Hand-Carved Workshop Sign – Name Your Domain

Article 86: Hand-Carved Workshop Sign – Name Your Domain

By: A Woodworker Who Carves in the Evenings When the Sawdust Settles

Carving a sign for your shop adds a personal, timeless touch—and teaches layout and lettering skills.

Materials

• Softwood board (pine, basswood): 1" × 6" × 24"

• Carbon paper or printer paper

• V-tool and gouges

• Finish: tung oil or polyurethane

Tools Needed

• Carving knife or V-tool set

• Mallet

• Sandpaper

• Pencil and ruler

• Clamp or carving bench

Steps

1. Design Your Sign

   • Use bold serif fonts. Sketch or print from your computer: e.g., “Mike’s Workshop”

2. Transfer the Design

   • Tape design to board. Use carbon paper to trace, or rub pencil on the back of the paper and retrace the front.

3. Carve the Letters

   • Start with shallow passes. V-tool for outlines, gouge for rounded curves. Work slowly.

4. Clean Up and Sand

   • Lightly sand edges. Avoid flattening letter depth.

5. Finish

   • Apply oil to highlight grain and depth of carving. Optional: burnish edges with a chisel.

Sketch – Basic V-Carve Cross Section

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   /   \    ← Letter form (V-carved)
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