structural questions

[brian]

This sign is surrounded by big cedar & fir tree's.I'm a little worried about the design detail at the top being taken out by a branch.
The wood will be 4" clear cedar.
I'm thinking about cutting a .125 aluminum piece to match the top detail for added strength.
Am I being paranoid or is it a valid issue.

Thanks Brian

[steve_g]

Paranoid... no, cautious... yes! looks like something a kid will want to swing from. Can you sandwich the Aluminum, or won't it be seen from two sides?

Steve

[brian]

The back of the sign will be facing into the woods so it won't be seen from the back.
What's the best method to glue up the wood to prevent warping.
Is it better to glue up 4x4's as apposed to 4x12's.
Cedar doesn't warp as much as alot of woods but still can be a problem.

Brian

[steve_g]

I'm sorry I don't have any expertise when it comes to gluing cedar for exterior exposure, hopefully someone else will chime in... The stylized "R" on top has me concerned. The short grain areas no matter what direction you run it would make me want to glue it up from many layers of whatever. Perhaps only the top 1.5 or 2" can be Cedar.

Steve

[brian]

That's were I was thinking the backing of aluminum would come into play.
Constant moisture in my area is a problem with anything outside.Western red cedar is the best wood of choice in this area.This sign will be shaded alot which adds to the problem.The face of the sign will be facing almost due north

Brian

[dakers]

love your design very much, simple elegant, perfect, i would do it as you have it sketched , i would just make the topper a separate element that bolts on to the body of sign just in case there were issues. Then i would have to think what material i would use for the topper.

[Big-Tex]

The back of the sign will be facing into the woods so it won't be seen from the back.
What's the best method to glue up the wood to prevent warping.
Is it better to glue up 4x4's as apposed to 4x12's.
Cedar doesn't warp as much as alot of woods but still can be a problem.

Brian
4x4 is better, there is a method that we woodworkers call heart to heart, bark to bark. Can this prevent 100% warping? NO. Why? One side of sign will be exposed to more sun then other in shade and that will cause some warping plus you are dealing with God created material. Also aluminum will give it structural rigidity but, there is also a problem with this method. It becomes "unbalanced" (pull to one side). What does that mean? Look at cross section of plywood it has odd number of layers with each layer grain direction is at 90 deg to another, with facing veneer on 1 side and equal veneer on other side. Another example. Particle board with laminate on one side and backer sheet of equal grade ( vertical, post form or standard) on other side.


I'm sorry I don't have any expertise when it comes to gluing cedar for exterior exposure, hopefully someone else will chime in... The stylized "R" on top has me concerned. The short grain areas no matter what direction you run it would make me want to glue it up from many layers of whatever. Perhaps only the top 1.5 or 2" can be Cedar.

Steve Properly placed dowels or biscuits will help with that issue.

Just include line on bottom of your invoice as "exclusion" you are not responsible for vandalism, acts of GOD, natural weathering, color fading etc... and what ever you feel customer may pick on.

Nice design, clean and plenty of contrast. Goal achieved.

[brian]

Thanks
I have a tendency to forget those kind of clauses.
I will be adding fir splines for strength
Is there a better UV protection than a good Spar varnish.

Brian

[zeykr]

I'd think about having someone plasma cut a 1/4" steel bracket the shape of the "R" for support plus a little extra at the bottom to use to mount to the back of main sign.


Take a look at Sikkens finishes, either the cetol siding or Dek finishes or the marine cetol finishes. They also have an exterior window and door finish that is clear. Expensive, but hold up much better than spar varnish in my experience.

[brian]

The customer has had a change of mind and may want wooded posts instead of the rock work
Any ideas other than the standard 4x posts.
I've been thinking about it for awhile but so far nothing.

Brian

[dakers]

http://www.fauxpanels.com/
they have some products that inspire a more economical but cool application for posts or bases.
we have use post covers on some projects where a certain look was wanted on a lower budget.