On 6/10/2013 5:19 PM, Nick wrote:
A very good friend of mine has a small 60yo sailing boat that she and her
brother have spent the last 4 years restoring. Pretty much completed now
except the frilly curtains. 26ft, I think. That's the length of the boat,
not the curtains.
She (Clare) wants to make a nameboard that will be fixed to the stern.
Lettering will be incised by hand.
Clare is a carver but has no experience of incised lettering.
I suggested a hardwood for durability and gave her some bits of oak, ash,
beech and elm to practice with. She is struggling as the timber is hard and
the process very contrary to her usual discipline.
This is going to live in a seawater environment 24/7. 6 months in/out.

Gave Clare a few bits of softwood to try and she is finding this easier to
work. I think the practice may be improving her technique. I still think
that if the finished article is to have any durability, it should be of
hardwood.

Any suggestions for timber and durable finish please.

Episode 307 of "Rough Cut - Woodworking with Tommy Mac" had a picture frame
with hand carved letters. It had tips on how to do the lettering. You might be
able to find it on you local PBS or Create TV station.

The wood that they used was mahogany.


Dan