Corian Info Needed

[MikeDingas]

The entrance sign to my development needs to be replaced. A sign company offered to make one for about $1500 each. We need two.

My first thought was to make it myself out of corian. Individual letters would be cut and need to be about 1/2" thick. Any thoughts on using this material exposed to the elements? I plan on drilling holes in the letters to mount them into the existing brick entranceway.

Help is much appreciated. Also, need a supplier source.

[minowevie]

Mike, that sounds like a great idea. sorry, I don't have any weather effects it would have.but I would like to know your sorce for getting corian. good luck. your friend Evie

[eendreno]

hi mike- try googling corian, or nairoc. that is a very simular product. the problem you might have is corian distributors want a resale # and or a corian certified tech certificate. smaller peices are available at hobby distributors but work out to a way more costly way of purchasing.if there is a possibility of white letters may i suggest azek, it is pvc like the pipe, it is available in 4x8 sheets. it is available in 1/2 and 3/4. it also comes in nominal lumber sizes in 1x, and 5/4. these go from 4"-12" in width and are sold in 16 foot lengths. if this is not a choice get in touch with a cabinet shop, let them be the middle man good luck doug

[workin for wood]

Oh yea, that's a great idea Mike. If they are colored, I could see a possibility of some fading over time, but think it would be very minimal. In the winter, the letters will get very cold and be a risk for breakage, more likely to break with snowballs or kids hitting them while freezing cold I'd think. I'd seal the lettering with a concrete sealer just to help be safe that no moisture can get inside the letters causing them to split from freezing. Don't tighten them too much against the brick or obviously they will crack. perhaps a rubber washer on either side before screwing in would be a good idea.

I like the idea and it sounds like something I would try myself if I was in that situation. Cost is the ultimate factor, the corian and like materials are not cheap.

[sgimbel]

Corian can be found on your local google. Type in for countertops your city and state and it will give you a ton of people selling corian countertops. Contact them and it you want to save a ton of $$ ask about there left over pieces. Some of them are hugh (30" x 8'). They would also be able to tell you what weather does to it. Mike's has blades for cutting corian.

For the people turning pens it makes great pens to. Not real hard to turn. Need sharp tools.

[FRETDUST]

Hi Mike
When I built my woodshop a few years ago, I cut my last name out of Corian and put it on the front of my shop. So far it is holding up just fine. Use stainless steel screws to fasten them with. Hope this info is helpful to u. What color are you thinking of using? I have a few different colors that i could send to u if ya want. E-mail me at gill1sp@cmich.edu if interested.

Steve in Mi.

[MikeDingas]

Thanks for all the input. Keep reading...

Jeff: here in Middle Ga, snowballs and freezing is not a big issue. Though sealing with concrete sealer might still be a good idea as is the rubber washer. I haven't as yet come up with a good way to mount the letters other than drilling into the brick of the main sign.

I'm leaning towards a light color for several reasons. One: the sign will not be artificially illuminated. So a light color will be more visible at night. Two: Fading, as you mentioned. Should be less with a light color. Three: The surrounding brick is a dark red. Lighter is better.

Everyone: I'll try all the suggestions for locating a source for corian. Will also check into the Azec eendreno mentioned.

Any ideas on mounting the sign lettering other than by individual letters such as in two pieces? The lettering, BTW, will read "Antebellum Plateau" and may include two decorative scrolling patterns like braces under a sign. They're a little hard to describe in words and I don't have a pattern just yet.

[Sparhawk]

Hey Mike,

I work for a sign company and have done everything from fabrication to installation for the past 15 years. I am currently doing service/install. We do letters like this all the time. We typically use 1/4" plate aluminium though. That would be quite a job on a scroll saw though. I don't see why Corian wouldn't work. But since it's solid surface I don't quite understand what sealer would do for it. It doesn't have any pores to seal, does it?

When we install letters like you're describing (called "pin mount letters" in sign lingo) we typically drill a hole only part of the way into the backs of the letters and tap them for some threaded rod. We typically use 10-24 threaded rod. Cut the pieces about 3 inches long and screw them into the backs of the letters. When you drill your holes in the brick squirt some silicone into the holes and then push the letters on. You don't need to have actual screws or full fledge bolts with nuts or anything like that. The silicone will hold them on fine and then if you ever need to remove them in the future they will still come off relatively easy.

If you decide to go this route PM me and I will give you more in depth details that will save you some headache and time.

Matt

[Croaker]

Corian works great outside here in Nebraska have some that I made several years ago and they look just like they was just done

[knothead]

Mike,

I hung a hart I made out of mortar on my outside fireplace with PL400. It weighs about 15 pounds. Been there for 6 years. Just a suggestion.

Tom