Customer Reviews

Sign Carving With Your Router

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This DVD is an awesome buy. Not only does it give clear, easy-to-follow instructions, but the techniques and skills taught are incredibly useful and ensure a really nice, professional-looking finished product. The visual detail is very clear thanks to the DVD quality, making it easy to see exactly how Jim Bartz carves his signs. I haven't seen these techniques anywhere else, and I've yet to carve a sign using a easier or more professional method. I certainly reccomend this to anyone of any skill level that is interested in learning how to carve a great sign that is easy to do and looks awesome. Buy this and you won't be dissapointed.

I ordered this hoping to get a comprehensive video on sign making. If you have never made any signs with a router, this is a good beginning. Portions are very tedious with you watching the author use his router with no voice over. This could have been shortened. It would have been nice to have more information on pattern making, paint selection, and working in various types of wood.

It is a good basic video that will get you started.

This style of sign carving is fantastic! The disc is well done, easily understood even by a novice woodworker. My contractor was here and watched it. He was impressed and is anxious to try this method. This is much better than your ordinary sign carving!

I really enjoy this DVD! It's fun to watch and puts you in mood to go in your workshop and get going. I like that you can actually see exactly how Jim Bartz makes relief carving. He could have spent more time covering engraved carving, but you will not be let down. Don't worry if you can't find specific software to make signs. I have been using windows power point and word pad to create fonts with ease. I find myself re-watching the dvd to learn more time and time again!

The video is great, he goes through everything you need to know, slowly and in a way that is easy to follow. It is however kind of corny, the scenery is beautiful, but the music is not too great, but that doesn't matter, overall, it's a very helpful video. Alot of other reviews I have read say that "he never tells you what program he's using on the pc". Actually he does say you can use whatever program you like, ms paint,etc, it's only important to remember that when you print out the sign, you need to select, TILE or Poster, so that the actual size prints out in different pictures. I'm envious of his shop, he has everything, what a life, make signs for a living, my dream. I recommend the video completely, all the info is presented in an easily digested manner, he does not rush anything. If your interested in creating a beautiful sign, he shows you everything you need to make it. Buy this DVD, there is nothing else out there like it. Thanks

The video is very vague on specific information. First: he uses the computer to print out the sign pattern on paper in order to trace the design on the sign. He never mentions what software he uses to accomplish this. Second: he talks about showing you a technique on how to avoid dropping off of the letters while carving them later on in the dvd, but never does. Third: he never tells what type of paint to use on the signs. He does talk about the stain but never tells what name brand he uses. Fourth: he says he is using his largest router bit to do part of the sign but never mentions what size that might be. Just very vague. I knew basically how to carve a sign with a router and thought this video would increase my knowledge but I was wrong. If you have never seen this type of sign being made the dvd is good but if you want details beyond the very basics I would look somewhere else. It reminded me of an episode of "How its made" on discovery channel. The subject is glossed over.

Frustrated with trying to find someone who could make a house sign for us, I finally decided to look into doing it myself. I bought a letter template kit and a "Pantograph Jig" for doing shapes, and finally this DVD. The DVD was ALL I needed! It steps you though the process of using your router free-hand, and it is surprisingly easy! I just finished my first sign (of the "engraved" vs "relief" type) and I actually did 2 because I want them to show the same on both sides.

With a little care and preparation, smooth hand, and some sort of computer to help with the template design (I used Microsoft Publisher), I turned out my sign(s) in a matter of a several hours each, which allows for designing, laying out, transferring, carving, sanding, sealing, painting, with mulitple coats and dry time on the sealers and paint. I am thrilled with my first results.

The soft spoken Jim Bartz provides perfectly clear instruction and leaves no detail out of his straight forward and easy to follow process. He also provides the music for the DVD which is punctuated with snowy scenes around his workshop. Just a nice video all around. I don't see the need for the lettering kit and pantograph that I purchased, but I will keep them just in case. This DVD and a good plunge router is all you need. By the way, for my signs, I used white oak from 12" wide board stock at the Home Depot and it worked just great for my 2-sided sign.

Just a great instructional video!

This dvd was well worth the purchase. I picked up a lot information and techniques in sign making. Great dvd.

Sign Carving with your router, it is a great CD and a excelent idea. I recomend.

This is an excellent source for the budding sign carver who just needs a little inside knowledge to get started. I built my own router base from 3/8" acrlic stock and went right to work. I couldn't get the drawing program to do what the video demonstrated but I found a way around that part and got the job done.