Lettering & Sign Carving Workbook: 10 Skill-Building Projects for Carving and Painting Custom Signs (Fox Chapel Publishing)

I highly recommend this book if you want to get started in carving but I'm only giving 3 stars for the following reasons.This book has great project patterns. The instructions and photos are top notch. Instructions are well written and detailed and easy to follow without being to wordy.But.... I was really disappointed when I realized how many carving chisles I would need to buy to do the projects.I bought this book first before purchasing any carving tools to see what I would need. I counted over 30 different carving tools which is extremely expensive if you get quality tools to invest in and keep.From the prices of decent carving tools I've looked at buying you would have to spend a few hundred dollars at least to get all the chisles listed.I feel the projects should have all used about 6 to 10 of the same size tools so a beginner could find a simple quality set of carving tools to start.The author does mention you can use smaller tools if you don't have some of the larger sizes but if you're a beginner you probably don't want to be left with trying to determine what to sustitute.If you don't have any carving tools already you will need to spend some time researching all the different sizes and what size tools you can afford to settle with.

I trimmed the woodworking library of all my sign making books as I transitioned from that line of work. I saw this book and wished I had had it 15 years ago. This is a great book for a beginner and has some interesting info for the experienced.

I am a carver/turner of wood. I am continually educating and re-educating myself in the art. Signage is probably my weak point, (of many...). This book is just a tad whimsical in style and that is fun. There is no feeling of stern, watching over your shoulder for any mistake. No beating over the head. This book encourages, what wood carving is all about...enjoying the craft and creating. I hope you saw the key word there; enjoying.The photos are clear and many. The text is understandable and easy to follow. The extra bonus, as far as I was concerned, was the painting pointers and directions.There is something here for all stages of carving developement; basic to professional. And did I mention the photos and text were outstanding for anyone to appreciate?If you are into carving...signage or not, PLEASE grab this book up. It is a real educational toot!

I consider myself to be a pretty competent woodworker and the craft of sign carving has intrigued me. At first glance this book seemed like it would be a decent way to learn some new skills and hopefully add a new dimension to my woodworking. My real issue with it is that it doesn't really help you. Sure it shows you how to make certain cuts and suggests some tools to use but for some reason I guess I expected there to be a little more hand holding through the process. To be fair I would actually give this book 3.5 stars as it sits and if there some suggestions on a basic tool set it would be a solid 4.5 or 5 IMHO. It does inspire though.

actual book is great, well written but front cover covered with some kind of greasey substance.

This is an awesome book with lots of great ideas for signs. It also does a really great job of showing you how to paint and blend your paint on the signs. Great information on the dremel and tools used with it to add details. As a new wood carver I would have liked more information about carving tools and what would be good to buy for someone without much experience like myself. Maybe a small section on what each chisel tool does and how to use and sharpen them. Overall this is a excellent book.

the most thorough and well-written, well-illustrated book on sign carving (and ONLY sign carving) that i have ever seen. truly inspiring (i've begun the first project). i have carved a pretty elaborate sign or two in the past, but this book tells me how i *should have* done it. worth twice the price.

Its okay but really light on lettering information, sign layout, design, etc. A more descriptive title would be "Letter Carving".

Great book and excellent projects, have a few more items to gather and then Sunday Carvery will have a different meaning and all thanks to Amazon.

Excellent

Haven't tried anything to make yet but looking through the book seems quite clear explanations.

Delivery was fast. This book is getting into the depth you would expect. It teaches you everything you should know about woodworking. The projects for learning to work with wood are outstanding. And it does not stop here. It teaches you how to finish your work, painting, layout and looking at the finished product. There is a lot more to learn than I expected, but I love that this book goes into the depth of things.

basic and interesting