posted
I am just curious as to what people out there would use to do a 2 sided carved sign. Would you use HDU, Mahogoney, or Cedar. Just wondering. I have one to do and I am thinking about using Spanish Cedar just for the strenght, instead of HDU and putting plywood in the center of 2 sheets. Just wondering what other people are doing. JAKE
-------------------- Jake Lyman Lyman Signs 45 State Road Phillipston, MA 01331 Posts: 635 | From: Phillipston, MA | Registered: Sep 2002
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This question has too many variables for most people to respond to.
The choice of materials may include the finish look, type of rendering, cost, and type of design application.
I would suggest you post a drawing, showing what the proposed sign, and tell us about your client and what they expect. A genera price would help.
Joe Crumley
-------------------- Joe Crumley Norman Sign Company 2200 Research Park Blvd. Norman, OK 73069 Posts: 1428 | From: 2200 Research Park Blvd. | Registered: Sep 2001
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First, I think that it would be bad judgement to laminate 2 pieces of wood to a plywood core. Without a long winded explanation, I believe the two are not compatable. If I was going with wood, Mahogany would be my choice....... because I can't get Spanish cedar here. You said it was going to be carved....by hand or CNC? Depending on your skill carving wood vs CNC.....there are different requirements for the substraight.....like Joe said......lotsa variables! Just don't use the plywood!
Joe, Makin Chips and Havin Fun!
-------------------- Joe Cieslowski Connecticut Woodcarvers Gallery P.O.Box 368 East Canaan CT 06024 jcieslowski@snet.net 860-824-0883 Posts: 2345 | From: East Canaan CT 06024 | Registered: Nov 2001
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posted
Sounds like something I do regularly. I usually use a single slab of redwood. It grows here and I have access to it and it is stable in its native environment. Not the easiest to carve, but very doable. Laminating 2x12's works also, but I usually find a way to insert a band of steel angle iron into the ends to help prevent any warping if the sign is going somewhere where it can't be turned around every other year. If it's mounted between posts, they can stabilize it. I prefer a single slab though.
-------------------- The SignShop Mendocino, California
Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. — Charles Mingus Posts: 6714 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
What I meant on the laminating with plywoos was if I was going to use HDU I would add the plywood for extra strength. I will carve it on the CNC machine. I I go with the Spanish cedar it will be 2" thich planks. I won't be gluing them together for added thickness. I guess what I am wondering is if you think it is better to go with wood or HDU for something that is 4'X 8'and why. I have used both substrates before and been very happy with each but never on anytnhing this big.
-------------------- Jake Lyman Lyman Signs 45 State Road Phillipston, MA 01331 Posts: 635 | From: Phillipston, MA | Registered: Sep 2002
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posted
If you are going to laminate a center core for stability while using HDU... let me suggest you use .063 to .090 aluminum. It won't take on water and nothing could be any stronger.
Another good choice would be Dibond!
-------------------- "Werks fer me...it'll werk fer you"
with the sky rocketing cost of aluminum and the added labor to adhere it to the HDU, why not just use solid mahogany and be done with it. I have never seen spanish cedar but the cedar I have used is not very durable upon impact. with a 4x8 sign double sided I'd just keep it simple.
With a router, mahogany should not be a time factor as compared to carving by hand.
-------------------- Bob Rochon Creative Signworks Millbury, MA 508-865-7330
"Life is Like an Echo, what you put out, comes back to you." Posts: 5149 | From: Millbury, Mass. U.S. | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
I do what Monte says with the HDU and I have used Dibond and Alumalite for the centers with Polyurethane glue. I prefer Titebond brand but they should all work for the most part.
-------------------- Amy Brown Life Skills 101 Private Address Posts: 3502 | From: Lake Helen, FL, USA | Registered: Feb 2001
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posted
Hey Jake, Redwood can be used, although on a 4'x8' sign it is going to want to warp over time with the lower quality of wood available now days. As far as using HDU, you can laminate (2) 1" or 1.5" boards together. For added strenght, you can route grooves in the back of each peice and put threaded rod, angle iron or rebarb in the channel before gluing the peices together. Gorilla glue (or similar polyurethane glue) will work although with the expansion, the pieces could be pushed apart during the curing process if not clamped properly. Lord adhesive 7400 series is a non-expanding urethane glue that works well. Also, Wes-Systems flexible epoxy is an alternative. Good luck, John Meeks
-------------------- John P Meeks The Sign Shoppe, Inc. Everwood 200 Brozzini Ct. Greenville, SC 29615 864-275-5140 Posts: 44 | From: Greenville, SC | Registered: Oct 2004
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