Home Forums Sign Making Discussions Gallery Sign Trays

  • Sign Trays

    Posted by Richard Urquhart on 8 January 2007 at 20:57

    Hi all just a post to show some sign trays i have been making
    will post some pics as i go as im making another l.e.d halo lit sign
    I have made theses trays with a 100mm return this is to give the sign a look of depth but also to push the sign away from the wall as there is a roller shutter box and viewed from the pavement the sign would be set to far back and you would not see the letters as well

    will keep you posted
    ric 😀 😀


    Attachments:

    James Martin replied 17 years, 7 months ago 19 Members · 37 Replies
  • 37 Replies
  • Lynn Normington

    Member
    8 January 2007 at 22:46

    Rich that looks like hard messy work how long did it take ? guess you love your work, look forward to the end results. if I was an engineer I would know the correct term for the little square bits (look like hinges) on the inside, are they a necessity?

    Lynn

  • Robert Lambie

    Member
    8 January 2007 at 23:29

    excellent work rich, i look forward to seeing the next steps mate. well done!

  • Richard Urquhart

    Member
    9 January 2007 at 08:25

    thanks
    Lynn these are so easy to make if the board is cut to size it takes me about 40min each board to make

    there is the mess from the router to pick up after that’s the only bit i don’t like
    rich more to follow

  • Dave Harrison

    Member
    9 January 2007 at 09:29

    Excellent stuff Richard.
    I’d just like to add another tip regarding these trays if I may.

    If you are going to make a sign using multiple trays to make up a fascia, as often the case with shop sighs etc.
    Get your supplier to cut a couple of mm off the ends of the sheet, or run a the router down the edges that are going to but together.

    The reason for this is that dibond rynobond etc are cut on a press at the factory and this leaves a slight bevel.

    This isn’t too bad on a coloured surface, but I made a tray up using brushed ali finish last week and the bevel was clearly visable. .

    customer was happy. . but I wasn’t !

  • Robert Lambie

    Member
    9 January 2007 at 09:45

    i think i know what you mean dave… when you butt join white dibond and the like there is also a tiny fraction of the black/dark core visable. when two white sheets join it can also appear like a little black/dark line/join. if that makes sense? 😕

  • Richard Urquhart

    Member
    9 January 2007 at 09:50

    Dave i agree mate it squashes the sheet i only butt cut ends
    thanks mate

  • Dave Harrison

    Member
    9 January 2007 at 09:50

    exactly rob. . I’ll post a picture of the job to illustrate the point when I get 5 mins.

  • Dave Harrison

    Member
    9 January 2007 at 10:24

    Rich I’ve only just realised where your workshops are. . off pitlake ?

    How long have you been there ? we’re neighbours mate !
    😀

  • Richard Urquhart

    Member
    9 January 2007 at 10:29

    no way dave where are you

  • Dave Harrison

    Member
    9 January 2007 at 11:36

    At the moment I am mainly working from home (Nelson Close off Derby Rd ) – for big stuff I have use of a general workshop in Addiscombe its less than ideal and to be honest the last 12 months have been a nightmare (production wise).
    I am actively looking for a shop / unit, but price and location as you probably know are proving to be a pain. I’m a little concerned that the local area has its fair share of sign shops so am looking further afield, that said I think we are all busy, and I feel I’ve already established quite a good customer base of my own. Also It would be nice to live as close to work as possible. So if you decide to relocate let me be the first to know ! !

    😀

    Anyway nice to meet you Richard I’ll have to pop round and introduce myself properly when I get 5 mins

  • Richard Urquhart

    Member
    9 January 2007 at 11:42

    Dave its a small world
    your welcome to pop round and I’m always willing to help
    my workshop is upstairs and i have use of the massive workshop below as i have know them for years
    i had workshops in addiscombe which were knocked down to make room for yet more houses
    see ya soon rich

  • Alistair Richards

    Member
    9 January 2007 at 17:03

    Rich, They look great. I wanna get me router out and have a go at making a tray. Couple questions if I may.

    Where can I buy the angled router bit with flat spot?

    How do you glue the tray together, is a hot glue gun suitable?

    And, do you personally, use a router table or just do it hand held?

    Cheers mate good stuff.

    Ali :lol1:

  • Richard Urquhart

    Member
    9 January 2007 at 19:31

    i dont use the correct one mate just a normal half round bit about 10mm
    and just a cheap Bosch hand router
    here are some more pics


    Attachments:

  • Alistair Richards

    Member
    10 January 2007 at 17:18

    Rich

    Great looking job :thumbup2: I’d love to get stuck into one like that. :lol1:

  • Cheryl Smith

    Member
    10 January 2007 at 17:27

    beautiful, love blue shiney lights….sigh

  • LeeMorris

    Member
    12 January 2007 at 21:16

    Hi Rich

    Another great l.e.d sign!

