Carved HDU

[Whit]

To begin,, lazy,, well,, plus other factors,,
I don't have my large compressor wired yet,, 3 yrs now,,
but that's another story,, anyway,, this would've been
sandblasted and done,, no comp,, no blasting,, so,,,
all hand carved,, like in the olden days,, but HDU foam
instead of that old wood stuff:crazy:,, this is still in
progress stages,, still some carving and paint to go,,,
this is a replacement sign for the city (Welcome To) that
was altered by a pick-up truck at about 60 mph,, so the story
goes,, took out the whole thing,, anyway,, here's the replacement
I'm in process of redoing,,, I'll post more as it gets further
along in the final stages !!!
Also a lil shot of what it's supposed to look like when done !!

[redanner]

Whit with everything you do you find time to be a Beaver/Woodpecker/Termite! Looks fabulous!:crazy:

[Jeroen - CDM]

Awsome work bro!!! Butehhh whazzz up with the ':crazy::crazy::crazy::crazy::crazy:'?? haha!
Everybody is using that smiley like crazy haha!

My favorite TOO! (sssstt...don't tell anyone! haha!)

[Whit]

hahahaha,,, with the easier ways to do this,, but not available,,
ya kinda feel :crazy: sittin out there with a mallet 'n chisel,,,
with my comp,, sandblast,, yer lookin at about a few days before
paint,, but with mallet 'n chisel,, here's a few hours work,,,
BTW,, here's where it's at now,, I've got about a week in it so far,,
and hopefully it's gettin closer to paint,, few more days,,
for some reason I remember this not takin quite so long tho,,,
now,, I take a break at the drop of a hat,, and I'm always droppin a hat !!!:laughing_rolling::nenner:

[JimmyG]

Hey Whit, that background texture looks some kinda SWEET !!!
The background texture in the logo is much different, looks sandblasted with coarse grit, sorta "pebbley"....Nice play on the 2 different textures....

[ABD]

Ineed Whit, makes me want to play with some of that foam board...Looks a nifty treat!!

How come ya haven't wired yer comp yet???..is it 220?....I wired mine up quick like, even passed inspection..Weeeeeeeee..LOL

great to watch how ya roll Whit, thanks for sharing!!!

[Whit]

That HDU foam is some fun stuff,, works like soft wood,,,
acts like a high-tech styrofoam cup,, thro it down,, and
it's there for years,,, finish with waterbase/oilbase/automotive
takes a likkin,, keeps on a tikkin,, the finer parts are easily
sanded with 80 grit P/B paper,,, I usually prime with
laquer surfacer primer,, this one goes red oxide and plan on
leaving the prime color for the background and coloring the rest,,
it gets a final of 2 stage automotive clear for lasting qualities,,
BTW,,, this is 2" thick,, 15lb signfoam (HDU) High Density Ureathane
in case the subject comes up,, for them techies out there !!
My comp is a 60 gal,, 7.5 horse,, 220.. only place I can wire
is from the dryer hook-up,, and I draw flack everytime the subject
is brought up,, my comp has been sitting there ever since we
closed the building and started working from the house,, and,,,
did I mention I'm "Semi" Retired,, that means I don't do a whole lot,,
but it all depends on who yer talkin to at the time !!!
I'll get it wired,, and build a shop to boot,, just watch,,
well,, don't hold yer breath,, just watch !!!
Used to do this stuff all tha time,, but I really don't remember
it being this much a hassle,, but then my comp was kikkin then !!!

[ABD]

I ran mine straight from the main box (of the house)....Then added another box in the shop (er carport)..LOL...1st and only time I ran 220, was a simple lil deal tho..


I'm looking into putting up a sign in the front lawn here.....gotta check with the town 1st....figured I'd get some pressure treated plywood and make it spiffy....This HDU stuff looks like it'd be cooler to whip up though..Pretty expensive, isn't it??

