I have a commission for a sign. Have it drawn in CC pro but now am stumped on what material to use. Thinking HDU, but then how to make it double sided? Recommendations apppreciated, especially from other Canadians as I can’t get all the amazing stuff from the USA.
Size 48 feet, outdoor hanger is wrought iron.
First image is obviously my drawing, second is what I’m aiming to achieve. Created by a master carver from our region.
48 feet? Cool! Lot of tiling.
Assuming she meant 4 x 8 ft. Looks like HDU will run $200 - $400 a sheet, depending on thickness & density. Cutting an oval from 1/2" sheet will yield right around 1 ft³. So in 10lb density the sign will weight 10lb. Possibly too light for outdoors & windy?
I’m not seeing a lot of variation in available colors. And you’ll want to check in to how well it holds paint. I would think with the surface roughed/sanded & primed, probably pretty well.
It will be double sided. Paint seems to work when using a primer. Cantshow in mockup using CC but will be colourful with blues and oranges. Thinking painting with Krayon the large back circle and actually build up from there. Just don’t know about sanding this material as well. Could do standoffs with letters but again hesitant to see how it holds on the material.
Making a sample in mdf first before investing in material. Definitely lots of experimenting for me with this sign ;). Again - any ideas, samples made, constructive criticism appreciated!
@documenta so do you cut HDU with regular endmills and with same speeds and feeds as wood cutting (I’m very new so apologize if I’m asking a basic question). Looks like really sturdy material for signs (but lighter than wood) and then looks like you just paint it with outdoor uv protected enamel, huh? Very cool.
Im new to this material as well. From what I read It’s a lot softer so can cut nicely faster, but I’m just experimenting. Just ordered one sheet ($$$) so will let you know how it goes.
Soft Plastic settings. Slower RPM, faster feedrate. O-flute cutters work really well on this kind of material.
To do something like the Chez Michel sign you would want a white or near white material. Paint before carving the sun & lettering, then cut through the paint to get back to the white.
The other option would be a gold color. Then mask and cut to paint the carving.
I did a smaller double sided sign like that. I just made two thinner ones and put them back to back. Ended up about 3.5inches thick.
You could practice with a sheet of PVC which is much cheaper but probably cuts very similar, I have not tried HDU. This would allow you to make sure the design and process are sound.
Did some signs with double sided plastic (Color Core Amazon.com: BuyPlastic King ColorCore Plastic Sheet 1/4" x 24" x 24" White-Brown-White Color Core, HDPE Board, High Density Polyethylene Panel : Industrial & Scientific)
(the last one is replaced just with my name, Peter Hughs retired, and the sign has new posts, maybe I make a new picture tomorrow, but I think you get the point)
I can’t recommend the double sided plastic more (in fact it is triple sided, one core, and two surfaces), together with Acrylic colored sheets I found and glued with acrylic glue acceptable inlay images can be done. I see so many quickly worn out painted signs tha I think these plastic ones are good for several years in all wheather.
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