posted
How far can I push 15 lb. 1.5" HDU before it will snap in the center?
I have a client that needs a sign to fit a curved structure. The sign is 9' x 26.25". He thinks it's about 8" front the front point curving back. If that makes sense.
Any input appreciated.
-------------------- Amy Brown Life Skills 101 Private Address Posts: 3502 | From: Lake Helen, FL, USA | Registered: Feb 2001
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He made a form outa plywood with a little deeper curve than needed (this was to compensate for some "springback")
He spread epoxy to adhear the two panels and bent them over the form and clamped them down. Enough weights would work too.
Another way is to cut equaly spaced slots on a table saw (about an inch apart and 3/4" deep) in the back....fill the slots with magic smooth, bend the panel and squeege out the excess smooth and let it cure. You will probly get a multiple series of small flats across the panel but it would be an easy fix w/sand paper. You'll need a form for this too.......
Both are a lot of work!!!!
Hope this helps.
joe
Makin Chips and Havin Fun!
-------------------- Joe Cieslowski Connecticut Woodcarvers Gallery P.O.Box 368 East Canaan CT 06024 jcieslowski@snet.net 860-824-0883 Posts: 2345 | From: East Canaan CT 06024 | Registered: Nov 2001
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Picture how much a 4x8 sheet would "droop" if hanging over the edges of a work table.
I imagine a 26" piece would bend just fine. (only one way to find-out though)
Another option would be to laminate (sandwich) two pices of 3/4" to make a thickness of 1 1/2".
That would bend like butter.
You could epoxy between the two layers and bend it to the curve you want. When the epoxy cures, the piece will stay in that shape. Just add a little extra to the bend so when you release it from whatever is holding it, it will "relax" to the radius you want.
I just did a tight radius bend with 8 each 1/2" thick layers of 15# to make an arch about 4" thick, 36" wide and about 20" high and it worked great. After the epoxy cured, it stayed a perfect arch.
I hope this makes sense.
Peace, Bob
-------------------- "The 3-4 minute mark of "Freewill" by Rush.
Bob Kaschak Artisan Sign And Design Peru New York Posts: 1873 | From: Upstate NY | Registered: Jul 2002
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posted
Laminating 3/4" is the way to go otherwise the 1.5" will always try to fight its way back and could pull through fasteners with time. I have done this many times with the largest being 4' high by 25' wide monument curved out 4' laminating 3/4" together on an aluminum frame.
-------------------- Brian Stoddard Northwest Wholesale Signs
posted
a heatgun will help, too- at least, with thinner stuff.
-------------------- "Stewey" on chat
"...there are no limits when you aim for perfection..." Jonathan Livingston Seagull Posts: 7014 | From: Highgrove via Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia | Registered: Dec 2002
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posted
If it was curving out I don't think it would be a problem at all. I've done this many times. No fasteners needed in the middle. Just screw the ends down and the middle holds itself. It just seems like curving in would create more stress. One inch would bend like butter. Why does it need to be one and a half?
-------------------- Dennis Goddard
Gibsonton Fl Posts: 1050 | From: Tampa Fl USA | Registered: Apr 2000
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posted
Bob, I thought of your arch sign when I saw this post this morning & hoped you'd chime in. I'd love to see a photo of that sign again, and the jig too, if you feel like posting. I thought that was such an interesting accomplishment & one I hope to try some day.
posted
Amy, did you ever think about using EPS Foam Sign. We create large entry signs with a radius all the time - best part, there is no need to worry about the panel snapping, no seems or joints.
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