Double-sided Wooden Sign with Panels

[Gino]

Then, you're missing the point of this forum.

My understanding was to learn something and learn it well and when you knew your trade, you went out on your own and did professional work. However, as you can see by the posts, questions, requests and other silly things people ask...... the vast majority of people don't have a clue as to what they're doing. however, they refer to this as their industry. It astounds me, how many people here and other sign forums don't have a clue as to how to do some of the most menial tasks and seriously ask you to solve a dumb common sense question.

Rather than ruin this guy's thread, maybe some of us could begin a new one. I don't wanna come down on anyone in particular, but c'mon......

 

[Marlene]

Then, you're missing the point of this forum.

My understanding was to learn something and learn it well and when you knew your trade, you went out on your own and did professional work. However, as you can see by the posts, questions, requests and other silly things people ask...... the vast majority of people don't have a clue as to what they're doing. however, they refer to this as their industry. It astounds me, how many people here and other sign forums don't have a clue as to how to do some of the most menial tasks and seriously ask you to solve a dumb common sense question.

Rather than ruin this guy's thread, maybe some of us could begin a new one. I don't wanna come down on anyone in particular, but c'mon......

ruin it by what? we are talking about how to make a sign. he is asking legit questions and people are giving their ideas. some will be good, some ideas not so much. what's the problem? if you are a pro you usually aren't asking the how much or the how at all so I assumed the OP has not made signs like this and it really isn't rocket science but it does take talent and a knowledge of materials. I suggested redwood but in the OP's area, that might not be a great idea as it is subject to bugs and such. the HDU just might be what the OP needs so it doesn't rot. with a sign that size going between posts, making a back to back HDU with a substrate that won't rot in the middle just might be the best plan. once blasted and painted, it will look like wood or as close to wood as HDU can look. I thought this is what we do on the site and that is talk signs and how to make them.

 

[nolanola]

The thread is getting hot.
Thank you for your time, attention and advice!
I just got off the meeting.

So, there will be two 6x6 feet redwood cedar posts, 3,5x6 sandblasted wooden panel made of glued boards 2,5″ thick, replaceable wooden panels with hand painted names that will be held by studs with wooden caps over the nuts.
The panel will be attached to the posts at 4 points, 2 on each side.

I have glued redwood blanks before, the largest i made was 3x3 feet, 2,5″ thick. I used marine grade epoxy. Worked out good.
They do not want it to be painted.
What finish should I use? Matte polyurethane?

What am I missing?

Thank you!

 

[Gino]

I'd go a little higher with the posts. Mine is scaled and the posts are 6" x 6". Yours look to be closer to 8" x's or something maybe bigger. This should go in the ground about 4' and to do it in certain municipalities, you'll hafta get permits and find out if they need cement or not. 10/4". Never used it. I know they make beams and things that thick, but you hafta be careful if it's end grain or not. Otherwise, your blasting will look like sh!t.
I also never heard of redwood cedar anything. You're combining two terms. It's one or the other. I use two part resorcinol boat glue for all my joints and keep them clamped for at least 72 hours, especially in colder weather. Never had a failure. The wood will break somewhere other than a seam with that stuff. Largest I made was almost 8' tall by 22' long. Horizontal grain.

 

[nolanola]

My mistake. I wanted to say red cedar.

Thank you!

 

[rossmosh]

Just a few opinions:

1. For the individual panels think cut vinyl rather than carved wood. There's a reason why you don't see many carved signs with letters sub 1" and most of the time those types of signs are vinyl. It just works better.

2. Your bolting is massively under engineered. If you decide to go with wood, that panel is going to weigh hundreds of pounds. I would personally combine several different fasteners. I would have the main panel sit on a cross brace and then run several big lag bolts into the sign. I'd also be very very tempted to run aluminum angle to further keep the panel in place. No one will every complain when you build something to last.

3. While some may argue strongly for wood, there is a reason why the industry is moving away from wood. The reality is, it doesn't last as long as the plastic/foam alternatives. It can be more expensive. It's less consistent. It's heavy. It's often not as easy to work with. Based on the example shown, nothing about that screams "wood". My opinion is it's clear that you aren't going to fab this sign in house. As a result, you need to find a wholesale dimensional sign company to work with and allow them to pick the best materials for the job. Let them design it and guarantee/warranty it.

 

[visual800]

thats why I suggested all aluminum. it seems they want what they see in a picture when they could have a the same look in aluminum. Aluminum would be lighter, more durable,easier to install. Unless you just love to make signs out of 13 different materials

 

[nolanola]

What do you think the right way to price it?

Design: $300.00

Production:
to build the blank $800.00
carpentry $200.00
sandblasting $200.00
finish $200.00
hardware $100.00
unexpected expenses $1000

Installation: $800

Total: $3600.00

Thank you.

 

[fresh]

What do you think the right way to price it?

Design: $300.00

Production:
to build the blank $800.00
carpentry $200.00
sandblasting $200.00
finish $200.00
hardware $100.00
unexpected expenses $1000

Installation: $800

Total: $3600.00

Thank you.

Add a zero to the finishing price and i think you are still a bit low. Honestly, just double that price. You will be kicking and swearing and possibly in tears if you quote them that low. If they balk at $7K, you can come down a little bit, but I wouldn't consider doing this job for much less.

And yes, I've done similar jobs for way too cheap. Whenever I come to a price on a job like this, I tend to add in 10-15% MORE than what I figure would be a reasonable price.

 

[Billct2]

Agree, way too cheap

 

[nolanola]

They think it's too expensive and they want to know how much it would cost to make a single post with six wooden plates hanging from a bracket.
I am thinking if using two 30″ 1/2 studs that go through the 6/4″ wooden plates is a good idea.
What do you think?
Thank you.

 

[fresh]

What is their budget?

And no, I don't think the sign you are suggesting is a good idea. Just scratch that from the drawing board. Bad, bad idea to have all those hanging panels.

You could produce the original sign with MDO, polymetal, and vinyl graphics for significantly less money. But you should find out their budget first and then move on from there at this point. You've already done probably $500 worth of design work. This is where I stop giving options, and say "for X budget, we can do what we can do."

 

[TXFB.INS]

What is their budget?

And no, I don't think the sign you are suggesting is a good idea. Just scratch that from the drawing board. Bad, bad idea to have all those hanging panels.

You could produce the original sign with MDO, polymetal, and vinyl graphics for significantly less money. But you should find out their budget first and then move on from there at this point. You've already done probably $500 worth of design work. This is where I stop giving options, and say "for X budget, we can do what we can do."

this 100%

 

[nolanola]

They say the budget is $2000.

 

[2B]

they are wanting a Rolex for a Timex price

 

[fresh]

they are asking for A LOT for that price.

i would offer this for $2500, installed. The main panel is 4ftx6ft 1" mdo, painted a solid color with some vinyl graphics on the top portion. the inserts are polymetal with vinyl graphics, and I'd drill the holes through the material so you only need one set of nuts/bolts per tenant, not per side.

the posts are pressure treated 4x4s that you can stain or paint.

we've been using a big aluminum U channel to install the face to the posts, its been working out great for us. call a local metal warehouse and see if they have something that would work... the bigger the flanges, the better.

bada bing, bada bang. pay me.

 

[nolanola]

Thank you!
How do you attach the board to the posts?
Where does the U channel go, on the bottom or on the sides?

Thank you again.

 

[fresh]

 

[fresh]

there are a million ways of doing this. we've found this technique to be the best combo of economical, fast, looks good, and is durable.