Aluminum Monument sign: frame and cabinet

[armandolo]

Hi all,

im new to in house monument sign making. I got pinged for several aluminum monument signs but don't know where to start. I took a look at some that are around but couldn't figure out how they are made.

There is an aluminum painted cabinet attached to a frame embedded in concrete. Cabinet diesnt show any screws (maybe screws are ground and painted or its welded)

my question I guess is the steps. Do you make the frame, the. Build the cabinet on it. Hide all the screws (or spot weld onto the frame), then spray paint? If so how do you attach it to the concrete and such.

or do you concrete the frame in and then assemble the cabinet, then do the welding and painting on the spot?

any help or tips are appreciated.

 

[MikePro]

check the top of the monument sign for access.
We will usually concrete-in steel posts, slide monument over top, and weld sign frame (or fasten) to post.

 

[J Hill Designs]

We will usually concrete-in steel posts, slide monument over top, and weld sign frame (or fasten) to post.

+1 - or J-Bolts and bolt it down

9 times out of 10 there is a way to get them open

 

[Rick]

The ones you are working on, are they designed already?

Are they going on a poured in place concrete base?

Is there anything like stone or bar or a reveal on the sign? (that could potentially
hide the attachment)

Single sided or double sided... on a single sided, you don't have much worry
about hiding you means of access to attachment.

and the most important...

Are the internally illuminated. (you will need service access, service access means
a way to attach monuments to a base)

I try to design hidden attachment as much as possible. Most of the
monuments I design have something to hide attachment though
usually some sign shop will find a way to screw it up with some gaping
service panel or do a post attachment like MikePo mention, then pour a
concrete base after and jerk up a sign they can't easily remove.

 

[armandolo]

Thanks for the responses.

Its non eliminated. I attached a picture of the both that i looked at. First one we are to replicate. I did not see any attachments, screws or any way of opening it so have no clue how its made or how that reveal is made.



Second one we are to replace because its in bad shape but again i did not see anything i can open or close from top or bottom. this one shows screw or rivet locations where the paint chipped but everywhere else it looks like the screws were ground then painted over.

 

[Rick]

On the top sign, looks like that base was not made for that monument.

Did you try rocking it back and forth or seeing if it twisted? It may
give you a clue.

The reveal, I would clean it, and see if you see a seam. I would
have hid the attachment there. Post embedded in concrete, then
bolt through that reveal. then epoxy, silicone and/or VHB that in place.

It might be crazy but see if the top lifts up. I've done that and the top lifted
up exposing the attachment.

I would make that second sign in two sections, the bottom bolting to embedded
posts. the top sliding on the reveal, screw top on with flat heads, cover with painted
strip.

The second sign is obvious, the face and sides look like they can be removed.
Unscrew or drill out the rivets/screws. Exposed screws/rivets is the least preferred
method.

In cases where we had to refurbish a sign with hidden attachment, we
would have to saw a hole into it, and reskin later.

 

[armandolo]

Thank You Rick !!! Very helpful!!!

So on the second sign: If it was screwed from the face, (which it was) do you then cover the screws with a weld or something then touch up paint on the spot? (I did not see any exposed screws where there was no damage and wherever they where showing, they were painted over).

 

[Rick]

I don't ever specify screw or rivets, especially on the face.
I have seen sign shops do it, in my opinion... I get that it's
the cheapest way to get access to the bolts/attachment posts
but to always use them is a little lazy. Screws distort the face
when tightened too much

You can use the side or top panels to get to the attachment,
then attach them with VHB, lords adhesive, or preferably
screw them in and paint them over. But leave the screws there
for servicing later.

That sign can be put to together with a welded frame,
then the face panels attached using lords adhesive.
It's very strong, and no issues with cleaning up welds.
Leave the side(s) or top for access. Re-use the old attachment
if it's possible without taking off the faces.

 

[signfab]

+1 for fixings in the reveal, the back of the reveal might be just a cover strip concealing the fixings. I've done this in the past fitting the strip with just a couple of tabs of VHB.