Thread: what do you guys use?

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Hey, I was just wondering what you guys use to write ephitas (?). Stencils, freehand, or what?
Thanks,
Austin.

I use Freehand, print them out tiled. I tape them together with scotch tape. The I cover the styrofoam with wide masking tape and spray glue the paper to the tape. I use an exacto knife to carve around the letters and then "pluck" out the styrofoam around the letters. This creates a 1/2" deep roughened depression around the letter. The letters are obviously raised. Reverse the process for carved out letters.
After carving peel off the paper and tape and brush on several coats of Sculpt or Coat.

is Frehand a program, or like freehand as in you do it yourself like handwriting.

I print out my epitaph on paper (either standard, legal or larger, depending). I create them in Photoshop, but any Word program would do. I download interesting fonts from places like www.halloweenfonts.com to add some style.

I use straight pins to secure it to the tombstone in about 6-8 places. I used to use spray glue, but it was too hard to clean up

I added this new step this year... it adds time to setup, but makes the carving oh so fast. I take an engraver and trace the printout like you would a pumpkin stencil. I then remove the paper and i've got a perfect transposition on the tombstone. (Previously, I would just cut right thru the paper) Why the engraver? I can hold it like a pen, and trace as fast as I can move my hand. Any mistakes are no big deal, it's just making an indention.

I use a dremel with a router stand attachment and cutter blades depending on the width I need. The router stand gives a consistent depth and even if you take your hands off, nothing bad happens. It is steady enough you don't make mistakes easily.

Has anyone ever tried using the transfer paper that tole painter's use to trace patterns? You just slip it behind your pattern and trace with a pencil or stylus. The transfer paper comes in several colors and any residue wipes off with water if you need to take it off. Sewing transfer paper works the same way but it is not always water soluble. Wilbret, thank you for sharing your dremel trick. That will work perfectly for me!

I use Printshop and print them out, tape or pin the paper to the tombstone, and then just dremel them out right throught the paper. Very quick, but kind of messy.

I use stencels .. but my mine are crappy wood toumbstones ,theres alot more talented people here that can tell you how to.. but heres a vid.. thats pretty cool, might give you ideas [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=No-RGC20B_0"]YouTube - How-To make Tombstones for Halloween[/ame]

Austin ..I make all my letters with hot glue and glue them on..I cant post pics yet (I am new) but wil later if you want to see any .

I like alot of people print them out of word using downloaded fonts. Then straight pin them to the "stone" and cut them out using either a dremel with a router base or exacto knife, depending on the sixe of the lettering.

I saw the letters made out of hot glue and they looked really cool, I have been dying to try it.

sorry "size"