Suppliers for aluminium sign posts

[RobertLambie]

Hi David

Try John Adams Sign Supplies.
They sent us Aluminium signposts “by mistake” when we ordered steel, and we had to return them.
That was a couple of years ago, but they definitely did them, then. John Adams Sign Supplies

[Andy Thorne]

Hi Dave,

If it’s just round, hollow tube you could try some of these suppliers…
( If it is a specific sign system you will need to put a photo of the extrusion on for help identifying it. )

* Thyssenkrupp materials

* RAA Aluminium Extrusions

* Kloeckner Metals UK

Although you would need to check with your local branch for stock as sometimes they need to bring them in from overseas branches.
Hope that helps.

[Hugh Potter]

Signgeer are pretty good, though not a masive range.

I think I can get them cheaper elsewhere but, they have free next day delivery over X££’s which is a bonus.

[David McDonald]

Thanks for these suggestions – I’ll work through them all and see how we get on.

Cheers

Dave

[RobertLambie]

@andy-thorne
I forgot about Richard Austin Alloys. I have one local to me and have used them exclusively, many years ago…

Another is Aalco.

• Aalco

[Mark Johnston]

I realise you will know what you need, “better than me” 😁 but are aluminium posts a good idea?
I always thought posts need to be steel?

[Andy Thorne]

No, not at all but it does depend on the usage.

Aluminium posts are fine for most applications but it is really more determined by the sail area (or face size) of the sign. The larger the sail area the more the wind will batter it (the location is a determining factor too if it is an exposed area).

Would happily stick a 500mm square panel on a 6000mm tall 100mm diameter aluminium posts but a 2000mm x 2000mm square panel on 3000mm posts and just a 50mm diameter is a different matter! The weak point of course is where the post enters the ground and mostly likely to snap under pressure. If you can use an aluminium post with a steel insert in (which is how I designed our sign system) then this will strengthen the outer aluminium post (if reasonably snug).

That said, steel posts certainly have a place where strength is the main requirement but this comes at the expense of the chance of corrosion. Grass strimmers are a particular problem around post bottoms, taking off the paint over time and leaving the bare steel exposed to the elements and the start of rusting if the post is not maintained regularly.

Hope that helps?

[Mark Johnston]

Yes that makes sense Andy. every day is a school day! 😃

cheers