I have been having trouble with the Super U brackets breaking on my signs that I have installed between two posts. It is only the 1/4" size that is breaking from the wind. I have replaced one bracket on two different signs recently due to wind which was not over 20 mph.
I am using the 6mil Dibond type material such as Poly Metal, Alupanel etc. We recently had a stronger storm roll through and another 4x8 poly metal sign with the super U brackets broke all four and banged up the corners pretty bad.
I have used the 1/2 inch super U brackets and have had no problems in any of the storms. The 1/4 inch size is giving me fits. They are now making them out of aluminum instead of steel since the old ones would start rusting in a few months.
I have shown my supplier the remaining pieces and he was going to contact the manufacturer and let me know what can be done.
Has anyone else had a similar problem using these brackets? I really liked them at first but can't afford to keep replacing them if they aren't going to hold up. I guarantee my signs for a year from any material defect so it looks like I will be replacing most of them that I used the 1/4 inch brackets on.
Sign-cerely Un-Super, Steve
Posted by Brad Ferguson (Member # 33) on October 31, 2010 10:30 PM:
Steve,
Back in the day, when we pinched a double-sided MDO panel between two posts, I usually used three-quarter-inch. When I used half-inch, I usually framed it. Three-eighths thickness was reserved for cheap knock-out work or painted bulletins.
I know it's difficult to turn a profit on 4x8s, especially with so much cheap competition these days. And panel materials are not inexpensive. But my tendency is still to frame a thin panel.
Maybe if enough Super U brackets break, they will make them more rugged.
Nice meeting you in Danville.
Brad in Kansas City
Posted by Doug Allan (Member # 2247) on November 01, 2010 12:53 AM:
wow... 4x8's out of 1/4" material? really? I'd have never thought of that... but then we don't have aluma-panel or poly-metal here either...
I'm guessing the whole things is buckling in the wind, and almost applying leverage against that 1/4" space, rather then just a straight pressure from the wind...
maybe you'll have to upgrade to something like 4 pieces of 48" x 3/4" x 3/4" trim...
Posted by jack wills (Member # 521) on November 01, 2010 02:26 AM:
Tensil strength...Chinese products..?
Posted by Dale Feicke (Member # 767) on November 01, 2010 09:27 AM:
I had bought some brackets from one of my suppliers that were supposed to be for 1/2 inch. They must have been some foreign crap, made for metric stuff. Not only were they extremely tight, almost impossible to get on 1/2 inch, but they were made in pieces, the front and back were "tabbed" and pushed thru the back piece...no welding done. When you spread the jaws open a little to make them fit over the 1/2, it would loosen the push fit of the tabs, making them susceptible to falling apart.
I complained, sent them back, and have been getting ones from them currently that fit and are made of one piece. Sometimes bitching works.
Posted by Mark Matyjakowski (Member # 294) on November 01, 2010 09:35 AM:
not sure exactly the bracket you're using but it seems to me a 6 mil. 4x8 would do a bit of flexing(even in a small amount of wind)... 4 u brackets hardly seems enough (not knowing exactly what yours look like)
Posted by Steve Luck (Member # 5292) on November 01, 2010 01:07 PM:
I thought that a 4x8 out of 6mil alupanel was pretty strong, but it does flex and bow in the wind which causes the smaller super U brackets to snap from the tension. A stringer at the top and bottom would eliminate the flexing problem, but adding to the cost, time and hassle.
But if I have to replace all of the wonderful U brackets that I've used at my cost, it wasn't a great deal after all.
This is why I posted my problem so anyone else thinking this would be a quick and easy solution for mounting a sign between two post would NOT DO WHAT I DID! The sign panel is great material to work with, but it will need stronger support for installation. I KNOW THAT NOW.
I am going back to making my own angled aluminum brackets and using stronger supports.
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