Sign torn off - thoughts?

[FlorenceC]

Good Day folks,

I need some guidance. One of our clients got in touch with us recently regarding a 2x3' 3mm alupanel sign (not made by us) which was (somehow) torn off a lamp post. I am weighing whether they need to make their material thicker and/or whether the fault is in where the holes were drilled (just two, 1.25" from top and bottom). I have a strong suspicion it was more the hole placement because the panel is torn in two 'V' shapes facing outward, but I could be wrong.

In any case, do you think a thicker alupanel composite would help (6mm 10mm?) or is the problem in the fixture location?

 

[Gino]

.080 sheet aluminum or greater with rounded corners.

 

[Stacey K]

We had an issue with kids tearing signs down and/or bending them near the public restrooms. We decided on .080 aluminum and so far so good. I think in the past the city had used .040 from a previous signmaker.

 

[FlorenceC]

So 3mm alupanel composite is apparently what they had done previously, which is already a bit thicker than 0.08". I am waiting to hear back from the client as far as what type of fixture around the back was used - my assumption is a band bracket along the top and bottom.

I'm attaching what the result was - the damage seems pretty localized? To me it seems like this would be really easy to gain leverage against the two drill points. Would moving them even 3-4" inward help?

 

[Notarealsignguy]

That is pretty common on post mounted 3mm ACM. Using angle or flat bar behind it and larger washers helps stop that from happening. 080 is better but the sheet price has become relatively expensive.

 

[Stacey K]

.080 aluminum is solid metal, the alumapanel is not. That is the difference. Nobody is going to tear a .080 sign off unless he's the Incredible Hunk or a truck hits it.

 

[Gino]

First of all, regardless of how how on the pole it was, ya never have sharp corners. Always rounded.
Next, it's not the thickness, but the strength.
Your band bracing will help a little bit, but will not stop it from happening again.
This is the only thing you can use and still sleep at night.....

 

[Texas_Signmaker]

So 3mm alupanel composite is apparently what they had done previously, which is already a bit thicker than 0.08". I am waiting to hear back from the client as far as what type of fixture around the back was used - my assumption is a band bracket along the top and bottom.

I'm attaching what the result was - the damage seems pretty localized? To me it seems like this would be really easy to gain leverage against the two drill points. Would moving them even 3-4" inward help?

3mm ACM might be thicker but it is 99% weaker. Foam can be technically thicker but doesn't mean it's more sturdy. You can't use 3mm ACM for this... needs to be 080

 

[Notarealsignguy]

the Incredible Hunk

Don't let what's under my name cloud your mind

 

[FlorenceC]

Got it - Thanks All! I will take this back to our client with some pricing. Our shop has mostly worked with less permanent media for outdoor use in the past, and while we do use ACM and aluminum, often times it's either for interior work or it's a lot smaller.

 

[unclebun]

Alupanel or any other brand ACP can tear off just from wind when mounted that way. Doesn't have to be vandalism. .080 aluminum is the correct material. Even thinner solid aluminum is unsatisfactory.

 

[Billct2]

Those are nice brackets Gino, where do you get them?

 

[Gino]

Used to get something similar at glantz, but they're getting cheaper and cheaper, but if you google frame bracket for pole mounted signs, you'll find all kinds.

 

[Superior_Adam]

3mm ACM is only used if going flat on a building wall. We use 063 aluminum for the simple 18x12 parking signs anything larger will get 080 aluminum.

 

[gnubler]

Don't let what's under my name cloud your mind

Shouldn't this be kicked over to the carpenter pants thread? And someone else complimented Gino on his "brackets".