Scrap Wood Sign

Since there is always scrap wood in our wood shop, I had to find something to do with it! So I decided to make little signs!

Since it is scrap wood, the pieces will need to be cut down to the same size to make it easier later! Once you have a size you like, arrange the wood in a way that you find most desirable. The size of the total rectangle featured here is 7.5" by 9".

Glue your arranged piece together with wood glue and clamps!

While the wood glue is drying, come up with your design. You can find really neat saying online by typing in quotes or by looking on Pintrest. We are going to choose our design and laser cut it onto the wood, so all we needed to do was save the image, turn it into vector lines in Adobe Illustrator, and take it into our local craft shop. If you do not know how to use Illustrator, ask the local craft store will get your laser cut file ready for you.

ALTERNATIVE OPTION: If you do not have access to a laser cutter, you can always paint your sign!

After the wood glue has dried, sand the wood to make it smooth. This is to ensure that the laser cutting will be even and smooth or if you decide to paint it the paint will go on smoothly.Then let the laser cutter do its thing! Let it start to burn your design into the wood!

Sand off the wood with low grit steel wool to get any residue from the laser cutter off of the wood. After you do this, blow it really good to get any of the steel wool off of the wood and seal it with a clear seal! Now all you have to do is enjoy your new sign or wrap it up as a gift for someone you love!