Replies

1. 
   WoodLess | Oct 20, 2009 06:42pm | #1

   I have undertaken a similar project for my granddaughter. I was not trying to make a complete alphabet set, only her name. Instead of using sign making templates I simply went online searched on "fonts" found one that was to my liking and downloaded it so I could use MS Word to spell out the letters I needed. I then used the printed letters as templates to trace onto the wood blocks and I fashioned the letters using a combination of power tools and carving. I haven't quite finished yet but I'm getting close. Attached (I hope) are two SketchUp files of the letters "A" and "R" of blocks I'm making. I'm sure you could find Hebrew fonts online and then download them. I haven't looked but MS might even have a Hebrew font set.

   Chuck

2. 
   davcefai | Oct 20, 2009 07:42pm | #2

   There are a lot of free downloadable Hebrew fonts. Just google for them.

   One possibility is to use Trend's Router Sketch (not sure what the exact name is) but I think you will need to have quite a steady hand to achieve good results. I haven't got one (yet) but was eyeing it on Monday).

1. 
   woodworker52 | Oct 21, 2009 05:40am | #3

   thanks all but I really want a template that I can use the router on. I appreciate your suggestions but freehand doing letters doesn't appeal to me.

   Edited 10/20/2009 10:41 pm ET by woodworker52

1. 
   roninfante2 | Oct 21, 2009 05:04pm | #4

   Have you tried to find a woodworking supply house in Israel?  You may be able to find Latin and Hebrew templates of matching sizes.  That being said, my experience with such lettering templates is that they tend to be too large for child sized blocks.  I wish you luck; if you get them made your great-grandchildren will be playing with them.

   Ron

1. 
   woodworker52 | Oct 22, 2009 12:14am | #6

   what a great idea. I will do that. Thanks.

2. 
   ring | Oct 22, 2009 08:22am | #8

   A few years back I did small sets of blocks for my grandchildren, each set a different wood species with a different language. In addition to English, I did Hebrew, Sanscrit, Chinese, and Tibetan. I just carved the letters by hand which I find quite enjoyable.I've been in Israel for quite a long time and I don't know of any supplier that would carry the templates you are looking for. But I'll do a Google search in Hebrew for you and let you know if it turns up anything.David Ring

   http://www.touchwood.co.il/?lang=e&id=1

1. 
   ring | Oct 22, 2009 09:08pm | #10

   As promised I checked through Google in Hebrew but didn't come up with much. There's templates for Hebrew sign making, but the smallest letters are 50mm (2") high.
   David Ring

   http://www.touchwood.co.il/?lang=e&id=1

1. 
   woodworker52 | Oct 23, 2009 12:08am | #11

   David,thanks for the reply. Can you give me the link to the templates for Hebrew sign making. That would be awesome and greatly appreciated.Maybe through those web sites I can get what I need. Or maybe I will change my mind and make big blocks and use the 2" hebrew letters.

2. 
   ring | Oct 23, 2009 08:02am | #13

   Here's a link to the letter templates that I found, although I doubt that they would be useful for your purpose.
   http://www.arta-israel.co.il/sg_product~LIN1502~32~155.htm"Arta" is an arts supplies outfit and these are surely meant for tracing or painting, not guiding a router bushing.There are plenty of sign makers around but it's all done by CNC nowadays.I still think your best bet is to freehand carve whatever you wish.David Ring

   http://www.touchwood.co.il/?lang=e&id=1

3. 
   TomHigby | Oct 23, 2009 12:44am | #12

   Freehand letter carving  is my favorite aspect of wood-working.  Sharpen up your chisels and give it a try!

   Tom

3. 
   RalphBarker | Oct 21, 2009 07:29pm | #5

   I'd suggest contacting the makers of the various sign-making kits directly to see if they have templates for Hebrew. TurnLock, for example, uses 2 1/2" and 1 1/2" letters, the smaller possibly being suitable for your blocks.

1. 
   woodworker52 | Oct 22, 2009 12:15am | #7

   also another great idea which I will do today. Thanks

4. 
   WillGeorge | Oct 22, 2009 08:22pm | #9

   Sir I have no idea at this moment.

   I have looked up Hebrew fonts but not sure what I was looking at. My wife was German/Hebrew and only spoke English, I'd ask her but she died long ago..

   I would think for carving letter blocks all you need is a text Font to work with.

   I do not know what to post that I find. I am not sure if I will offend you as I do not read Hebrew...

   I would say just use a search engine, such as Google, to find the font you can read?

    

5. 
   WillGeorge | Oct 23, 2009 04:13pm | #14

   Sir..

   Not sure what you need or where you are so I will post this. A set of blocks you can use for a sort of ink block for the outlines?

   http://www.google.com/products?q=Hebrew+wooden+letter+blocks&rlz=1I7GGLL_en&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=-6rhSvH5GpXkMem87cAB&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CBsQrQQwAA

   Follow the basic search and find more... Good luck.

1. 
   woodworker52 | Oct 24, 2009 06:57am | #15

   thanks very much. I want to create something like this and have the letters routed into the blocks so I may buy a set to check them out.

1. 
   WillGeorge | Oct 28, 2009 02:38pm | #17

   My new reply.. I an NOT a good carver... Period! But I like to make wooden letterblocks for childrens Ink Stamps...

   I have a very old projector and I can scale the image to almost any size for my crude chip carvings from the white paper used as the projection screen. I use a pencil and try to keep my head out of the image shown..

   Now if my old projector bulb burns out I'm lost!

6. 
   wotnow | Oct 27, 2009 04:37am | #16

   Hi mate

   Don't know if you have access to a laser cutting engraving machine, I used one for doing letters in all manner of things and could engrave down to about 3/16" deep (probably deeper with multiple passes). In fact you could engrave almost any type of artwork.

   Bruce

   I started out with nothing...and I still have most of it left!