Can i span .040 aluminum 4ft??

[NewSignmaker]

Can I safely span .040 aluminum 4ft between 2 poles without it getting crazy wavy? These are about 6ft above the ground.

 

[Malkin]

Nope, Even 4mm DiBond would be a poor choice.

 

[Pat Whatley]

Not a chance. Even if it looks good when you put it up changing temperatures are gonna oilcan that panel horribly.

 

[Mosh]

Yes! If you bend a 1" lip on the top and bottom and glue foam to the back. Also you wil need to put a peice of .040 on the back of the sign. Makes a nice rigid sign. Or use some 1/4" max max-metal or alumalite.

 

[ova]

I agree with Mosh on the 1" lip, but if you are dead set on using just one sheet of .040 and nothing else, I would first put a small X crease from corner to corner. Just enough to give it some stiffness, but not enough so it looks like a bend.

I still think no matter what you do, just using the .040 by it's self will run you into some trouble down the road and end up costing you money.

 

[UFB Fabrication]

Simply No

 

[Brandon708]

no good reason use .040 for that unless it's the only thing you have. I would suggest a plywood backer.

 

[smdgrfx]

We do it with 3mm Dibond all the time, but we add a header and footer. In other words, frame it out. With a frame, we have no problems.

 

[jscarl]

Not by itself. Will wrinkle.

 

[CL Graphics]

why. just use alumalite