| Memorial Benches are a wonderful way to | | | | can vary but are usually cheaper than hand |
| commemorate a happy event, or to celebrate | | | | carving where CNC routing is available. |
| the life of a loved one now departed. Adding a | | | | Plaques / Plates |
| special message makes a Bench a very personal | | | | Most commemorative plaques that are placed on |
| gift. | | | | Memorial Benches are either Brass or Stainless |
| Wood Carving | | | | steel. |
| Wood carving by hand involves using a variety of | | | | Brass Plaques |
| different chisels and gouges in order to | | | | Brass is a yellowish alloy of copper and zinc, |
| meticulously carve out text. The text is first | | | | sometimes including small amounts of other |
| printed on to paper then etched on to the timber. | | | | metals, but usually 67 percent copper and 33 |
| The process is lengthy and time consuming but | | | | percent zinc. Text is computer etched into the |
| when done by a professional, looks outstanding. | | | | Brass then in-filled and stove enamelled in black. |
| Standard fonts are Aerial & Times Roman | | | | This is a very traditional method and the |
| and for best results, should only be done in capital | | | | technology allows many types of fonts, many |
| letters; Lower case lettering can look childlike at | | | | charachters of text in a small area and some |
| best. | | | | offer images too. |
| Hand carving can be done in places that a CNC | | | | If left outside, the brass will gracefully fade to a |
| router cannot reach such as curved rails. As the | | | | light brown. Use Brasso to bring aged Brass back |
| inscription will not deteriorate over time it provides | | | | to life, however you may want to put some |
| an anti-theft deterrent, as it cannot be removed. | | | | masking tape around the outer edges of the |
| A very traditional and elegant method but due to | | | | plaque to protect the Teak whilst cleaning. |
| intensive manual labour, this format is the most | | | | Generally speaking, this is the most cost effective |
| expensive. | | | | way of providing commemorative text. |
| CNC | | | | Stainless Steel Plaques |
| The latest way to carve into wood uses a CNC | | | | Stainless Steel is defined as a steel alloy with a |
| router. The abbreviation CNC stands for | | | | minimum of 11% chromium content by mass. |
| Computer Numerical Control, and refers | | | | Stainless steel does not stain, corrode, or rust as |
| specifically to a computer "controller" that reads | | | | easily as ordinary steel. It stains less, but it is not |
| computer instructions and drives a machine tool | | | | stain-proof. There is no after care. The colour |
| to selectively remove material, in this case wood. | | | | should stay fast for life and has all the same |
| 3D text, lower case lettering and unusual logos | | | | benefits as Brass Plaques when it comes to text |
| can easily be engraved into the wood. The size of | | | | engraving technology. |
| the machine dictates the panels that can be | | | | The price for stainless steel plates are generally |
| engraved on, so if you are after an inscription on | | | | speaking 30% higher than a Brass Plate when |
| a long bench, always enquire before hand. Costs | | | | budgeting. |