One of my clients has asked me to cut a 50' X 50' stencil to decorate center field at a football stadium. Cutting the stencil in parts on my CNC router is pretty straight forward but I am at a loss for a material that is sturdy enough to use for a stencil but at the same time doesn't cost the same as a good used car. Any recommendations for a material to make the stencil from are most welcome.
Thanks Guy
Added--- The stencil is to be used only one time to paint the "AstroTurf".
[ September 02, 2011, 11:43 PM: Message edited by: Guy H. J. Hilliard ]
Posted by Alicia B. Jennings (Member # 1272) on :
I thought cheap carpeting was used for that type of work? You know, that cheap type, flat carpet with rubber on the bottom. Usually comes in 12 ft rolls at HomeDepot or one of those carpet/flooring discount places.
Posted by Len Mort (Member # 7030) on :
Masonite, or wall paneling
Posted by Ian Stewart-Koster (Member # 3500) on :
1/4" PVC foam-in two half widths, taped together to hinge afterwards?
Carpet sounds feasible but messy on the router-it'd tangle with the rotating parts. It'd be OK if cut by hand with a stanley knife, if you have strong wrists.
Posted by bruce ward (Member # 1289) on :
luane paneling $12 per sheet you cant beat it. I made a 16x16 pattern for the local ice rink and it lasted 5 years now
Posted by goddinfla (Member # 1502) on :
coroplast is cheap
Posted by Tony Vickio (Member # 2265) on :
I agreed with the suggestions until I read the last sentence!
"Used one time"!!
I would make a pounce pattern on plastic, mark the field and paint (spray)it! Use a piece of coroplast (if not used to spraying a straight line) for the straight sections & on the curves, do small sections (using coro) then go back & fill to the desired arc.
OH! That's Larry Orr (Orr Signs) & Bob Timmerman (Sunshine Signs) holding up the truck!
Posted by Tony Vickio (Member # 2265) on :
Forgot!!!!!
The same apply to grass!!
Posted by Rick Sacks (Member # 379) on :
Tony, what are you using to make the enlarged holes in your patterns? I find your process brilliant.
Posted by Michael Gene Adkins (Member # 882) on :
Tony's process is not only "cheap", but transport of the pattern is a breeze. Definitely the way to go, especially on one time projects.
Posted by Tim Barrow (Member # 576) on :
Tony's process works well I feel certain we have both used the same patterns from time to time,they are stored in 55 gallon drums and shipped from track to track,.. but if you need stencils another option is coroplast,...it's very inexpensive it will last several seasons and any idiot can use it to paint the field markings with little or no effort with very good results. I layout the art work on the coroplast panels and then cut them out. Ant pieces that need to be held inplace like the center of letters such as a b d o p r etc can be held in place by a wire fed thru the holes in the flutes of the coroplast. I use heavy gutter nails to hold the stencils in place and they work especially well with field marking paint(cheap latex also) where you might need some tight detail to fine for the normal process used to mark grass.The coroplast will work well if the client demands a stencil type product, instead of a pattern.
Posted by Tony Vickio (Member # 2265) on :
Rick, I wish I could take credit for the idea but it has been around a long time. On large patterns, take a knife and cut as shown on drawing. place your cuts inside the letter so your paint will cover the layout marks. On smaller patterns I us a grommet punch, also inside the letter.
Tim, I'm sure we used the same patterns from time to time. We should start putting a piece of paper in the barrels and sign it as the pattern goes around! Might be an interesting history!!
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