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Anchors & Installs -------------------------------------------- In all the time I've been on this web, I've seen very few posts addressing Installs. The sign industry has changed so quickly, however, installations have remained relitively the same. Each install job must be approached with two things in mind; (1) how the sign will be mounted and (2) what surface it will be mounted to. This inturn will determine the type of installation method, and anchors being used. The sign industry uses many substraits, so naturally there will be many install procedures. Most sign companies use three types of materials: MDO, metal and plastic. However, the sign installer may be asked to mount a sign on a number of any given surfaces; brick, block, concrete, plaster, sheetrock, wood, metal, and so on.. What about anchors? Gee! Where do I start, there are so many. Lags & Shields, Drop-in, expanding, and my favorite the "ZaMac" type. The photo below shows the different type of anchors mostly used.
a: Lags & Shields The "lags" refers to "lag Bolts", and the "shield" refers to the anchor. First a hole is drilled into the surface, pound the shield flush. Lags & Shields are used for most masonry, and concrete. b:Toggle This type is used for walls. A hole is drilled. The "toggle" refers to its anchor method. Place the anchor in the hole, and screw till the toggle creates a "t" on the other side. c: Drive Pins This is the easiest. Drill hole, insert drive anchor, and drive the pin in with a hammer. d: Zamac Anchor & Tool This anchor requires a tool, however this type is the most reliable. Drill hole, Insert anchor. To set the anchor, place the tool over the anchor and "ZaMac" the tool. This will cause the anchor to expand. This type of anchor is mainly used for machine screws. e: Wedge Anchor This type leaves a threded screw to mount to. To set this anchor, drill hole. Next place the hex-head nut on the bolt and give it a couple of turns, till it is flush with the screw. Place the anchor in the hole and hit it a few times with a hammer, this will cause the wedge at the bottom to expand. Remove the nut and mount the sign. f: Sleeve anchors The sleeve anchor is similar to the wedge anchor except it can be used on soft concrete because its compressive load can be distributed over a longer length. If your think`n about doing your own installs, consider the type of tools you'll use; Posthole digger, Level, hammer, battery power tools like; makita drill, and jig saw, ladder(both step & extension) power tools like; hammerdrill, sawsall, skillsaw, extension cord, snap`line
Installing 8X8 MDO (4" off the ground) Real Estate type One(1) Man/1.25hrs. materials: #2, 4"x4"x14', #4, 2"x4"x7' Dig two(2) holes, five feet(5') apart. 36" deep. It is critical that you reach the depth of three feet. Next place one of the 2x4`s horzontally, four feet (4') above the ground, and level. Making the 2x4 into a "stringer", which we will screw the MDO onto. Repete the procedure for two more stingers. Now, place another 2x4, this time skinny side down underneith the bottom stringer. This will create a ledge for you to rest the MDO on while you are mounting the sign with drywall screws.(single man install) Remember to screw the "Ledge" 2x4 to the bottom stringer for later removal. Once the ledge 2X4 is in`place, set the 4x8 MDOs on the ledge, and mount. You needn't level, because the ledge is level with the bottom stringer, and since the stringers are only seven(7) feet long, you'll have about nine(9) inches to play with at either end. Below is a quick sketch of this type of install. Notice, to the right, the "Ledge" 2x4, and how it supports the sheets of MDO.
I hope these few words help you in your endevour to make and install quality signs, and if any of you have questions about other types of installs, please feel free to post them.
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Ya done GOOD there Richard! Glad to see this type of info here!I had rather see this kind of post than the ones complaining bout the poor aspects of "the competitions" poor approach to these procedures any day.Now where did I put that cup of coffee,...
------------------ fly low...timi/NC is,.....Tim Barrow Barrow Art Signs Winston-Salem,NC members.xoom.com/Signz
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