I'm having to chevron up the back end of a firetruck with thicker than thick material this round. The stripes need to go over a compartment door with exposed screws that are embedded into the door.
I'll be removing selected screws at a time to stripe the door, however this means I have to cut perfect holes where each designated screw situates.
Punches or drills tend to shatter or shred the material. Hand cutting straight is hard enough never mind attempting a curve. In order to cut through the material, the blade requires about three swipes hand done.
I'm drawing a blank on this one. Any ideas on how I can accomplish perfect circles where required with this stuff?
No, he doesn't want me to just 'miss' the hole area.
Thanks!
[ July 12, 2011, 02:40 PM: Message edited by: Donna in BC ]
posted
iam assuming the holes you need are SCREW HOLES? whats the problem with laying on the vinyl, then finding the screw hole by pushing on the vinyl,till you can see the hole indent, then taking an exacto and making an X and then running the screw back in the hole???? the shattering you make reference to doesnt happen when you cut it, it happens when you OVER TIGHTEN the screw back into the hole.and they do make HEAVY DUTY EXACTOS! http://www.xacto.com/Product/X3206
[ July 12, 2011, 03:42 PM: Message edited by: old paint ]
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
Donna, may I recommend in the future you check out the V92 material from Reflexite.
Its got the same reflectivity as the 3M chevron material but its thinner and can be cut with a plotter and X-acto. You'll find it a lot easier to deal with.
posted
You might try sharpening the edge of a piece of steel tube, like the barrel of a ballpoint pen. Then gently twist the end on the desired area. It should cut a neat, clean hole if you sharpen it well.
-------------------- Wayne Webb Webb Signworks Chipley, FL 850.638.9329 wayne@webbsignworks.com Posts: 7403 | From: Chipley,Florida,United States | Registered: Oct 1999
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you can buy a "pre sharpened steel tube" with GROMMET KITS, at any hardware store!!!!
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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the steel tube needs a centering pin so you can align properly...I had a tool made for cutting graphics on race cars around the deuz fasteners it had a pin in the center that fit the inside of the hole where the fastener went thru and the cutting edge was twisted and made a hole slightly bigger than the fastener head the tool had a knob handle and it was pressed against the surface and spun to cut
posted
The material I'm using is a 3M product and actually is not thick. The issue became when my client ordered the accompanying 'bright green'. 3M applied an overlaying transparent film over the product to produce the green effect. Whatever that stuff is, it's bullet proof! I'm going to suggest something else next time for him.
OP, you cannot flex this foil like material, even the thin stuff. I attempted that last time but where the screw recessed, it buckled all the material around each head. It really needs to be a clean round cut prior.
I don't think a hand punch will do it, (I stock them) but we'll have to try. I'll get the firetruck place to rig something special up to hopefully prove my (impossible to do) plea. Michael, wish I had that thing you used right now with the middle pin indicator. Cool idea!
[ July 13, 2011, 07:15 PM: Message edited by: Donna in BC ]
posted
Yes Stein. The screws are embedded so they sit flush with the door, not on top. I already asked if we could use longer screws and just cover the holes with washers but they said no.
What about making a paper pattern to match the new graphics, marking exactly where the holes are to be positioned. Then overlay the pattern on the actual material and drilling the holes with a ... drill.
Good luck with it!
-------------------- Pat Neve, Jr. Sign Man, Inc. 4580 N. US 1 Melbourne, FL 32935 321-537-8675 Capt. Sign
Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. — Charles Mingus Posts: 6713 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Hey again...if you think it will chip, make a small pilot hole in the center then use the size bit that you need but run the drill in REVERSE and let the bit 'melt' through the material - or at least through the top layer.
Again, good luck.
-------------------- Pat Neve, Jr. Sign Man, Inc. 4580 N. US 1 Melbourne, FL 32935 321-537-8675 Capt. Sign
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