Letter track attachment?

[SIGNTIME]

We don't do a lot of letter track, but have an order for 4- 8'x4' polycarb panels with letter track.

the sign we are doing is existing and it is 3 backlit cabinets stacked on top of each other ... the bottom 2 have been disconnected and the customer want to replace the faces of the bottom 2 (double sided so 4) with blank faces and letter track.

The faces are 3/16 polycarb and we are using the clear plastic letter track. I'm getting ready to attach the track to the sign faces, but want to make sure I'm doing it right.

1. I will be using the changeable letters to get proper spacing between each track but forget if I should add a 1/16th or not so they can slide easier?

2. I will be using aluminium rivets every 6" with clear silicon between, drilling the substrate the correct size but drilling the track oversized for expansion and contraction. How much should I oversize the holes in the track?

3. Am I forgetting anything?

 

[Gino]

Just make them egg-shaped. Wibble-wobble the drill and that should do it.

 

[SIGNTIME]

Ok so 1/16th oversized holes. Thanks Gino

How about clearance for letters keep it tight or give a 1/16th of wiggle room?

 

[Gino]

There are different kinds of track and thicknesses of letters.

Most exterior signs use the .060 letters, which go up, under the upper track and then slide down into the bottom track. We always use the letters themselves as a guide, but you can easily make a jig and use that instead. I'm thinking it's more than a 1/16".

 

[SIGNTIME]

Sorry I wasn't very clear with what I was asking. I am ok with the thickness of the the letters and the gap from track to substrate.

What I should have said... the letters are 6" tall, should I make the distance between the rails 6" or should I give them a little wiggle room, and make that distance oversized like 6.0625" ?

 

[John in Cali]

You need much more space than that. This might help. https://www.geminisignproducts.com/...s/changeable-copy/prontotrackinstallation.pdf

 

[TXFB.INS]

You need much more space than that. This might help. https://www.geminisignproducts.com/...s/changeable-copy/prontotrackinstallation.pdf

Yes, you will need more space that and you also need to know the type of letters as some have "tabs" that extend below the bottom edge of the letter.

 

[Moze]

Looks like this was mentioned, but most manufacturers of letter track list on their site the distance the track should be spaced.

Also, why mess with drilling all of the holes, oversizing them, pop-riveting the track? Weld-On works a whole lot better and faster

 

[GVP]

+1 for Weld-on. Also, at least for Gemini, they supply the tracking in both acrylic and polycarbonate.

 

[Kottwitz-Graphics]

You need much more space than that. This might help. https://www.geminisignproducts.com/...s/changeable-copy/prontotrackinstallation.pdf

Yep, use the Gemini specs, and I use a scrap piece of MDO, or some other type of wood...

Looks like this was mentioned, but most manufacturers of letter track list on their site the distance the track should be spaced.

Also, why mess with drilling all of the holes, oversizing them, pop-riveting the track? Weld-On works a whole lot better and faster

I prefer the plastic rivets that Gemini sells. The thing with weld on, it can get every where quickly.

 

[signbrad]

use the Gemini specs, and I use a scrap piece of MDO, or some other type of wood

This works very well.
Have a bunch of MDO scraps for spacing, each marked for the appropriate size letter. Plenty of spacers makes the job go fast.


Brad in Kansas City

 

[visual800]

we always laid track out and used weld-on and tape down every so aften. Always use the letters as a guide, setting the top track (or bottom) on the letter and pulling it off maybe and 1/8"

There is no sense in drilling and siliconing that track use WELD ON people!

 

[Signed Out]

Will weld on work with polycarbonate faces too?

 

[Signed Out]

I see that weld on #10 is used for bonding dissimilar materials, but it isn't clear. Does anybody know which/if weld on can be used to bond polycarbonate faces with acrylic letter track?

 

[Pixels Are Bad Mmmkay?]

Will weld on work with polycarbonate faces too?

I see that weld on #10 is used for bonding dissimilar materials, but it isn't clear. Does anybody know which/if weld on can be used to bond polycarbonate faces with acrylic letter track?

You need WeldOn 4. It's for polycarbonate and acrylic.

 

[Pixels Are Bad Mmmkay?]

The thing with weld on, it can get every where quickly.

I've never had this problem if applied properly by removing excess air from the applicator bottle before inverting it.

 

[All Graphics Calgary]

#16 will work and #3 if you need something thinner(with hypo needles)

 

[Pixels Are Bad Mmmkay?]

#16 will work and #3 if you need something thinner(with hypo needles)

Ah, yes. I see now that #3, #4, and #16 will all work. We've always just used #4 in our shop so I was unaware of these other options.

https://www.curbellplastics.com/Res...ources/Bonding-Acrylic-with-SCIGRIP-3-4-or-16

 

[Signed Out]

Thanks everyone. Have some #4 coming in tomorrow.

 

[Moze]

Probably doesn't matter, but 3 is non-flammable whereas 4 is flammable. 3 also sets up a bit faster.