Sign material

[sawkerf]

What sign material would work best for small signs on a nature trail? Each sign would be about 1 sq foot in size. Engineered product prefered. Thanks, Kip

[GeneM (Unregistered Guest)]

We did a nature trail project with a local Eagle Scout candidate.
He wanted a synthetic product as well.

We wound up convincing him to use spanish cedar.

Mopre rustic, 100% rot resistant, machines well, and (I'm Sure) over time will weather nicely as the finish deteriorates.
downside, The sawdust tastes like #*@!, wear a mask.

Cheers
gene

[billp]

If the cedar doesn't work, two likely candidates are "Extira", and "Color Core". Extira would have more of a natural appearance, while the Color Core would be clean, and almost grafitti proof.
Color Core cuts MUCH easier than Extira, is easier to handle, and requires NO finish work.It's also less toxic to your system. And obviously it's more expensive...
Many golf courses use it for the above reasons...

[joe]

Bill & Kip,

I have been looking with envy at the exterior decking materials for this kind of signage. There are several testures and colors availabe. These products include some very attractive posts and top caps. There are a new set of screws made just for decking. They have a reverse
thread screw at the top.

The problem I've come across is how to paint it, but it sure looks promising.

Joe

[elcruisr]

Hey Bill,
Where are you getting the color core from and do you know who makes it? Have several customers asking me for it and can't seem to find a local distributor who even has heard of it!

Thanks for any info you might have.

Eric

[gerald_d]

The original ColorCore was made by Formica. Maybe it has become generic.

[billp]

Eric,
I usually get it from Harbor Sales ( www.haborsales.net (http://www.haborsales.net)) where it is marketed under the name of "King Color Core". They do ship nationwide, and will cut panels down for easier shipment. I'd think that a good sign supply house should be able to track it down locally for you as well..

[fleinbach]

Bad link Bill
Try this www.harborsales.net (http://www.harborsales.net)

[bleeth]

Johnson Plastics has Hundreds of engaveable laminated plastics in a variety of materials and finishes (I thought I got this one from you about a year ago Bill).
www.johnsonplastics.com (http://www.johnsonplastics.com) Their catalog is fun.

Dave

[beacon14]

The colorcore material produced by Formica Corp was a different animal - it was "plastic laminate" with the phenolic backing colored to match the face, as opposed to standard laminates whoch have a brown phenolic backing and a paper-thin color layer. The idea was that you could eliminate the black line at the edge of the sheet which some customers objected to. It was only .06 or so thick, relatively expensive for laminate, and still left a visible glue line in most cases. I don't think they still sell it as I could not find a reference to it on the Formica web site.

[billp]

Some people in the past have also called just about ANY "engraveable stock" a form of "color core" as it has similar properties. The major difference is in the thickness of the materials. Engraving stock is very thin, and meant to be used with either engraving machines, or nowadays, lasers. The surface is a different color than the inner "plies", and when the surface is carved or burned away it leaves a contrasting inner color exposed.
The real beauty of all of these products is that once you have carved them, you are done! No sanding, NO painting, NO burnishing, etc.
Now if we could only get a good face grain plywood with equally attractive inner plies....Ahhhhhhhh....

[bleeth]

Bill: There is a product out there that is mdf that is color impregnated in several different shades. You can always veneer it and then carve away. I'm not sure if it is ext grade.

http://www.interlam-design.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=binders.content&binderID=4

It could be cool. I've clear coated some saamples and it gets quite rich looking. In my part of Florida I think Tech Supply in Riviera, Miami, and elsewhere was distributing it.

Dave

[edcoleman]

Bill:

There is of course no color core plywood, but I saw something that comes close: MDF core plywood. I was at a craft show and saw a guy who was making small signs for the home out of what I believe was MDF core. He had V carved different folksy sayings into the plywood then stained them. The face of the sign gave a nice woodgrain appearance, but the core (in the lettering and on the edges) sucked up the stain and presented a darker, even color. The result was a nice looking “wooden” sign.

I haven't tried this myself, but I recently picked up a piece of MDF core plywood and it is on my "todo" list.

-Ed

[bleeth]

Eric: For King color core in Orlando check out Laird Plastics.

Dave

[rookie432]

I think "Polycarve" is the standard name. I found a co here in ohio that distributes it at a pretty fair price. The Co. name Is Plasteak.
http://www.plasteak.com
They do Mfr some other neat HDPE products.

Bill

[joe]

Dave R.

Thanks for the Color Core MDF link. I was taken away with the etc.etc.ect. section for textured panels. I just hope the product is a good looking as they show.

What a find.


Joe

[stickman]

I have seen another company... But going through my catalogs and magazines, I can't find it. I would like to find a company close. I think it would be a great product to cut lettering out of, I also have a couple other ideas I would love to use it for...

[stickman]

I found this, but still haven't found a local distributer:

http://www.basf.com/specialty_colorants/bcsclrantsmdf.html

[bleeth]

Jay: Give Interlam a call and they will be glad to send samples and tell you the nearest distributor.

[stickman]

I gave Interlam a call. Sales office or distributer in Chicago, the 3/4" sheets of material run about 150 dollars a sheet, no including shipping. That is about 4.69 a square foot. They are sending me samples. But, I could probably do a couple lettering projects at that price. I look forward to seeing the product and getting the chance to work with it.

Jay R Mack
http://stores.ebay.com/StickMan-WoodWorking