I have to make a 4x12 painted wood sign to go against a wall. I'm going to use 3/4 MDO and planned on joining a 4x8 with a 4x4. I was going to join the two pieces by screwing/gluing 2x6x8 wood planks on the back of the sign, across the seams. Is this a good way to do it?
The outside edge of the MDO will be covered with plastic edge capping. What should I do about the seam between the 4x8 and 4x4 - wood putty the edges? Put Gorilla glue in there? Put wood putty in there and sand it down to try and hide the seam? ( I told the customer a seam might show and she has no problem with that)
thanks!
Posted by Robert Larkham (Member # 2913) on :
Peter-
They make an "H" molding for this purpose. It is like a double sided channel molding which will accept both pieces of MDO. I have used it in the past and it works great. It is a tight fit and can be tricky to get on.
Posted by Duncan Wilkie (Member # 132) on :
Peter, We usually make a "sandwich" consisting of a back panel bonded to a face panel with offset seams. Screw and glue the backer from behind. In this case I would use two layers of 11mm MDO. We have also used biscuits and outdoor glue Cheers.
[ April 30, 2002, 08:04 PM: Message edited by: Duncan Wilkie ]
Posted by Steve Purcell (Member # 1140) on :
Spice across the seam with 3/4" mdo, which will move at the same rate as the panel.
Rip the edges at supplementary angles to avoid a butt joint.
Glue up with West System, lightly filleted.
oops, I meant splice. Filleting is a thickener for the w.s. scp
[ May 01, 2002, 05:07 PM: Message edited by: Steve Purcell ]
Posted by Peter Manzolillo (Member # 1062) on :
sandwich...biscuits...spice...filleted...
I see a trend here - are you guys posting during lunch?? thanks fellas!
Posted by Bill Preston (Member # 1314) on :
Hi Peter,
FWIW, I wouldn't put the seam off-center-- it is sort of a visual clinker. Even though you would have to cut two full panels, I would use 1/2 inch good both sides MDO, and cut them to four foot by six foot. Wood putty and acrylic latex all the edges, prime and paint the panels before assembling to pressure treated 2x4s on the back.
On a fire house sign a few years ago, I fastened the panels to the back frame with round head brass screws evenly spaced, put a piece of 2x4 behind the center seam, brass screwed both panels, and just let the screws be part of the design. Sure, they tarnish, but they don't rust and streak.
Most thing about the 3/4 MDO is, I think you will wind up with a sign that is a lot heavier than it needs to be.
On the pressure treated back frame just paint the same color as the face, but without priming. Thin the paint some and let it act more like a stain.
![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
oops, I meant splice. ![[Razz]](tongue.gif)