How do you un-roll giant lexan sign faces?

[signmeup]

How do you un-roll lexan panels for lighted sign cabinets? They arrive here rolled up with a strap around them. I cut the strap and fling myself out of the way and hope for the best. There has to be a better way. Please help!

 

[SignManiac]

Staged deployment. Get a length of rope and put a loop on the end. Place the rope around the roll, and put the end of the rope through the loop. Pull tight, then cut the tape on the roll. Let out the rope until it's uncoiled enough to not kill you! At least that's what I would do

 

[signmeup]

Thanks Bob. I noticed you said "would do". Have you tried your method or are you looking for a guinea pig?

I have visions of the local paper next week...."Local man horribly disfigured by rolled plastic". (I've got 3 sitting in the shop for immediate "deployment"...... wish me luck!)

 

[CheapVehicleWrap]

sounds like good advice to me, but I'd have fun letting unsuspecting others cut the strap

 

[AUTO-FX]

grab two beers and deploy the slide. exit the airplane.

 

[signmeup]

I may be the first person to ever collect on one of those cheap insurance policies that you have to sever one arm and one leg on opposite sides.... I'm going to finish my tea and try Bob's "rope trick". Unless someone pipes up with a better idea. (I don't have an apprentice so that's out. I could go see if I can find the village idiot.)

 

[fmg]

2 people normally do the trick.

 

[TheSellOut]

Good thread Karate Cake! I do the same thing as you, so hopefully someone has a better method! Maniac, I might have to try that technique next time.

 

[Baz]

Could you set up a camera before you commence your deployments! C'mon ... so we could all share the pain and laughter :ROFLMAO:

 

[signage]

Yea and make sure the camera is out of the way so it doesn't get broke! We all want to see this:ROFLMAO:

 

[signmeup]

Could you set up a camera before you commence your deployments! C'mon ... so we could all share the pain and laughter :ROFLMAO:

You're just evil. Santa forgot my video camera last year so no vid. I got 2 opened with only a minor contusion to my shin. I came in for my TKD shin and knee pads for the last one. The rope was better than just cutting the strap....

 

[CheapVehicleWrap]

On the upside one's body temperature must rise several degrees when that sucker flings open. Have you ever tried rolling one back up?

 

[signage]

On the upside one's body temperature must rise several degrees when that sucker flings open. Have you ever tried rolling one back up?

This is going to be his next question in a week or two

 

[washingtonsignguy]

Rolling back up is even more dangerous. Suspend yourself from the cieling, mission impossible style and cut away. I always have a helper on this thing, which helps alot.

 

[signmeup]

The third one when like a charm. I remembered my old Fuji took video so I have the event for posterity. Don't know how to post it here though. It's an avi file if that helps.

 

[signmeup]

Rolling back up is even more dangerous. Suspend yourself from the ceiling, mission impossible style and cut away. I always have a helper on this thing, which helps alot.

That won't work. The first one nearly hit the ceiling. It would have severed the rope for sure. I would have plunged to my doom.

The helper idea seems to be the best. Just give them a pair of shears and go "get the coffee"... yeah... that's the ticket....

 

[signage]

Now how are you going to get them to the job site

 

[signmeup]

Now how are you going to get them to the job site

Beats me. My next thread will be "How do you roll up giant lexan panels?". I think it will involve 3 fat guys and beer. (just a guess)

 

[signage]

might be easier to hire one of those helicopter pilots that haul logs

 

[FS-Keith]

squeeze clamps