walshie Posted August 4, 2020 Report Share Posted August 4, 2020 I'm thinking about making a simple name sign on a post for our house, similar to this: I've got someone in mind to make the double sided house name that hangs down, but here is the not-so-simple part: On the top part of the cross bar, I want the silhouette of a photo I have. This one. (My dog's Grandmother and Mother) I would need someone to turn the photo into a silhouette, scale it according to the size of the post bar, cut it out of sheet metal, then weld it to a flat piece of metal so I can mount it on the top side of the bar. Does anyone know of someone capable of doing all this or would I need to go to 2 companies, one for the artwork and scaling and one for the fabrication? Any suggestions much appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spandit Posted August 4, 2020 Report Share Posted August 4, 2020 You could edit the picture yourself to get the silhouette then use something like Inkscape to turn it into an SVG. You should then be able to send this to a metal cutting company. They might have welding capabilities too - not a complicated piece of work. Then get it powdercoated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walker570 Posted August 4, 2020 Report Share Posted August 4, 2020 (edited) Beat me to it. In addition, why not have the name and the outline cut into the same piece of metal. Pity your up where you are as I have a compnay close by to me who would make a nice job of that. Pretty simple job for the right company. 6 minutes ago, spandit said: You could edit the picture yourself to get the silhouette then use something like Inkscape to turn it into an SVG. You should then be able to send this to a metal cutting company. They might have welding capabilities too - not a complicated piece of work. Then get it powdercoated Edited August 4, 2020 by Walker570 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snow white Posted August 4, 2020 Report Share Posted August 4, 2020 You want somebody with a plasma cutter to do the job Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spandit Posted August 4, 2020 Report Share Posted August 4, 2020 2 minutes ago, snow white said: You want somebody with a plasma cutter to do the job Or a waterjet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walshie Posted August 4, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 4, 2020 34 minutes ago, spandit said: You could edit the picture yourself to get the silhouette then use something like Inkscape to turn it into an SVG. You should then be able to send this to a metal cutting company. They might have welding capabilities too - not a complicated piece of work. Then get it powdercoated If only I knew how to edit the pictures and what linkscape and SVG are, I'd be laughing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Demonic69 Posted August 4, 2020 Report Share Posted August 4, 2020 I'm trying to get the picture edited for you, but I appear to have broken my software. Bear with me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amateur Posted August 4, 2020 Report Share Posted August 4, 2020 Naah! Sketch it on a sheet of 2mm stainless, drill out a few holes, then use a fretsaw and files to finish it off. It should only take you about a month 😂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walshie Posted August 4, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 4, 2020 4 minutes ago, Demonic69 said: I'm trying to get the picture edited for you, but I appear to have broken my software. Bear with me Nice one. Don't put yourself out though. I'm in no rush. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Demonic69 Posted August 4, 2020 Report Share Posted August 4, 2020 Just now, walshie said: Nice one. Don't put yourself out though. I'm in no rush. Thanks. No worries, I need to get it fixed anyways or my laser cutter will sit dormant Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martinj Posted August 4, 2020 Report Share Posted August 4, 2020 not sure it will look the way you expect, just a very quick outline: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walshie Posted August 4, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 4, 2020 12 minutes ago, martinj said: not sure it will look the way you expect, just a very quick outline: Yes. That's the kind of thing. Maybe with a little more detail, but that's sort of what I was hoping for. 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martinj Posted August 4, 2020 Report Share Posted August 4, 2020 (edited) How can you get more detail in a silhouette? the above is what the laser/plasma cutter will give you Edited August 4, 2020 by martinj Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walker570 Posted August 4, 2020 Report Share Posted August 4, 2020 Can I suggest getting a shot of the two dogs standing which will show more of the body. As it is...in my opinion...as a person driving bye I will not have a clue what is on the sign. Sory to deflate your ballon but it is the occasional pasing motorist who needs to know what is there. The experts on here may prove me wrong but the entire sign name etc etc could be cut from a single sheet of 3/16 or 1/4 plate and powder coated. Even the dogs could be included in the outline of the plate rather than stuck on