Yup another tombstone thread. :) Come see.

**Jess-o-Lantern** · 10-03-2009,12:06 PM

Will there be a future posting to this thread of your entire graveyard scene? =)

**Toymaker** · 10-03-2009,01:55 PM

Nice Job!
When you do the carving do you go through a paper template or mark right on the foam then carve it?

**skid_68** · 10-03-2009,07:30 PM

Yes I will definitely post pics of my setup when its set-up.

Toymaker - I have tried many different methods for carving. As always I start by printing out my epitaphs with the desired size, and font. For the ripper tombstone. I put 2" masking tape on the foam, covering the lettering area. I then taped the print out on top of that. I then cut the letters out with an exacto knife, and pulled the masking tape off each letter I cut out. Its very tedious, but for this method its a must. After that you just use the old spray paint melting method. It eats away the lettering where you cut the masking tape away. I also tried tracing the print out with a pen or pencil to transfer the lines to the foam. But I had a hard time seeing them without having to trace over them again with pen. Another method is just using your burner to trace on top of the print out, and slightly melt the foam below. If you are looking for sharp lettering. I suggest the masking tape and exacto knife method. When you router, or even melt the lettering away. It will usually stop at where the cut lines are. You still have to be careful. But it does help.

Thanks again for all the kind words everybody! On a side note I finished my fence today. I will post pics later.

**Terra** · 10-03-2009,08:37 PM

Those are amazing stones! The whole thing looks jaw-dropping: the design, carving, paint, epitaphs. I am just stunned at the quality of these. I can't wait to see them in your cemetery too. I like Uruk-Hai's method a lot too.

Edited to add: I didn't seal my stones after painting effects. My painting effects were using watered down exterior latex paint and some artists' acrylic. They still look great and no run off, so you should be good to go.

**johnshenry** · 10-03-2009,08:41 PM

Already said, but AMAZING work.. I only hope my Hotel sign comes out that nice.....

**Uruk-Hai** · 10-03-2009,09:10 PM

WOW! Super awesome! I wish my first attempts had turned out as great. Thanks for the kind words regarding my painting style - I sort of hit on what worked and haven't changed. I'd like to try diff. techniques as you have to give the cemetery some variety. I really want to try and emulate Terra's excellent work. Again, great job. Really looking forward to seeing them all set up.

PS you can NEVER have too many cracks!

**Mikon** · 10-03-2009,09:18 PM

Excellent!

**WickedBB70** · 10-03-2009,09:51 PM

Very nice job!! If these are your first tombstones, I can't wait to see what the ones to come will look like... They're just amazing!!

(I have to admit.... I'm a bit jealous... )