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how do i fix aluminium frames properly please?
Posted by Warren Beard on 15 January 2008 at 18:24Hi All
Just want to confirm something as I have not done one before. I’m fixing a panatrim frame to a unit with self tapping screws,
do I;
A) drill a pilot hole through the frame and wall panel about 1mm just to guide it in.
or
B) drill a pilot hole in the frame only larger than the screw so that it grabs and pulls the frame against the wall panel.
or please let me know the best way to secure the frame to the wall panels.
Cheers
Warren
Peter Normington replied 17 years, 11 months ago 4 Members · 11 Replies -
11 Replies
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with self tappers, pre-drill clearance ‘oles in the frame, offer up to the unit and mark a few out to hold in place, then drill pilot holes in the cladding. drill the rest of the pilot holes once the frame has a couple of screws holding it.
Peter
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Cheers Peter
I really appreciate the way you are almost always the first person to respond to my posts with excellent insightful help.
I hope I can somehow one day repay you for all the help you have given me.
Cheers
Warren
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have you used those self drilling screws. Its got a type of drill bit head on the end they use it for roofing. You wont need to drill a hole in the ally it will drill it for you and then go into the cladding behind. its got a HEX nut on the end you can use the hex fitting on the end of a battery drill.
I always use them when im attaching a sign to IBR sheet could also work for this.
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I find the head on the roofing screws to large for panatrim frame, and they tend to bite on the frame before pulling it snug to the cladding.
They are good though for fixing other types of signs.A little tip that I should have mentioned Warren,
I always drill a hole dead centre on the top rail. mark out and drill just one hole in the cladding, and with the frame assembled (no panel)use just the one screw to fix initially. level up and mark the frame then drill the rest of the holes in the cladding.
If its a long frame make sure the bottom rail is parallel to the top, as it can sag before fixing. or pre fix a couple of flat ally spacers between the top and bottom rails on long sections. so the frame stays absolutely square.
Peter
Peter
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Warren, if you have any panel joins, make sure that the top rails are dead straight or the gaps will open up.
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Thanks guys
It is a single panel (2400 x 600mm), I was going to do the centre hole trick as this is how I usually do sign trays as I work alone 😉
I have self tappers already so will be using these.
Thanks again
Warren
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hi for my interest can anyone explain to me what a panatrim frame is
Ive never heard of this type of frame
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