posted
This one might be a bit out of our league. Customer wants an 11'x11' MDO sign mounted on the top of a building near the edge. My guess would be to build an 11x11 frame from 2x4's and assemble the 11x11 from cut MDO pieces. All I can think of is to mount about three long posts to the ground, lying down on the roof. Then mount the sign to the posts with some diagonal support posts? I don't like the idea of drilling into a roof but I don't see anyway around it.
What would you charge for something like this? Oh and I forgot, there's another sign going right next to it that's roughly 8'x10'.
Thanks in advance.
------------------ Bruce Evans Chromark Design-A-Sign Covina , CA bruce@chromark.net
Posts: 913 | From: Chino, CA | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
Bruce, if you're going to have to drill anyway, use guy wires and turnbuckles.
------------------ St.Marie Graphics & Makin' Tracks Sound Studio Kalispell, Montana stmariegraphics@centurytel.net http://www.stmariegraphics.com 800 735-8026 We're chiseling every day of the week! :^)
posted
If its a steel roof, use the existing screw holes with new roof screws and a little silicone for the guy wire anchors. Or you can measure the pitch of the roof with a spirit level and tape measure using whatever increments you're most comfortable with ie: 1" fall over 3' etc, then make an out of square L shaped bracket from angle iron or your preferred material, which when screwed to the roof will give you a plumb sign and plenty of meat in the structure to anchor your guy wires etc to. If you dont have the facility to cut and weld, any steel shop will make you something like this for little expense. If you design it with longditudinal battens between the L brackets you may be able to forego the guy wires. David
------------------ David Fisher D.A. & P.M. Fisher Services Brisbane Australia da_pmf@yahoo.com
Posts: 1450 | From: Brisbane Queensland Australia | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
Do you have any idea what the wind load on that is? Do you realize that the liability you're exposing yourself to far exceeds the value of the sign?
You'll probably need a welded steel frame with lots of diagonal bracing that ties into structural members of the building.
Safest way to do this is to first have the customer hire a structural engineer. Most any municipality will require the engineered drawings for a permit anyway. Once you have the approved means of doing the job, then you can bid on it.
I sure wouldn't risk loosing the farm.
------------------ The SignShop Mendocino, California "Where the Redwoods meet the Surf"
Posts: 6806 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
I agree with Rick.Some jobs COST more they are worth.If you are very intent on this.Structual Engineer,all permits,and inspectors need to be included.Wost comes to worst OVER BUILD!the frame to fit any substrate into.Why 11'x11'when 8 plus 4equals 12??? you gonna charge for having to cut off the extra foot"Keep it Standard and Keep it Safe"By the way those are called GUIDE WIRES!! used for stability. Not"guy" wire hope this helps
------------------ PKing is Pat King of King Sign Design in McCalla,Alabama The Professor of SIGNOLOGY
Posts: 3113 | From: Pompano Beach, FL. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
When I worked at the big sign shop, we did this stuff all the time. But we had a crane, welders, steel cutters, evertything!
If this was their job (my mentor's job), they would have ordered 2" square steel tubing, made me cut all the pieces and weld up a frame, clean it and pirme/paint it.
Next we would bolt MDO or really thick aluminum over the frame.
Then angle iron back supports would be cut, drilled and ready to bolt in as soon as the sign was craned into position.
On the roof, steel "T" plates would be bolted down to the roof with very long lag screws and tar would be placed over the top of the plate. These serve to secure the angle iron braces to the roof.
Everything is thought out ten times over, every "i" is dotted, every "t" is crossed. People get killed when a sign blows off a roof into a parking lot.
Good luck!
------------------ Draper The Signmaker Bloomington Illinois USA
Get To A Letterhead Meet This Summer! See you there! 309-828-7110 drapersigns@hotmail.com Draper_Dave on mIRC chat
Posts: 2883 | From: Bloomington Illinois USA | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
Pat, I hate to be pedantic but I'm gunna anyway...
*** GUY *** Guy (?) , n. [Sp. -guia guide, a guy or small rope used on board of ships to keep weighty things in their places; of Teutonic origin, and the same word as . -guide . See Guide , and cf. Gye .] A rope, chain, or rod attached to anything to steady it; as: a rope to steady or guide an object which is being hoisted or lowered; a rope which holds in place the end of a boom, spar, or yard in a ship; a chain or wire rope connecting a suspension bridge with the land on either side to prevent lateral swaying; a rod or rope attached to the top of a structure, as of a derrick, and extending obliquely to the ground, where it is fastened.
*** GUY *** Guy , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Guyed (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Guying .] To steady or guide with a guy.
Taken from http://www.concordance.com/dictionary.htm It notes "the same word as . -guide" Personally I've never heard them called guide wires but perhaps thats a locality thing.
David
------------------ David Fisher D.A. & P.M. Fisher Services Brisbane Australia da_pmf@yahoo.com
[This message has been edited by David Fisher (edited July 02, 2001).]
Posts: 1450 | From: Brisbane Queensland Australia | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
Thanks David; we call them "guy" wires too.
Bruce you don't say how high the building is. One storey? Two? Three? But really though if you don't do this kind of work you might be be better off passing on it, or sub the structure part out.
We do this kind of work all the time, but don't ask us to put a digital print on a truck...it's just not our type of work.
Something else...even if it's a one storey building there isn't a municipal engineer that I can think of that would give a permit for this with a 2x4 frame.
------------------ Dennis Veenema The Sign Shop Dresden, Ont. & GigaBytes Plus
"Don't worry, it only seems kinky the first time."
posted
Thanks for all the replies. I think were gonna pass on the job. It doesn't sound fun and too much risk is involved. Anyone know of a company in the Southern California area that might be interested in it. I'd gladly point them directly to you.
The job is for a rehabilitation center and the roof is approximately 32' high.
------------------ Bruce Evans Chromark Design-A-Sign Covina , CA bruce@chromark.net
Posts: 913 | From: Chino, CA | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
Good Plan I never get above 12 ft without a lift! Bill Life is too short to risk it on a sign!
------------------ Bill & Barbara Biggs Art's Sign Service, Inc. Clute, Texas, USA Home of The Great Texas Mosquito Festival Proud Third year Supporter of the Letterheads Website MailTo:twobeesusa@netscape.net
Posts: 1020 | From: Lake Jackson,Tx | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
Printer-friendly view of this topic