    Do the letters come ready made complete with the l.e.d’s and back plates?
    where do you get them from?
    cheers
    Lee

  • Richard Urquhart

    Member
    12 January 2007 at 21:33

    hi mate
    no they are all parts i buy then make up
    the letters come form one place
    the L.E.DS from another and i diffuse the backs of the acrylic before i mount the L.E.DS

    the L.E.D S come in a length and you have to fit them inside the letter it take i bit of messing about to get the correct spread of light and the correct amount of modules

    rich
    check out the finished job
    http://www.uksignboards.com/viewtopic.p … 298#187298

  • Chris Whitehead

    Member
    15 February 2007 at 14:17

    I’m intrigued about the LED lighting…

    How are they mounted inside? and what sort of power supply was used, for how many LED’s? I’d love to make something like this myself, but im worried about the loading or LED’s, power feed, and resistors etc…

    Any advice you can give me would be gratefully recieved…

    Also, being cheeky, where did you manage to get such letters made up? I’ve not been able to find anywhere that can supply such letters?

  • Richard Urquhart

    Member
    15 February 2007 at 19:25

    hi mate for working out of L.E.D s and correct load i just give the amount of L.E.Ds to my supplier and he works out a transformer i need

    120 L.E.Ds USE A 60WATT transformer about £25
    the letters are just built up letters have a look in sign mags etc etc
    I’m not sure if i can post suppliers on here

    rich

  • Peter Mindham

    Member
    15 February 2007 at 20:21

    Rich
    That looks really good. We are making more and more di bond trays. They just look well finished when they are installed. All our clients so far have been really pleased with the results.

    Nice work!

    Peter

  • Alex Wilson

    Member
    15 February 2007 at 22:21

    If you need a good glue for making up the trays try Ravi or Raj on 01895811422 they also supply D/sided tapes as well. let them know Alex from Falcon Graphics gave you their number.

    Best wishes
    Alex

  • Chris Whitehead

    Member
    16 February 2007 at 15:54
    quote Richard Urquhart:

    the letters are just built up letters have a look in sign mags etc etc

    I never knew they did a signmakers magazine…

    Could you tell me the names of them please, and i’ll pop down to borders later to see if I can find them 🙂

    Thanks Rich 🙂

  • Neil Churchman

    Member
    16 February 2007 at 16:05

    Richard,

    Great looking job – you should be proud of yourself. 🙂

  • Richard Urquhart

    Member
    16 February 2007 at 16:36

    Thanks all
    Rich

  • Amin Miah

    Member
    19 February 2007 at 15:27

    Hi Richard, We have been looking at picking up alubond to make trays. How easy have you found it to work with and what did you use to cut the folding lines etc. And what are you using to hold the corners together adhesive or screws etc? We are very new to the sign game.
    Amin 😀

  • John Harding

    Member
    19 February 2007 at 21:01

    Amin

    You wont get a reply from Rich as he is away for a few days I believe, however he has done a demo on this site regarding the trays, have a look at that.

    John

  • Amin Miah

    Member
    19 February 2007 at 21:48

    Thanks John.

  • Nick Dowell

    Member
    9 November 2007 at 10:59

    Sorry if i sound daft but I cant see any pictures? 🙂

    Any help?

  • Dave Bruce

    Member
    9 November 2007 at 12:19

    are you logged in Nick?

    Dave

  • Nick Dowell

    Member
    9 November 2007 at 13:34

    Genius!!

    many thanks! 🙂

  • kabal_pt

    Member
    29 December 2007 at 02:11

    Excellent stuff rich!

    This will help me a lot.

    just a question! how do you fix it to the wall!?!?

    Thanks!

  • Richard Urquhart

    Member
    29 December 2007 at 12:39

    To fix trays to the wall, run 2 lengths of angle on the wall top and bottom of tray and fix from the very top of the tray and bottom in to the angle, fitting this way no fixings are shown and the job looks great
    Rich 😀 😀 😀

  • kabal_pt

    Member
    2 January 2008 at 12:56

    ty m8!!

    😉

  • Arslan mostefa kara

    Member
    23 March 2008 at 21:40
    quote Richard Urquhart:

    Hi all just a post to show some sign trays i have been making
    will post some pics as i go as im making another l.e.d halo lit sign
    I have made theses trays with a 100mm return this is to give the sign a look of depth but also to push the sign away from the wall as there is a roller shutter box and viewed from the pavement the sign would be set to far back and you would not see the letters as well

    will keep you posted
    ric 😀 😀

    Hi! what kind of router did you use to do this job ?
    thanks
    Arslan

  • Richard Urquhart

    Member
    24 March 2008 at 15:57

    the most basic bosch one, you dont need an expensive one, after all it just needs 4 lines routed to the rear
    rich

  • Kimberley Edwards

    Member
    24 March 2008 at 23:48

    This is really excellent work and your step by step is very informative. You should consider submitting this to SignCraft magazine.
    BTW:

    quote :

    I never knew they did a signmakers magazine…

    Could you tell me the names of them please, and i’ll pop down to borders later to see if I can find them

    SignCraft is a very good one.

  • James Martin

    Member
    25 March 2008 at 01:33

    it is great tutorial, tks Rich.

    Another great thread to compliment:

    http://www.uksignboards.com/viewtopic.p … highlight=

Log in to reply.