas of the L since the template was melted from previously. I'm aware it would increase the cost, the templates really need to be made out of something less flimsy, and more resistant to heat.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars It'll drive you crazy!!, February 10, 2009

By 

Warren W. Wiley (Ottertail) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Milescraft 1206 SignCrafter Signmaking template kit with TurnLock (Tools & Home Improvement)

I've had this device laying around for a couple years. If you can spend some time literally re-building it you can muddle your way through some nice signs. You will quickly learn that the basic concept is excellent but it all went downhill from there. Flimsy plastic parts, wobbly aluminum rail, no reasonable way to clamp things (I end up SCREWING the whole thing to my bench) and you need six hands to do some of it. Somewhere out there there's gotta be a better way to do this. If this basic device was made with care and good materials, even if it cost more, it would be a nice little toy.