top. Just trying to help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave-G Posted August 4, 2020 Report Share Posted August 4, 2020 (edited) Please don't take this the wrong way but I don't think a plain silhouette is going to work as you hoped: My very first thought on that outline photo was a guy with a broken nose doing a BLM fist up salute. It would need a lot of detail cutting to make it show two dogs IMO. Edited August 4, 2020 by Dave-G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walshie Posted August 4, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 4, 2020 1 hour ago, martinj said: How can you get more detail in a silhouette? the above is what the laser/plasma cutter will give you I wasn't being rude. I just meant with the shape of the ears showing, the heads not being square etc. Maybe a bit of poetic licence in moving the dogs apart a bit. Anyone who knows ridgebacks, will "get" the iconic look of a pair laying together. 14 minutes ago, Walker570 said: Can I suggest getting a shot of the two dogs standing which will show more of the body. As it is...in my opinion...as a person driving bye I will not have a clue what is on the sign. Sory to deflate your ballon but it is the occasional pasing motorist who needs to know what is there. The experts on here may prove me wrong but the entire sign name etc etc could be cut from a single sheet of 3/16 or 1/4 plate and powder coated. Even the dogs could be included in the outline of the plate rather than stuck on top. Just trying to help. They aren't my dogs, so I can't do that, but you're right. I should maybe find a better picture. I think I'll stick with the dogs above the crossbar and the sign hanging under it though. Maybe not. Things are different when you see them in black and white. Or black in this case. 1 minute ago, Dave-G said: Please don't take this the wrong way but I don't think a plain silhouette is going to work as you hoped: My very first thought on that outline photo was a guy with a broken nose BLM doing a fist up salute. It would need a lot of detail cutting to make it show two dogs IMO. Possibly not, which is why I was knocking the idea about before going ahead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enfieldspares Posted August 4, 2020 Report Share Posted August 4, 2020 Drill eye holes, maybe make a slot to show the outline of the ear at the front? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peck Posted August 4, 2020 Report Share Posted August 4, 2020 This chap will do it for you. Check the video at 19-25, he has a plasma cutter and does loads of cutting with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walshie Posted August 4, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 4, 2020 3 hours ago, enfieldspares said: Drill eye holes, maybe make a slot to show the outline of the ear at the front? 👍 Great idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enfieldspares Posted August 4, 2020 Report Share Posted August 4, 2020 (edited) See below.... Edited August 4, 2020 by enfieldspares Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enfieldspares Posted August 4, 2020 Report Share Posted August 4, 2020 (edited) 16 minutes ago, walshie said: 👍 Great idea. This is the sort of thing I meant by drilling the eyes and "slotting" to make the ears show. The white being obviously where you'd remove the metal. I think the "slotted and drilled" dog on the right doesn't look too bad at all. Obviously you'd take the actual places to drill and slot from an overlay traced with tracing paper from the original picture the same size as the silhouette sign. Hope it helps? Edited August 4, 2020 by enfieldspares Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob85 Posted August 4, 2020 Report Share Posted August 4, 2020 8 hours ago, amateur said: Naah! Sketch it on a sheet of 2mm stainless, drill out a few holes, then use a fretsaw and files to finish it off. It should only take you about a month 😂 Reminds me of my apprenticeship. Bench/tool fitting and the sheetmetal working components of our training, we were forbidden from using machinery until we could do everything with hand tools first. "Chain drilling" hand filing and cold chisel were the order of the day! After a few weeks I could have sanded furniture with my bare hands they were that rough Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moondoggy Posted August 4, 2020 Report Share Posted August 4, 2020 41 minutes ago, enfieldspares said: This is the sort of thing I meant by drilling the eyes and "slotting" to make the ears show. The white being obviously where you'd remove the metal. I think the "slotted and drilled" dog on the right doesn't look too bad at all. Obviously you'd take the actual places to drill and slot from an overlay traced with tracing paper from the original picture the same size as the silhouette sign. Hope it helps? The omen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted August 4, 2020 Report Share Posted August 4, 2020 however you do it....sandblast it and get it anodized...then have it sprayed up...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enfieldspares Posted August 4, 2020 Report Share Posted August 4, 2020 18 minutes ago, moondoggy said: The omen Or "Boys from Brazil". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.