Build idea

V-carved name sign

I made this Share a photo of your version.

a light maple sign with a V-carved dark leaf and a border groove concept — not a real build.

A poplar house or family name sign with V-carved, paint-filled lettering and a carved border. A hobby CNC router cuts it from a 1x8.

Rough size: About 12 in wide x 6 in tall x 3/4 in thick
Wood: Poplar 1x8

CNC: clamp the work, keep hands clear while it runs, and never leave it running; friction can start a fire. See laser and CNC shop safety.

Tools you might use

CNC router
V-bit
CNC end mill
Miter saw

CNC router
CAM software
90° V-bit, 1/2" diameter
1/4" flat end mill
Collet wrenches
Blue painter's tape and medium CA glue with activator, or low-profile clamps
Miter saw, or a circular saw
Calipers or a ruler
Plastic squeegee or old card
Small foam brush or stencil brush

Right tool for the job: Which V-bit should you use for CNC signs: 60° or 90°? · Which CNC router bits should you buy first? · What free software do you need to run a hobby CNC router?

Need a circular saw? See our circular saw picks.

Need a miter saw? See our miter saw picks.

Key techniques

Diagram of the finished V-carved name sign. Front view: a poplar sign 12 inches wide and 6 inches tall with 3/4-inch corner radii, a 1/8-inch carved border 3/8 inch in from the edge, a small diamond at each end, and the example text THE OAKS over EST. 2026 carved in a slab-serif font and filled with dark paint. Below it, the bottom edge shows the sign is 3/4 inch thick. — Diagram of the finished piece. Sizes are approximate, not a tested plan. Reader build photos welcome.

All build ideas