Summary for copper letters on steel sign Discussion
Copper letters on steel sign is the core issue here: Shannon Knapp asked how her blacksmith husband could attach copper letters to a mild steel sign without causing a chemical reaction. Ted Mooney replied that if the sign is indoors, galvanic problems may not be a major concern, but outdoor exposure could be. He suggested an insulating mounting method instead of direct metal contact: tap the backs of the letters, drill matching holes in the steel, and use plastic screws from the back. He also advised leaving the tiniest gap between the copper and steel so they are not in electrical contact, with a layer of electrician’s tape as one possible spacer. Later, Shannon reported that the final solution was to raise the letters for more visual depth and use a super adhesive between the layers. The thread therefore leans toward isolating the metals rather than fastening them directly together.
Q. I was brought to this site because of the words copper and steel.
My husband is a blacksmith, assembling a sign made of mild steel sheet and is attaching copper letters.
Does anyone know of a way to do this, other than rivets, that will not cause a chemical reaction?
Thanks, Shannon
Shannon Knapp
blacksmith – Milwaukee, Wisconsin
2007
A. If the sign will be indoors like in a shop or a mall it may not be a real problem, Shannon. But for outdoor exposure I think it will be. I would suggest that the back of the letters could be tapped and holes be drilled in the steel plate, and plastic screws come in from the back to hold the letters in place.
This may offend a blacksmith who is used to sledgehammers and anvils, though :-)
You also need the tiniest of gaps between the letters and the sign so they are not in electrical contact. One layer of electricians tape would do it.
Good luck and please send us a picture of it. We’ll be happy to post it even if you decide my idea was hare-brained and you came up with a better one. In that case we’d probably post it tiny instead of big though :-)
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com – Pine Beach, New Jersey
Need quick confidential answers? $25
Need project assistance? $100/hr.
2007
Thanks! I forgot to send you the finished project pic —
He did end up raising the letters to make them stand out a bit more and using a super adhesive between the layers….
Shannon Knapp
blacksmith – Milwaukee, Wisconsin
January 14, 2009
January 14, 2009
Wow, he does nice work!
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com – Pine Beach, New Jersey
Need quick confidential answers? $25
Need project assistance? $100/hr.