[Whit]

If you're going plywood,,, look into MDO (med density overlay)
it's what the state here use for interstate signage (big green things)
and the life on this ply is about 10 years,, good stuff,,,
the 4'x8'x2" sheet of this foam ran in the neighborhood of
$450,, so be sure you know that before ordering and get surprized
when it gets there,, but it's still good stuff,, just oil based
so the price reflects at the pump as well,, it's kinda like
the insulating foam in a rattlecan,, but done under pressure,,
easy to work,, long lasting !!!

[ABD]

Thanks for the tips Whit!...yeah that HDU is a lil outta my range, haha....I'm not getting to much into plans yet till I see what the town has to say..but it's on the burner and nice to ponder some vibes:D

I'll have to hit up you pros with ideas when/if I get that far...Eye catching, contrasting colors,..ahaaa, all that stuff is over my head..I'd paint something silly on it and call it sexy..LOL

Don't mean to jack yer thread, I'll keep it mello...hahaha!

[sharonsstudio]

Neat work whit.. make you miss your power tools when you don't have them..
post pics of the finishd

[Lilred_000]

This looks like sooooo much fun! I would love to give this a try.... Not on a $450 sized piece though! Sheeeeew! lol Sorry for the pm Whit, you can disregard it. You pretty much answered everything here. thanks.

Laura

[Whit]

Hit Google for HDU products,, Signfoam,, etc.,,,
lotta samples can be gotten,, small,, but fun !!!

[JimmyG]

That's right on the samples Whit...I have gotten samples sent as large as 2'x2'x1.5" in 15lb. & 18lb. density to try out.....
Let me know Dell if you wanna try that and I will send ya some info...Heck might even could send ya some scraps to play with.....
Also there are some sign suppliers out there that will sell ya just a 2'x4' piece.....

[KevinS]

Great looking work Whit!

I can also hook up folks with small samples of HDU to carve on. We use alot in my shop and always end up with leftovers.

[flyer615]

Whit! I just caught this thread. Man, that's some spiffy signage. I am a fan!

[JimmyG]

Great looking work Whit!

I can also hook up folks with small samples of HDU to carve on. We use alot in my shop and always end up with leftovers.

Hey Kevin....good to see ya here again.....I would enjoy to see ya putting some threads (and some of your dimensional work) in this signmaking forum.....

I know your fine airbrushing work and would sure enjoy to see some pictures of your dimensional cnc work.....I know ya got some pics to show...oh yeah....

[AndyW]

Looks great Whit, love the background texture.

[Whit]

TOOLS--------
Well,, just play like it's wood your playin with,,,
if it works on wood,, it'll work on the HDU as well,,
plus a few other lil gadgets,, like cheese graders,,
for them that are familiar with Paint/Body tools,,
oh,, BTW,,, body filler works great to repair those
lil places that you accidently SCREW UP:crazy:
also "Dremel" tools along with air "Diegrinders" are
great lil gadgets,, sandblast for large area removal,,
finish it off with a 60/80/100 grit sandpaper and prime,,
I usually use a "Surfacer" primer (laq) to fill the lil
stuff and use an oilbase (1-shot) enamel over that and
a 2 stage automotive clear over that,,, I've been told
waterbase works as well,, but I tend to be 'ol school,,,
and 'ol school is "oilbase" ('ol dogs,, new tricks thing)!!
A lot of carving/relieving can be done with sandpaper after
the basic shape you're after has been reached,, easily worked,,
well,, okay,, another book here,, I loose my place,, so,,,:whew:

[Whit]

The small knives are just smaller versions of the larger tools,,
seems I got these from Asel Art,, years'n years ago,, seems
I've seen these at Dick Blick's as well,, they're just wood
carving chisels (sharp lil buggers),, larger versions for mallet,,
smaller are palm knives (bulb handle) and versions of these can
be found in bargan bins in hardware stores and such all over,,
these work to play with,, but if you get serious,, need some quality
chisels'n knives,, good lil mallet as well,, that mallet gives ya tha feel
you need on those tight areas where a lil "tap tap" is needed !!
Chisels'n stuff to ruff in,,, sandpaper to smooth for finish !!
Lotta Fun,, works off a lotta tension as well (hahahaha)
Good Luck on it,,, Happy Chislin !!!

