Probably HDU But?

[bleeth]

I have a request to do a stack of similar signs (see image of a couple) just like these but newer. Haven't seen the existing but the client says they are foam. I'm assuming HDU and with the apparent depth of the area clear I guess it should be 1" with a 3/8 deep clear leaving the raised letters although 3/4 with a 1/4" deep may be right for the wall mounts.
I'm thinking $60/ square foot for 3/4 and $75 for the thicker ones. Client is providing EPS and/or AI so theoretically all I will have to do is toolpath them.
Would appreciate some feedback from you guys who do this all the time. For me I've only done a few and they were in MDF.
From the getgo I was actually thinking PVC would be a better choice. After some forum research I am inclined to go that route. Do you agree? Does the pricing still seem in the right ballpark? Would the 3 x 4 ones still need 1" material or would 3/4 work fine?

Dave

[fozzyber]

$60-&75 sq ft sounds like just above wholesale I retail $90-$125

[curtiss]

How do you vary the price on a sign with raised letters vrs cut / v carved lettering ???

Obviously, the raised letters takes much more time.

[fozzyber]

I really don't so much, I sell a sign, and a design.I might give a little discount if it looks easy, but on routed signs giving options and letting the customer know the price difference just confuses them. They start thinking how to save money and not about a nice looking sign.
I sell pretty, not machine time.

[wberminio]

Dave

Not sure about the pricing -But PVC is the way to go !

I've cut several signs from PVC
Just use an exterior acrylic paint and let it dry well:)
It cuts like butter

[bleeth]

Thanks for the input guys. I went with that pricing for the following reasons:
1. I am getting vector art ready to cut.
2. Painting these puppies is a snap as I don't have to paint the sides of the letters, only the face.
3. Installation is also a snap. The posts for freestanding already exist and all I have to do is lag them up and put some keyhole hangers in the backs of the wall mounts.
4. Building cabinets is getting boring as H and I wanted to get the job to break the monotony!
5. If I do this "on the side" then I can dedicate the profit to finishing the Alpha upgrade.

Customer liked 1" PVC concept.

Are you using Latex Acrylic or Alkyd?

Any issues with Avery mask on PVC or Acrylic undercoat?

[wberminio]

Latex on PVC

Mask works well -Just let paint DRY well before applying!

[blackhawk]

Dave - Let us know the exact material and cutters that you use when you get to that point. I haven't tried PVC yet.

[joe]

Dave.

The examples you are showing was sandblasted HDU.

I would choose PVC hands down over foam. The plastic is tougher and requires less finishing time. No priming necessary on PVC.

I use HDU for carving 3D. I've give up on it as a panel substrate. Too many failures.

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

[joe]

Dave.

The examples you are showing was sandblasted HDU.

I would choose PVC hands down over foam. The plastic is tougher and requires less finishing time. No priming necessary on PVC.

I use HDU for carving 3D only. I've give up on it as a panel substrate. Too many failures.

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

[bleeth]

If the customer approves the job we will go with PVC. I don't have a sandblaster but I do have a "granite" texture that I can cut on the bot which is very close to what they have. I picked up a hunk of PVC to play with and designed a sample piece to work the bugs out of the process. Of course I don't get to charge the client for my learning experience!

I picked up some Burchette tapered ball nose bits a while back and this looks like the project that they will get used on.

I've been waiting for your input Joe!! Thanks for chiming in. I'd like to shoot the paint but all the stuff I'm used to working with would probably eat the plastic. Does anyone have specific product tips on sprayable finish for that?

[Gary Campbell]

Dave...
Let the gun eat. Both HDU and PVC are compatible with polyester resin. If the styrene wont eat it, hardly anything will. (except PVC glue or cleaner) :)

[bleeth]

Again-thanks for the input. I ran a model today in MDF (its only 12 x 12) with an 1/8" BN and had some issues with too close spacing of elements so modified it some. In simulation it still needs some outline cleanup with a 1/16th and if it's pre textured then the 1/16th doesn't follow the heights of the texture when outlineing raised parts. May have to go to sandblast after cutting to get the texture. Another thought was to cut it and clean it up with no background texture and then cut the texture but that sure makes machining take a long time.
I've attached a shot of the model.

Joe-I sent you an e-mail.

[GlenP]

Hey Dave. What about cutting and showing them some different textures. Perhaps they would consider a change. When they purchased the original signs perhaps the supplier didnt have a grain frame to create the texture while sandblasting. Even if you provide jpg for them t osee but I always find customers get a better cense of what you are offering when they can put their hands on it.