Advice on essentials for starting out to make wooden plaques/decor

[ROSEBUD]

Hi,

Was wondering if anyone could offer some advice as to what I really need in order to make some good quality wooden plaques. I am hoping to set up an online shop so want to be able to cut various shapes and make sure the finish is of good quality.

Can anyone reccommend a machine to do this? (I'm on a tight budget!)

After decorating the plaque, is matt varnish better than watered down PVA with regards to finish?

As you can see I'm just starting out and would value any advice regarding the basics of creating the plaques.

Any advice will be appreciated!

Thanks

Rosebud

[Nader]

Hi,

if youre interested in getting some wooden plaques i can make some some. They are natural slices of wood, so they still have the bark around the edge, which gives them a lot of character. They can be made in any size from 4inches up to 18 inches in length.

pm me if youre interetsed,

regards,
Nader

[Moonbeam Angel]

Funny I should click on this thread as I was going to ask if anyone had any slices of wood with bark round the edge as I was thinking about mosaicing onto them. Hope you don't mind Nader but I have pm's you about this

[Nader]

No problem Moonbeam, i have replied to your message.
Thanks,
Nader

[shiner]

Axminster tools have a reasonable priced electric fretsaw http://www.axminster.co.uk/category-...des-207909.htm or for bigger the band saws http://www.axminster.co.uk/category-Bandsaws-207975.htm

As for coating with pva, it's a no no, if pva the coating gets damp it goes milky. you can pick up some reasonably good varnish for a couple of £

I recomend a belt sander if you intend having a clear finish orbital sanders leave marks that show up like crazy as soon as the varnish goes on

[Moonbeam Angel]

Axminster tools have a reasonable priced electric fretsaw http://www.axminster.co.uk/category-...des-207909.htm or for bigger the band saws http://www.axminster.co.uk/category-Bandsaws-207975.htm

As for coating with pva, it's a no no, if pva the coating gets damp it goes milky. you can pick up some reasonably good varnish for a couple of £

I recomend a belt sander if you intend having a clear finish orbital sanders leave marks that show up like crazy as soon as the varnish goes on

and pva goes sticky when damp!!!! definitely a no no for wood.

[Scorch]

If you're thinking of cutting & selling the plaques to crafters as they are, lots of people (like pyrographers!) want them unfinished, BTW.

If you're selling craftwork you've made ON the plaques, you might find that you can buy them cheaper than cutting them, in some cases. There's several suppliers here on the forum, Makit are very good, and the Jigsaw Workshop also sell beech plaques at a very good price...