[JimmyG]

I should let Whit answer, but, the little bulb shaped handled tools are "engraving gouges".....Very good for fine detail....The "bulb" handle fits in the palm of the hand and the tool end is held between thumb and index finger.....Push to work.....
The other tools look to me like woodturning gouges and chizels, but I need Whit to confirm that....

[Whit]

Found this on Dick Blick,, simular to what I use on larger chisels,,,
if ya get serious,, would make a nice set for carving,, but
might be kinda pricey for play tools,, they've got the lil palm
knives here as well,, someplace,, I saw'm,,
anyway,, on this set the mallet is included,, with canvas pouch !!
http://www.dickblick.com/zz330/63/

[kruble]

That looks great. You got some great talent there bud.

[fortysomething]

Found this on Dick Blick,, simular to what I use on larger chisels,,,
if ya get serious,, would make a nice set for carving,, but
might be kinda pricey for play tools,, they've got the lil palm
knives here as well,, someplace,, I saw'm,,
anyway,, on this set the mallet is included,, with canvas pouch !!
http://www.dickblick.com/zz330/63/


That doesn't seem like too bad a price to me, but then most of my carving chisels cost between $25 and $50 each.

By the way, that is some good looking carvin' ya got goin' there Whit.

[JimmyG]

Here's a link on the palm carvers Whit......from Dick Blick as you mentioned....
http://www.dickblick.com/zz330/04/
Sweet hand tools for detail carving......
16372

I used the wrong term above when I said "engraving gouges".....and so I will cover my mistake.....
Same similar palm held tool, but the engraver's palm carvers have smaller tool points for really fine detail.....
http://www.imcclains.com/catalog/engravingtools/index.html
These are used for wood block, linoleum, and intaglio engraved printmaking, and also hand engraving in other metals......
16373

Sorry for the thread jack Whit.....it's been a few moons since I did woodblock and intaglio printmaking and I forgot the specific tool differences.....

[mob33]

Hey Whit!!
That looks incredible!
You are truly a master with the chisels my friend!
Our shop recently purchased a CNC Router and we love it!!
But we can not pull off those kinds of results yet...but with time I guess right?
Nice work again Whit, YOU DA MAN!!

[knucklehead]

Hey Whit, I thought that was what those CNC routers thingy's were for, or do they just take all the fun out of it? BTW, Lookin Good!

[mmccoy555]

Nice work! I love the embossed signwork. Did one a long time ago w/sandblaster. Painted it blue and used gold leaf lettering. Even though I like doing things old school must suck to have the tech. to do it and not have it set up yet. Great looking peice though.

[Drakesis]

Beautiful work Whit, just amazing~!

[Whit]

Hey,,, Welcome to the forums William !!!
Great seeing familiar faces !!!

[Paulwesley]

I am new here I paint dimensional sign at a wholesale shop and we use cnc routers to cut HDU .I must say I think your old school just has more life to it hand craving just always looks better great work.

[Whit]

Forgot to post finals on this,,,
here it sits,, painted,, the Red
behind it is my pick-up,, so don't
be confused,, nice pick-up tho,,,
airconditioning an everything !!!

[ABD]

Great show Whit...Was wondering about this the other day, but didn't want to bug ya..hahaha!...Thanks for the final fun!!....Whole lotta hand toolin in there:rockon:

Tiz a purty pick up too:D

[AndyW]

Same great work Whit, very nice indeed.

[XZOTIC INK]

OMG LONG PROCESS BUT OUTSTANDING JOB IN THE END,,,,DANG WHIT THATS SO AWESOME LOOKING,,,MAD PRO:animal-smiley-040:

[Full Blast]

Missed this somewhere along the lines..... I dig the final! WOW I think I like tha OL Skool way. The new version is awesome!

[Norm]

Thanks for posting the finished work.. missed this one too.. tedious work, but the results are phenomenal! Great job Whit!

[kruble]

Looking good Whit. I want to try that someday.