Ive noticed alot of signmakers on the board dont use MDO anymore, or much less anyway. What do you use? Every sign I do is shaped. What cuts to shape as good as MDO?
Posted by Janette Balogh (Member # 192) on :
Still an MDO fan here. Seems to be working all right for me. I like it's diversity, and I rarely do a square/rectangular sign either.
The hoops with the prep are still worth it for me.
I'd be curious to know what alternatives others have though.
Nettie
Posted by Jeff Ogden (Member # 3184) on :
Does anyone know exactly what MDO is available. The stuff I used to get pre-primed is crap and has no stamps. The unprimed I get from the local lumber yard is stamped B/C.I believe I used to get some that was stamped A/C. And I heard there is plywood out there that is HDO. High density overlay.Are there others?
Posted by Ron Percell (Member # 399) on :
We still use mdo, but it depends on the job.
.080 Aluminum, anything less dents too much for me.
P.V.C.(Sentra) only on interior, still warps too much, and the thicker product is too heavy
H.D.U.
Redwood & Cedar
1/4" Plate Glass
Showcard
Floresent Paper stock
All of the aluminum covered products dent to easily for me.
Posted by Ron Percell (Member # 399) on :
Jeff, I believe you might be getting the cement form grade, there are around 30 grades of mdo on the market.
Posted by Mike Barnes (Member # 2277) on :
MDO mostly here. Lately it has been a problem finding good quality stuff and a dependable supplier. I've used some pre-primed, and haven't had any problems with it (yet??). Also use some aluminum too.
As with John, some alternatives 'wood' be nice to know about and sample
Sorry........I couldn't resist saying 'wood', y'all know I can't spell anyway. <grin>
Posted by Murray MacDonald (Member # 3558) on :
We are using alot of dibond, some intecel and signply. Gave up buying lumberyard crezon many years ago when half a lift failed - they used interior grade plywood. Started buying mdo from sign supplier 250 km away and paying the shipping.Almost never do a rectangular 4 x 8 and all three of these allow for shaping etc. And all can be done using the woodworking tools we already have.
Posted by Henry Barker (Member # 174) on :
We use alot of Alcan Signicolor 2mm aluminium, I cut shapes in it, use it in rectangular form and bend the edges in all round 25mm to be able to put it up on a fascia without seeing screws or rivets on the front. We use prepainted and then laminate with vinyl or powdercoat in whatever desired background colour. Its cheaper than coating yourself you get a great finish, and they hold up well in our climate.
Posted by Bob Burns (Member # 268) on :
Strictly 1/4" Alumalite or 1/2" PVC depending on the application. I quit using wood about 3 yrs ago.
Posted by TransLab (Member # 470) on :
Pretty well replaced MDO entirely with Dibond.
Posted by Bob Stephens (Member # 858) on :
Havent used any wood for a few years now. But everything else and lots of it. Dibond, PVC, acrylic plexiglass, HDU, Aluminum, Komacel are my primary materials that we use.
Posted by Jean Shimp (Member # 198) on :
I like to use MDO for 4x8 site signs that get nailed to wood 4x4 posts. Sign Supply sell "Ready to Go" board for around $60 a sheet single face ready to apply graphics to. These signs are often relocated during construction and sometimes take abuse. The wood is strong enough to withstand this rough handling.
Posted by John Deaton III (Member # 925) on :
For those of you still using MDO, this company will ship, freight of course, and the quality is good. Harbor Sales Posted by Mikes Mischeif (Member # 1744) on :
Roger that John, and Harbor is the only place I could find 5x10 1/2 MDO sheets. I edge cap everything thats MDO. It seems to want ot seperate the moment you get it off the truck. With this years record rainfall here (27" so far) it's gonna be wet for a very long time.
Posted by Robert Larkham (Member # 2913) on :
I get my MDO from Garston Sign Supply. NEVER had any troubles with it. I use some PVC but don't like the expand and contrast deal. I seal my MDO with Tite Bond II wood workers glue and have NO troubles with seperation. Try it it works.
Posted by Frank Horrell (Member # 3856) on :
Does anyone use Medex Board? Even after a couple of imported, unfiltered, roll your owns we could not be mistaken as signmakers. We do make hundreds of panels every day but suspect that ours would not be sought after in your panel swaps. We produce custom cabinets and taxidermy panels using CNC equipment. Just for fun, we have made yard and house signs for family and friends and a couple of for pay signs for taxidermy customers (they did the painting). All of the signs were made with Medex Board. We chose Medex because it has no interior voids like MDO and experience with plywood and wood composites indicates that both will deteriorate at about the same rate. Have any of you tried it or have any thoughts about it?
Thanks, Frank Horrell CEO (Chief Equipment Operator) Kaleidoscope Panels
Posted by goddinfla (Member # 1502) on :
I believe Medex is French for mush, which is what Medex becomes pretty quickly in exterior use. When it first came out they pushed it pretty hard. Soon found out it CANNOT be used outside.
Posted by Henry Barker (Member # 174) on :
Hi Frank,
I actually think ext medite is OK, I think where most people have problems is in proper preparation, there is a really good technical know how brochure available from www.willamette-europe.com on, cutting machining, painting and finishing, ext medite avoiding straight edges, rounding corners to avoid altering uniformity in paint coverage.
Its popular outdoors here in Europe....but then what do us europeans know
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