Fixing panels to frame

[Improvise]

Hi All,
I have got myself a decent size job that is a 3 piece design installed onto an aluminium frame. The 3 panels are 3mm ali. The frame will also be aluminium.
I need to get the frame and the panels powder-coated separately then then fix the panels to the frame. My question is would large pop rivets (powder-coated same colour) be ok to install the actual artwork panels to the frame? Or any other ideas? Tek screws would work but obviously wouldn't look as good since they will protrude out alot more than rivets.

Thanks!

[adbuch]

If the finished piece is only to be seen on one side, then I think rivets would be fine. If this is something like a room divider where both sides are visible, then perhaps bonding the panels into the frame might be a better approach. Perhaps you could provide more details and/or photos of the aluminum frame material so we can get a better idea what you are dealing with.

David

[Improvise]

Hi David,

It is going to be attached to a shed so only the face of the sign will be seen. I thought I added an attachment of the diagram but cant seem to see it so will attach again.

I was looking at possibly getting into custom aluminium pedestrian gates and was wondering if pop rivets would also be the suitable for this.

Ie Construct and weld gate frame (ie 1800mm high x 900mm wide)
Design and cut artwork panel (to attach to frame), Same outer measurements (ie 1800mm high x 900mm wide). Get frame and artwork panel powder coated separately then Pop rivet artwork panel to ali frame?? Would this be ok or is there another method that will be better?

Thanks

[adbuch]

Perhaps post some photos of the actual aluminum framing material. Are the frames to be welded together with mitered corners, or ??
When you say you will install the panels into the frame, I assume the frame is constructed from U-channel material - but more details would be helpful.
David

[Improvise]

I haven't built the frame yet but yes they will be fully welded mitered corners. Frame is 50x50x3.2mm aluminium

[adbuch]

So this is U channel?

[Improvise]

Sorry SHS square hollow section

[adbuch]

Sorry SHS square hollow section

Don't know what that means. photo or drawing please.
David

[Improvise]

Square steel with a hollow core

[Plasma-art]

I doubt the powdercoat is going to stay on the pop rivets if you coat them before mounting it.
The heads do flex alot so the powdercoat is likely to chip off.

You might want to look in to using countersunk rivet nuts in the frame and use powdercoated dome head screws to fasten it to the frame.
They do protrude a little bit more the pop rivets but you do eliminate the chance you need to do alot of touch up work.
If you stay small like (sorry metric) m3 or m4 they are not much bigger then pop rivet heads.

https://jeveka.com/en/metric-fasteners/ ... rsunk-head
https://www.fabory.com/en/Fasteners/Soc ... s/c/010701

[sonbakler]

I have done a couple jobs similar in the past. The pop rivet idea and if you sandblast the rivets heads before powder coating them you will have a much better chance of the powder not being damaged when you install the rivets. Powder sticks SOOOOOO much better on a sandblasted surface.
In the past I have also slit the square tube down the center of 1 side (aluminum cuts very well in a table saw with some WD40 to lube it up) and the inside panel sits in the slot and can be tacked from the backside. This works very well and is a super clean look.

[Improvise]

Thanks Plasma-art and sonbakler for the info. Both useful pieces of information

[DMoneyAllstar]

Stud welder? I use the bejeebies out of my CD stud welder for attaching and layering signs. Great investment. Simple electronics, so the oldy-but-goody unit are good buys. I paid $1K in 2020 for mine which will handle pins up to 5/16-thread studs. Use SS studs, washers and acorn nuts -- don't want fasteners rusting onto your p-coat.