Edge Finishing Alumalite

[signman315]

I'm wondering if anybody knows of a slick way to finish the edges on Alumalite?....I have used edge capping before but I'm looking for something that is lower profile and can potentially have vinyl wrapped over it. The end goal is a lightweight wayfinding sign that will hang above people and have a clean finished edge. I've also considered 10mm PVC but it's too heavy for this particular application. Thanks ahead of time!

 

[bob]

You can easily re-form the cut edges of aluminum laminates. I use a brass bar others use the round shaft of a large screwdriver but most anything will do. I run my brass bar over the edges at some angle or another with sufficient pressure to re-form the edge into a slight curve just like the factory edge and, at the same time, removing any burrs left over from cutting the material. After you re-form the edges it's simple to wrap vinyl over them. This is a far better method than dressing the edges via abrasives, files, or cutting instruments. Like a lot of things, it's far easier to do than to describe.

 

[signman315]

Thanks Bob! I'm probably going to be using roughly 1/2" thick substrate, do you think the vinyl wrapped around the edge is going to crack/break over time? I would probably use something like oracal 3551RA w/ 215 overlaminate. I'm worried the material could expand/contract over time and temperature, and cause the vinyl to fail on the wrapped edges. I guess I will have to do a little testing Thanks so much for your input!

 

[J Hill Designs]

alumalite has the corrugated core, correct? I don't think I would want to edge wrap that stuff.

 

[signman315]

you got it, corrugated core...my concern exactly. There is no solid core to wrap the vinyl onto, and "edge capping" looks bad, pops off the surface too much. I'm not sure there is a product out there that is similar to "edge capping" but maybe is thinner or flush mounts somehow but that would be ideal....thanks folks!

 

[pjfmeister]

you might check this out...
http://fastframer.com/

 

[Gino]

you might check this out...
http://fastframer.com/

That stuff is pretty much interior only. Very limited outside use.

Is this system gonna be inside or out ??

Why not use something like gatorboard and what the previous poster mentioned will work swimmingly, especially if no one can touch it.

 

[rjssigns]

Fill the edge with epoxy then wrap. Of course by the time you're done you would have been done if you'd used solid core panels.