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Rounding corners on Max Metal (ACM) sign panels

phototec

phototec

New Member
I have a panel saw to cut MaxMetal (ACM) sign panels, however I want to use a hand router and a radius template to cut the corners with a 1" radius.

What kind/type of top bearing router bit should I use?

I have done this on wood, but never on a Aluminum sign panel, so I am looking for help or suggestions for the correct bit to get good clean cuts?
I have asked Grimco (where I purchase 3mm MaxMetal panels) and they were NO help.

Thanks for any help.
 

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phototec

phototec

New Member
You use that paper corner rounder to cut 3mm MaxMetal (ACM) sign panels?

I have the Lasco corner rounder, but only use it for paper products. I don't think it will cut through 3mm ACM (MaxMetal) sign blanks.
 
Notarealsignguy

Notarealsignguy

Arial - it's almost helvetica
phototec said:
You use that paper corner rounder to cut 3mm MaxMetal (ACM) sign panels?

I have the Lasco corner rounder, but only use it for paper products. I don't think it will cut through 3mm ACM (MaxMetal) sign blanks.
Click to expand...
I use an electric paper rounder on ACM and 040. I'm pretty sure the dies are the same as the one that was posted and it goes right through it. It'll even do 080 but it's a bit of an ask out of it.
 
R

Ryze Signs

New Member
The only routers bits with bearings I'm aware of are for wood. They are usually carbide, and should work fine for ACM. The proper tool would be to cut the whole panel with a CNC router.
 
V

Vassago

New Member
Any bearing will work as it contacts the template, rather than the work - the size determines how much it's offset from the template.

You can get plastic bearings to stop marks, but that's usually for chamfeing as it contacts the work instead of the template.

As other people have said - you can get corner rounder dies.. They'll cut metal if they're industrial metal cutting types.
 
G

GaSouthpaw

Profane and profane accessories.
As other have said- corner rounders work fine. Remember, the aluminum skin on ACM is approximately aluminum foil thick.
 
JBurton

JBurton

Signtologist
To answer the question, a flush trim router bit is the proper style. This one's neat, it has bearings on both ends, which knocks out the potential to plunge, but essentially doubles the usefulness.
shopping

Personally though, acm is too flimsy to use a hand router on, it goughes like crazy. Corner rounder would be the safer option, especially if you intend to use these as an interior sign.
 
I

ikarasu

Active Member
We use the bit like Jburton posted.

We also use a routing table though... not by hand. You can stack 5-6 alupanel pieces together and do them all at once, its much faster than a corner rounder - Which we have and sometimes use for 1 offs... but when we're doing 100 12x18s, the router is way faster.


And I disagree about the CNC being the correct tool for the job... Every single sign we've ever done on alupanel is 12", 24", 36", etc - Use a router and you're kerf is so thick you're wasting a ton of material, unless the customers ok with a 11.75" Sign. PLUS if you're doing certain projects.... Its much faster to sheet down 100 sheets and round the corners, than to CNC 100 sheets.
 
C

citysignshop

New Member
phototec said:
I have a panel saw to cut MaxMetal (ACM) sign panels, however I want to use a hand router and a radius template to cut the corners with a 1" radius.

What kind/type of top bearing router bit should I use?

I have done this on wood, but never on a Aluminum sign panel, so I am looking for help or suggestions for the correct bit to get good clean cuts?
I have asked Grimco (where I purchase 3mm MaxMetal panels) and they were NO help.

Thanks for any help.
Click to expand...
I guess the big question; how many are you doing, and how pretty does it have to be? From your pic it appears they are viewed close-up, and can be touched, so high quality is necessary....but you want to avoid having to file and sand and cleanup every corner .....for hours!
Although I've used a lot of corner rounders, most of the ones suggested do NOT cut 1" radius.
The heavy duty version of the Lassco-wizer, the CR-60 will do it....the smaller ones have a plastic deck and mine all eventually cracked when nipping heavier materials!
Stacking multiples is obviously the smart way to do it, as long as the edge finish doesn't suffer. I find the bottom skin often leaves a sharp burr that has to be cleaned up. The Expert tools dies here are handy, but not cheap or able to do more than a few pieces at a time. ( Ignore the prices ....if you're south of the border!) :)
1713275458696.png
 
Signarama Jockey

Signarama Jockey

New Member
chester215 said:
bindingproducts.com

CR20 Corner Rounder

Shipping Weight: 4 lbs Desk Top Cornerounder® Corner Cutter. Designed to handle paper and plastic products. Price is for cutting unit only. PURCHASE CUTTING UNIT SEPARATELY FROM DROP DOWN BELOW. Designed to handle paper and plastic products Handles up to a 1/2” o...
bindingproducts.com bindingproducts.com
Click to expand...
This is the exact one we use. 3mm or 6mm ACM, magnets, PVC, etc. The thing is built out of flimsy metal, and over the years it has gotten a little jankey, but it functions reliably.
 
Notarealsignguy

Notarealsignguy

Arial - it's almost helvetica
citysignshop said:
I guess the big question; how many are you doing, and how pretty does it have to be? From your pic it appears they are viewed close-up, and can be touched, so high quality is necessary....but you want to avoid having to file and sand and cleanup every corner .....for hours!
Although I've used a lot of corner rounders, most of the ones suggested do NOT cut 1" radius.
The heavy duty version of the Lassco-wizer, the CR-60 will do it....the smaller ones have a plastic deck and mine all eventually cracked when nipping heavier materials!
Stacking multiples is obviously the smart way to do it, as long as the edge finish doesn't suffer. I find the bottom skin often leaves a sharp burr that has to be cleaned up. The Expert tools dies here are handy, but not cheap or able to do more than a few pieces at a time. ( Ignore the prices ....if you're south of the border!) :)
Click to expand...
They're kind of pricey for what they are. We have one of these for larger radius, it will handle 080 but is a little slow compared to the electric rounder we have.
www.mittlerbros.com

5 Ton Hydraulic Bench Press

5 Ton Capacity 12" Deep Throat 3" Maximum clearance between tooling Maximum Tooling Capacity For Press: 3" Punch & Flare & 16 Ga Mild Steel Can be used as a Standard Press or Arbor Press Rugged 3/8" plate construction Bronze Bushings for Long Life Mount Tooling for straight in use or rotate 90°...
www.mittlerbros.com www.mittlerbros.com
 
Signarama Jockey

Signarama Jockey

New Member
Notarealsignguy said:
They're kind of pricey for what they are. We have one of these for larger radius, it will handle 080 but is a little slow compared to the electric rounder we have.
www.mittlerbros.com

5 Ton Hydraulic Bench Press

5 Ton Capacity 12" Deep Throat 3" Maximum clearance between tooling Maximum Tooling Capacity For Press: 3" Punch & Flare & 16 Ga Mild Steel Can be used as a Standard Press or Arbor Press Rugged 3/8" plate construction Bronze Bushings for Long Life Mount Tooling for straight in use or rotate 90°...
www.mittlerbros.com www.mittlerbros.com
Click to expand...
That thing looks pretty serious. I want one.
 
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