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I have to make a shaped sign out of DiBond. In the end, it will be mounted to the side of a building by the customer. It will be pretty big, roughly 9'x14'. Think of almost a diamond shape, horizontally stretched. I was going to go to the lumber yard and buy 1"x3" boards and use them as supports to screw the shape together. It would be one 4'x8' DiBond panel each on the bottom and top, with the middle portion being two 4'x8' DiBond panels butted on the short ends. After assembly outside, as my garage is not big enough, I was going to project the design onto this shape. Then dis-assemble and cut with a jigsaw in the garage. And then hand-paint it. (I can only get 4'x8' DiBond) Can anyone think of a better way? The client will re-assemble and install onsite. I will supply touch-up paint for the screw heads. I wish there was a way to not use screws, but if there is, I can't think of it. Thanks. Love....Jill Posts: 8834 | From: Butler, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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I would use Econolite for this project because you can get the edge clip thingies that slip into the flutes and keeps the edge stable.
Instead of the lumber, I would use the .032 aluminum tubing that Glantz sells. It is stable, never needs to be painted and you can use VHB to hold the darn thing together. I did the very thing you are looking to do, shape wise.
You might really want to reconfigure the design to be accomandated on an eight foot height. There will be savings in it for the customer and the logistics of scabbing on a one foot piece is eliminated. However, Econolite is available in ten foot lengths so that is an option as well.
I would treat the edges of the panels with the edge trim that Laminators sells for the Econolite panels.
If you have any questions how I did this, let me know!
-------------------- Bruce Bowers
DrCAS Custom Lettering and Design Saint Cloud, Minnesota
"Things work out best for the people who make the best of the way things work out." - Art Linkletter Posts: 6451 | From: Saint Cloud, Minnesota | Registered: Jun 1999
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Hi Jill! I Think Alumilite comes in 5'x 12' and 5'x 10' too you can use some of thieirs size which it will save you some time on putting together. If you get two 5'x 10 and cut them to the right size.
Just a thought.
-------------------- Sal Cabrera Signs By Sal New Freedom , PA
The goal of Yesterday will be the Stating Point of Tomorrow! Posts: 686 | From: New Freedom , PA US | Registered: Nov 1999
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Aluminum tubing you say? Sounds interesting. I will have to call Glantz. Got them to ship me some Ronan in for this job.
I thought of trimming leftover Alumalite into strips and using those rather than the lumber, but it needs to be dis-assembled for transport. So the double-sided tape may not be an option, altho I do have some.
I'm using DiBond because the customer did not want to see the corrugation on the edges of Alumalite. I would not use Econolite as I have had it buckle. Love....Jill PS (I can only get 4'x8' sheets)
[ May 15, 2008, 08:18 AM: Message edited by: Jillbeans ]
Posts: 8834 | From: Butler, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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I also enforce the use of the aluminum tubing, They sell the corners and T's to build a nice strong structure. You will need to pop rivet it together. I have built some good size signs bigger than your size, using Dibond as the face and the tubing as the back and it becomes very strong.
I don't doubt the VHB technique from bruce but I would end of using pop rivets to hold the sign in place to the frame for the final install. I love VHB but I question the longevity being outdoors if this thing is to be mounted on a wall.
I see you said your sign needs to be dissasembled, so screws might be your only option
[ May 15, 2008, 08:51 AM: Message edited by: Bob Rochon ]
-------------------- Bob Rochon Creative Signworks Millbury, MA 508-865-7330
"Life is Like an Echo, what you put out, comes back to you." Posts: 5149 | From: Millbury, Mass. U.S. | Registered: Nov 1998
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It's a good thing too, because I do not know how to pop rivet! If I call Glantz will they know what I'm talking about when I ask about tubes? Love....Jill
Posts: 8834 | From: Butler, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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Hi Jill, a nice clean seam with no screws showing is pretty easy with Dibond. Rout a groove on the back of your piece (3/4 to 1" from the edge), just enough to break through the bottom face. Slot a groove on the the edge of a 2x4 with your table saw, slip the 2x4 over your dibond and bend the dibond to a 90 degree angle. Zip screw the pieces together from the back and your screws are all hidden. I've used this method to add up to 2" of demension to the sides of my signs as well.
-------------------- Terry Baird Baird Signs 3484 West Lake Rd. Canandaigua, NY 14424 Posts: 790 | From: Canandaigua, New York | Registered: Dec 2002
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It's just called 1"x1" aluminum tube as far as I know. We use lots, but it comes in 20'or so lengths so unless you get deliveries on their trucks it might not be an option with shipping. 1x3 boards would work, so would MDO or PVC(PVC won't rot either)
quote:Originally posted by Bob Rochon: I don't doubt the VHB technique from bruce but I would end of using pop rivets to hold the sign in place to the frame for the final install. I love VHB but I question the longevity being outdoors if this thing is to be mounted on a wall.
VHB is amazing stuff and there is really no need to question it's abilities and longevity. It is used around the world in some very large buildings as a non-mechanical structural fastener as well as other long-term bonding solutions.
You need not to question it's longevity, just a need to properly research a product and it's uses in order to give well informed advice and have confidence in it's proper use.
Thanks for the link on the VHB that is chuck full of wonderful information. It says it last up to 25 years outdoors. I also see you need to use their cleaners and such.
Even though it is stated in print I would still question the longevity outdoors. At the cost of a few rivets I would sleep better an night not wondering if my insurance policy was good enough.
And that is well informed advice. Advice from my own personal experience, and I would guess your own personal experience would be to use VHB.
Thanks for posting that link. I may try VHB on some outdoor projects.
-------------------- Bob Rochon Creative Signworks Millbury, MA 508-865-7330
"Life is Like an Echo, what you put out, comes back to you." Posts: 5149 | From: Millbury, Mass. U.S. | Registered: Nov 1998
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And thanks to Broooce for the call. Awaiting my delivery, then I am gonna pick the brain of my Glantz guy. Love....Jill
Posts: 8834 | From: Butler, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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DrCAS Custom Lettering and Design Saint Cloud, Minnesota
"Things work out best for the people who make the best of the way things work out." - Art Linkletter Posts: 6451 | From: Saint Cloud, Minnesota | Registered: Jun 1999
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Bob, VHB really is what it says, "Very High Bond". I used some to adhere some 1/4" acrylic to the exterior of a steel entrance door over 15 years ago. I needed to remove it recently. I needed a steel pry bar and the plexi came off in several pieces, the tape hung like steel to the door.
A friend/customer uses it to join aluminum doors together for pit carts and trailer cabinets for the professional motorsports industry. Has not had one fail in 8 years.
-------------------- Curt Stenz Graphics 700 Squirrel Lane Marathon, WI 54448 Posts: 592 | From: Marathon, WI 54448 | Registered: Dec 1998
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