Lettering Guides

[J&KCopeland]

Many moons ago, (pre-AutoCAD) draftsmen used Rapidograph Pens with lettering guides to produce to quality ink on Mylar drawings.

I'm looking for a similar set up, using a rotary (Dremel??) drill to create small labels and signs.

Dremel has bits small enough to handle the small lettering, but I can't seem to locate any complete set that would mount the Dremel and then use the guides to produce the letters.

Does anyone know of a possible manufacturer or add-on set that would allow this process?

This would be for home use.

James...

[Dave W]

The lettering guide from long ago was known as a LEROY, made by K&E and it used liquid ink. They are probably on EBAY as collectables. What a mess; but when all went well it made nice lettering. One of these could probably be modified to accept a small rotary cutter. Dave

[S R]

[CW]

Your statement needed to start out "one type of lettering guide from long ago" as there are a number of different types and brands, most still available. If you think that was long ago, you must be pretty young.

[Kurt]

"CW" wrote in news: [e-mail]:

I still consider my Rapidograph pens great. On the other hand, retail stores now consider it old enough that I'm beginning to have problems finding normal ink to refill them. They all seem to expect me to purchase nearly the entire now-disposable pen sans outer barrel over and over and find it acceptable. If this is the new way, I'll stick with old while I can. :)

As for the lettering guides, you may need to actually create a set to get just what you want to start. I believe some of the roller-bearing sets designed to fit onto router bits for use in the various kits for routers to follow hardboard or plastic templates might be usable on a Dremel bit. I'm guessing here, so don't ask for part number quotes , but that would be where I might start investigating if I didn't find anything I liked.

Good luck.

Kurt

[CW]

Have you tried art supply stores? Around here (Seattle area), there are numerous places that you can get Higgins and Pelican inks. As this is a rather engineering rich area, drafting supplies in general are not to hard to find.

[Kurt]

"CW" wrote in news: [e-mail]:

Not yet, other than the larger scale craft shops and two small drafting and blueprint shops. I'll give them a try this week. Thanks for the suggestion.