How to carve a timber sign

Timber signs looks especially great in properties and décor with a laid-back vibe like beachfront homes and bush shacks.

To make a timber sign use a long piece of weathered 170 x 35mm board to carve a sign by hand or using a power chisel.

To finish, weatherproof the newly exposed timber with oil or varnish and hang it at eye level using rope.

TIP: Choose hardwood as it gives cleaner edges than softwood.

Step 1. Prepare the templates

Scale up and print the letters and decorative motifs then cut them out using a utility knife.

TIP: Use heavyweight paper of about 200gsm to make the templates easier to mark around

Step 2. Position the letters

Use double-sided tape to position the templates, marking around the letters with a coloured pencil or scoring with a utility knife.

Position the decorative motifs, marking around them on the timber using a small V shape chisel.

Step 3. Etch out the letters

Use a V shape chisel to cut along the centre of the letters, making several passes and going deeper each time until the letter is almost cut to width.

TIP: Have a sharpening stone handy to hone the chisels regularly

Timber signs looks especially great in properties and décor with a laid-back vibe like beachfront homes and bush shacks.

To make a timber sign use a long piece of weathered 170 x 35mm board to carve a sign by hand or using a power chisel.

To finish, weatherproof the newly exposed timber with oil or varnish and hang it at eye level using rope.

TIP: Choose hardwood as it gives cleaner edges than softwood.

Step 4. Define the edges

Use a flat chisel to work from the outside of the letters into the centre then refine the outline using a narrow chisel.

TIP: To cut clean edges, turn the chisel upside down so the bevelled edge faces up.

Step 1. Prepare the templates

Step 2. Position the letters

Step 3. Etch out the letters

Step 4. Define the edges

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