Thread: Sign help!

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We want to do an arch this year that has the name of our haunt in the curve of the arch and then we'll also attach a hanging sign underneath it that says Sanitarium this year.

We've looked everywhere for a simple metal archway we could use, but found none anywhere. So, I'm going to have to make the arch by bending pvc pipes into the correct shape.

Anyway, my question is for anybody who has made this type of an arch or sign for their haunt before. I'd like to get ideas for the materials used and how the lettering is done for the signs.

The word Shadowlair will be part of the arch, if I can manage to do it, so I want it to look sort of like iron. I know I can paint it to look like iron, but I really need suggestions on what I can make the letters out of so they will last a while. I would like this to be reusable in years to come.

Anybody have any ideas on how I can do this?

Thanks for your help!!

I think you have a couple of options here:

1) You could actually have a metal one made. A lot of shops and artists use plasma cutters for quick turn around type jobs. The most expensive part of the project would be the actual metal, but you could go with a cheap, thin metal like tin.

2) Plywood arch. Get a piece of plywood big enough and draw your arch design into it. Use a jigsaw or router to cut out the lettering and shape. If you do a plywood arch, I wouldn't use PVC for the supporting "legs", it might be unstable and too top heavy. You would need to use some type of lumber or metal poles.

3) Foamboard. Same as the plywood arch, but it would be really light weight.

Check out this thread for some other ideas:

How did you make a cemetery sign?

Good luck!

Just a thought.
The garden arches that are sold at hardware stores in the garden center are nice arches made of "put together metal" If you want it larger(taller) you can add PVC pipe to slide the metal into. Of course, this will limit your width of arch but if it is just across a side walk it ought to give you a start. Sometime you can find these arches in a salvage yard for like 25 cents a pound. Ways cheaper than buying new.

Teres
http://www.halloween-christmas-crafts-etc.com

Thank you very much for your suggestions guys, but unfortunately, I don't have the money to have a metal sign made, and I am not skilled enough with a jigsaw to make one out of plywood, that's kinda why I was looking for alternatives to those kinds of materials to make the sign. I may end up having to do it with foam board, but that is really scarce around here too, and when you do find it it's usually like a foot thick. :P

I've actually looked at all the garden stores, junkyards and hardware stores within an hour of my house and I haven't been able to find one of those arches. lol I know I saw them last year and they weren't expensive, but for some reason, this year, they are nowhere to be found!

Anyway, thanks for your help! I appreciate you guys taking the time to answer!

PVCS can be bent using a heat gun. You will need to make a jig to hold the PVCS in the shape you want then heat it with the heat gun once cool it should be all set.

You can use clear aquarium tubing with heavy gauge wire (or coat hanger) inside to make the letters, then spray paint it flat black.