2×4 Shop Signage: Cheap & Effective!

2×4 shop signage is cheap, effective and incredibly easy to make at CNCROi.com, which is why used it in shop over just about any other material I have access to.

Shop signage doesn’t need to be expensive to be useful, in this case, the material was essentially free as I had some 2x4s laying around after doing some extensive renovations in my shop, so it was just laser time other than the resawing and planning of the shop.

This isn’t the first time I made something using 2x4s at CNCROi.com, I was trying to think of another very cost effective material and process to make name badges and this is what I came-up with.

2x4s are really underappreciated material, I really enjoy using this material for a a wide variety of projects beyond just construction.

The contrast created by our CNC laser is just charcoal, there isn’t any paint, dyes or inks which means nothing will fade, crack or peel over time.

Other applications where we’ve used our CNC laser for novelty items include beer bottle openers for which pine is a wonderful material yet again because it stains great.

At the end of the day, it really isn’t as much the cost of the material but the respect given using creative processes to make something unique, this signage could have been just as easily made using Walnut, Tulip or any other hardwood or softwood but for this application, 2x4s itself was overkill.

For the contrast that’s achievable on Pine, of which 2x4s are equally capable, it’s pretty unlimited given a good photograph.

This cottage has been done several times, it’s owned by my Uncle and although nothing will match being there, doing custom pyrography using CNCROi.com‘s CNC laser, the results are fantastic.

Another nice feature of Pine is that it’s very light weight, and works wonderfully with other materials, from other wood species to plastics.

Polycarbonate is bulletproof glass, it’s quite a contrast to the relative fragility of the Pine under it but as you see, using the best of both materials, something very unique can be easily achieved given the proper processes and equipment.

The fire you see in the images where the laser engraving and cutting is happening is quickly extinguished because CNCROi.com is dumping a lot of air downwards onto the area at the same time and sucking out any smoke or vapors out.

Pine can be used for other useful items, such as custom pen holders, which are also an item that’s great fun for me to make at CNCROi.com.

Regardless of the item, the contrast created by laser engraving Pine is easily legible regardless of font type or size.

The bright line you see more than the fire is the instant vaporisation of the wood as soon as the laser hits the surface, it’s also engraving into it while engraving into it as well.

Pine (including other species) can also be used to make simple items such as custom key holders of which I’ve already made two of them, one for the shop, another for my house.

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They are easily hung on the wall, using just a nail or screw, either through it or from behind it using a picture frame nail.

The different “shops” at CNCROi.com include the dust shop, laser shop, router shop, waterjet shop and plasma shop, it’s easier to divide-up my shop by machine over materials.

These 2×4 shop signs will work more than fine in my shop, the contrast is the wood itself, they are clearly legible and screw right into the drywall.

Another application which I’ve used Pine for was actually custom wooden stamps, again, not something you’d see too often but a wonderful application and material for that.

The flexibility of Pine, whether it’s 2×4 shop signage or stamps, pyrography or novelty items, is certainly something you should consider for CNCROi.com to use for your next project.

After engraving these custom 2×4 shop signage, it’s time to afterwards to add a little detail then cut it out of the 2x4s.

And don’t forget, Pine is also a wonderful material because it readily accepts paint too!

So no, you aren’t stuck with ONLY the contrast our CNC laser or CNC router though 3D carving but it can be readily painted in full or in part, across the surface of your item.

How does Pine, 2×4 or regular lumber or even pallet sources, compare to other natural materials such as leather?

Now you know!

If you are wondering the strength of these 2×4 shop signage is, well, if it’s strong enough to be used a self-defense tool, it’s wicked overkill for signs.

The thickness of this 2×4 shop signage is about a third of an inch, but it’s incredibly strong and meant that I was able to resaw the 2×4 in thirds and the resultant thickness is after planning and sanding at CNCROi.com.

In the photo below, you can see two versions of Pine signage, CNCROi.com is actually made from pallet wood Pine while the ones behind it are 2×4, the distinctive grain really makes these come out and the natural color variation found in the wood gives you a clue as to what’s possible.

If you are wondering how extreme pyrography and darkness can be achieved using a simple wood as readily available as Pine, check this video out.

… and if you are wondering how that CNCROi.com shop sign came about, check this video out.

The next step is pretty easy, contact CNCROi.com so we can make something for you as well, any shape, size or material!