I'm about to cut my first commercial sign!

[kurt_rose]

I'll be cutting it from 1" Duna and it's to be a 2 sided hanging sign 2'x2'. My present plan is cutting 2 separate signs and epoxying them together. Can any of you pros out there tell me how you would approach reinforcing it to be rigid enough to handle the swinging and to hold eye hooks so it can hang from a couple of chains. I appreciate all your input! Thanks, Kurt

[CNYDWW]

With my PVC Signs i attach 1/2" square aluminum tubing to the backs of signs, offset them so they will overlap then put a few stainless screws into the aluminum from top and bottom to attach them together. Any other hanging hardware can also be attached to the the aluminum. I only use stainless so they'll never see the horrid rust.

Regards
Randy

[joewino]

Don't put eye hooks into HDU - it won't hold.

I would suggest running two pieces of flat aluminum vertically between the two pieces of HDU. Just mortise out an area for the supports and glue the two sides together, sandwiching the aluminum between the two. Run the aluminum out the top of the sign a few inches and drill a hole in the flat piece to attach to what ever you are hanging it from. This puts all the stress on the aluminum rather than the HDU.

I'm not a fan of anything that swings. In time it will just beat itself to death.

[bleeth]

But Ray: I have it on good authority that you are an old swinger yourself!!

[tuck]

But Ray: I have it on good authority that you are an old swinger yourself!!

He used to be, but now he just beats himself to death.

[kurt_rose]

Thats just wrong on so many levels! LOL!

[GlenP]

I am not touching those comments guys.....lol
Now back to hdu. I do something like Raymond and insert metal into the sign to carry the strength of mounting. Here is a quickie little pic to help. Also I NEVER advise on signs hanging from chains unless the links are welded. A sign mounted on chain link can swing and twist around and may ultimately cause damage or ruin the sign. If chains are the only option then get them welded and repaint them. Also I take into consideration the outdoor elements where you live. I am in Ontario Canada so we get very cold winters and warm summers so whenever I mount two types of materials together expansion issues need to be accounted for. When I use metal with hdu I use a paint able silicone around the metal where it comes out of the sign. I also silicone the metal frame inside the hdu as silicone allows for expansion and contraction without any issue. Lastly I have been advised not to leave any voids inside the sign after pocketing for the metal. I was told that if you leave open areas inside the sign the temperatures will be uneven and may cause paint issues with "hot spots" and make certain areas of the sign have paint failure. Sounds silly but the guy that advised me of this does allot of Duna hdu work and has had that exact issue with leaving a void inside the layers of hdu. Anyway doing signs in hdu is allot of fun but remember that just because we have these routers that it doesn't mean some things are easier by hand or can be fixed if a boo boo happens. I also when doing 3d will do some smoothing on the comouter but then get it perfect with sandpaper and chisel. Do some testing as well on your own. Its all part of the job.

Cheers,
Glen:)

[joewino]

Dave - better check back on your "good authority". And another piece of advice - don't believe anything old man Crumley tells you.

[bleeth]

Aw come on Ray:
I'd hate to have to pull your charter fellow membership key in "the Old Swingers" club!!

[joe]

I believe every thing Raymond says. He's my hero!

Joe Crumley
www.jcrumley1@cox.net (http://www.jcrumley1@cox.net)
www.normansignco.com (http://www.normansignco.com)

[joewino]

See...there he goes again.

[joe]

OK Ray,

I was fibbin.
I don't like you after all and
You aren't my hero!

Now
is that better?

Naw, you're one of our best pro's and I consider you one of my best friends. Too bad about your age.

Joe Crumley
www.normansignco.com (http://www.normansignco.com)

[joewino]

Joe's got a great sense of humor...it's why I poke at him so much. Joe's a little older than me (but not much), but still learning, and that's one of the reasons that I love him.