posted
I have a job in progress that is a 4'x6' piece of 2" HDU. Plans were to install it on 2 4"x4" treated posts. It's going to be just a few feet off of the ground in a landscaped area. My question is what's the best way to attach the HDU to the posts? With a piece of MDO (new const. site type sign)I would just run screws through the face into the post but you obviously can't do that with HDU.
I have a few ideas but I'd really like some feedback from those of you who have done more work with HDU than I have. Thanks,
-------------------- Rob McCauley
Production Manager Archway Graphic Designs a Division of Sign Express, Inc. www.signexpress.tv Little Rock, Ar 501.224.0227 --- The most beautiful thing about a tree is what you do with it after you cut it down. ;-) Posts: 53 | From: Little Rock, Ar | Registered: Feb 2002
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posted
Rob, you are right on target with your own suggestion of mounting with screws through the face. I often use either stainless screws on the smaller signs or hot-dipped galvanized lag bolts and washers on the larger signs and just paint over them. Werks fer me......... I bet it'll werk fer you too !!!
[ April 29, 2003, 05:55 PM: Message edited by: John Smith ]
-------------------- John Smith Kings Bay Signs (Retired) Kissimmee, Florida Posts: 822 | From: Central Florida - The Sunshine State | Registered: Jan 2000
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I totally agree with John. Screw it or lag and paint the heads. If it were 1 1/2 materail or less or over a 6 ft span I might consider other options, but in this case go with your gut!
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Nobody is asking the opbvious question: Is this sign single or double faced? If it is single faced and you have the posts behind the sign, you can either laminate a sheet of MDO or (preferably) Dibond to the back of the sign, or attach 1"x4" boards between the posts and screw the signs to them from behind. I try to avoid having screws through the face of an HDU sign if I can help it.
If in fact this is a DF sign and you are looking to put it between posts, that's a whole 'nuther breed of dog.
-------------------- "A wise man concerns himself with the truth, not with what people believe." - Aristotle
Cam Bortz Finest Kind Signs Pondside Iron works 256 S. Broad St. Pawcatuck, Ct. 06379 "Award winning Signs since 1988" Posts: 3051 | From: Pawcatuck,Connecticut USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
It is single sided Cam, sorry I forgot to mention that. In the past, on a sign that had the posts on either end, in other words the sign suspended in the middle of the posts on brackets, we've used angle iron that get screwed into pre-drilled holes filled with epoxy or PB Bond. I just wanted to see if there was better way that I was missing out on. I've seen signs we have taken down in the past that were laminated to wood. It looked as though that defeated the purpose of using HDU, since over time, the wood warped and the HDU had no choice but to warp with it.
Thanks for the advice guys!
-------------------- Rob McCauley
Production Manager Archway Graphic Designs a Division of Sign Express, Inc. www.signexpress.tv Little Rock, Ar 501.224.0227 --- The most beautiful thing about a tree is what you do with it after you cut it down. ;-) Posts: 53 | From: Little Rock, Ar | Registered: Feb 2002
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There seems to be a reoccurring theme here. I have but one piece advice for everyone. Whether you use Sign•Foam or one of the other HDU’s, please stay away from plywood, even MDO. I don’t care how well you seal it, treat it or charm it…..it will not remain stable. As the quality of lumber continues to decline, so goes the quality of the lumber byproducts.
I don’t need to hear from you guys who are as old as dirt saying how you have MDO signs in the field for 10-15 years without a problem. The materials available today are not as good and never will be again.
You may save a few dollars at the front end, but believe me; I am getting WAY too many calls regarding sign failures involving hdu/plywood hybrids.
Regards, Joe
-------------------- "I don't bother saying anything that doesn't take a long time to say"
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