posted
I am working on a large 6' x 48' sign comprised of a dozen 6' x 4' upright panels. Having never ordered this material before I was a little annoyed with the plastic core extending close to 1/8" past the aluminum along the long edges of the sheet.
Question #1..... anyone have a quick and easy way to trim the plastic core flush with the aluminum for a cleaner joint? I was thinking of using a little hand plane but maybe someone has a speedier solution to knock off 12 sheets.
Question #2..... could the protective vinyl sheet serve as a hand-cut paint mask?
Thank you in advance for your thoughts!
-------------------- Happy Signing...... Marty
M.F. (Marty) Happy Signmaker Since 1974 Happy Ad Sign & Design Regina SK, Canada S4N 5K4 306-789-9567 happyad@sasktel.net www.happyad.ca
Get Happy & Get Noticed! Posts: 773 | From: Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada | Registered: Jan 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
Maybe I am missing something, but why aren't you using alumalite? I did a 7'x 27'x 1/4". The only thing that I would change would be that I would use 1/2"
-------------------- Laura Butler Vision Graphics & Sign 4479 Welch Rd Attica, Mi 48412 Posts: 2855 | From: Attica, Mi, USA | Registered: Nov 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
any number of ways to rip off the 1/8" edge but you need to make sure they are straight or else you will end up with gaps along your butt joint.
I tried to use the plastic as a paint mask once before and got horrible results. You might be able to if you work very fast then remove the mask as quickly as possible.
It crinkled up and the paint bled under the edge. I flipped it over and just laid vinyl instead.
-------------------- Bob Stephens Skywatch Signs Zephyrhills, FL
posted
Hey Marty......careful ! You don't want gaps along your butt joint!!! (sorry ....couldn't resist) tee hee Anyways...I love the stuff. I get mine cut at the supplier....so I don't know how you can fix your problem. I use polymetal (dibond) almost for every sign it seems. It really is nice stuff.
Posts: 3729 | From: Seattle | Registered: Sep 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
Since I haven't had the need to get my own panel saw yet, the supplier I buy a lot of substrates from will do cuts for me even on stuff I brought in from another source. 72" cuts on 1 or 2 sides of 12 sheets sounds like too big a job for a utility knife IMO
posted
Marti, I have experienced the same. Two methods (router or skillsaw/beltsander), both requiring a nice stiff straightedge that you should already have. If you don't have a straightedge, use one of the other panels clamped to the one that you are trimming. The router will work fast and easy with an upright flat cutting bit.
Laura, If you have ever used Dibond, you should find it a much superior product, even with the vinyl problem. I attempted to change the thought pattern of the Alumalite makers, to at least offer a comparable product, but the declined and reverted to their corrugated core product. A year ago, I couldn't get Dibond within 200 miles of here, and now after much begging, have 4 major distributors carrying it, finally. My only regret is, now my competitors have the same advantages that I have.
-------------------- "Don't change horses in midstream, unless you spot one with longer legs" bronzeo oti Jack Davis 1410 Main St Joplin, MO 64801 www.imagemakerart.com jack@imagemakerart.com Posts: 1549 | From: Joplin, MO | Registered: Mar 2000
| IP: Logged |
i had the exact same problem with 10 sheets of dibond making up a sign of 8ftx40ft. another thing to watch for is the fact that the sheets were not square. that could present a problem to you if your frame is made to maesure. measure each diagonal and see if they match.
on your current problem just use a snap off craft knife and use the aluminum as a guide.
-------------------- Miles Cullinane, Cork, Ireland.
From the sometimes sunny south of Ireland, Posts: 914 | From: Cork, Ireland | Registered: Jul 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
Wayne, The only two that may be in your area are Glantz, and possibly Regal Plastics. Dibond has a factory now in Kentucky, and here is there number 1-800-626-3365. They will guide you to your closest source.
-------------------- "Don't change horses in midstream, unless you spot one with longer legs" bronzeo oti Jack Davis 1410 Main St Joplin, MO 64801 www.imagemakerart.com jack@imagemakerart.com Posts: 1549 | From: Joplin, MO | Registered: Mar 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
Marty the Best way I have found to trim that annoying squeeze is with a flush trim router bit. Just clamp your staightedge at the alum edge and run the bit down the edge and it will remove it slicker then you know what and leave a nice square edge.
WAAAHOO My First post... Hi ThereI just Joined the letterville
[ April 30, 2003, 07:51 PM: Message edited by: William DeBekker ]
posted
Hi Marty , we just use a sharp knife also to trim. Another thing to watch out for is it seems to be a bit different length all the time 96.5, 97".
-------------------- Colleen Henderson Signs Now, Thunder Bay, ON signsnow@tbaytel.net Posts: 140 | From: Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jun 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
Hey Marty, I run into a lady last night, who told me at great length about the wonderful, funny, unusual sign she saw at the dentist in Regina. She went on to say "I think it was done by Happy Signs". Talk about getting my attention. I want to see a picture of that sign, pretty please (Off topic, I know)
posted
Yeah Lotti..... I was responsible for that one! I guess it has been getting incredible feedback according to the staff. I have yet to get a decent photo of it after 3 tries. The two shades of purple and the gold leaf just don't photgraph well. My flash seems to wash it out too much and without the flash it's just not lit well enough. I'll keep trying and share with y'all eventually.
-------------------- Happy Signing...... Marty
M.F. (Marty) Happy Signmaker Since 1974 Happy Ad Sign & Design Regina SK, Canada S4N 5K4 306-789-9567 happyad@sasktel.net www.happyad.ca
Get Happy & Get Noticed! Posts: 773 | From: Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada | Registered: Jan 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
I didn't mention this in my earlier post, but anytime you get mis-sized or weeping plastic innercore you have probably got a second. I have noticed a lot of it sold and many suppliers picking up bundles with minor problems for half price. I bought some last week knowing this was the case for about 50.00 a sheet. 1 1/2 inches oversized (untrimmed) and with the weeping innercore. It also had a mild ripple in it. Suppliers should not be offering this up for first quality materials, but I will bet it happens a lot. Dibond, needs to keep a watch on this.
-------------------- "Don't change horses in midstream, unless you spot one with longer legs" bronzeo oti Jack Davis 1410 Main St Joplin, MO 64801 www.imagemakerart.com jack@imagemakerart.com Posts: 1549 | From: Joplin, MO | Registered: Mar 2000
| IP: Logged |
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
(sorry ....couldn't resist) tee hee
![[Cool]](cool.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic