6mm ACM or 5mm AlumaCorr?

It comes down to an old engineering idea, is solid stronger than an arch? In your case both would work suitably

 

For a sign that's only a 4x8, held by the edges, you can use 3mm ACM, 6MM ACM or Alumacorr. They are all strong enough.

 

I would be more skeptical of a 1/4" gouge holding it in place. I have had our shop sign flex and disappear in severe winds (strong storm for us is hurricane for everyone else,lol) and that was held in place with 1x2 fir strip. Frame stayed, sign never found.

 

He said a 1/4" wide by 1" deep notch/groove.

For a 4' x 4' sign, I'd use either or. For a 4' x 8', I'd be using 10mm alumalite.

 

Either of those would work, but if it was me, I'd go with the 6mm acm.

 

I'm of the opinion that 3mm and 6mm are equally strong, the difference is how many screws you need to hold it up, 6mm requiring more due to gravity alone. I can safely say that doubling the amount of recycled plastic does not make it stronger, just heavier. The only reason we use 6mm is if it a face replacement in an old lit cabinet that is no longer lit, or if it dimensional letters cut out and mounted to a panel.

 

I understand what you are saying if it was too be mounted on a wall or had some back support (stringers, plywood, etc.) but from what I understand the sign will be "floating" in the grooves...sorta like shaker cabinetry.

 

6mm is good.

 

Oh, yeah I'd meant to say that while it may work better here since the groove would be cut too wide for 3mm, I'd probably push for a more structural panel, 6mm corrugated with 020 faces or something would be ideal. But I've gotten so tired of my salesmen selling 6mm acm for no reason, that I made them a flow chart! Feel free to tell me how I can improve it...

 

I pulled a muscle in my head with that one........................

 

Go see Jace

 

I would recommend 6mm ACM. I didn't know people were still using Alumacorr anymore. I recall the material often having a wavy looking face. It just always looked so cheap. As ACM became more popular, I saw it as the natural upgrade from Alumacorr.

 

I don't get the Alumacor appeal at all. Other then it weighing less, that stuff dents easily and I don't like the paint job on it AND it's more expensive. 6mm ACM feels as sturdy as MDO without all the drawbacks and for the best price.

 

its a 5 year sign tops. Dont over think things, 6mm acm is fine. Could probably even get by with 3mm with a smaller channel.

 

So, whatever happened ??

 

So. . . . who is going to paint the posts and not ruin your work??