What should I Use for a sign?

I've pondered the same question for awhile. When my mother passed away my father asked me to design and build a bench they could place where she had enjoyed sitting and a plaque to insert into it. I've never known anything made from wood to last very long outdoors. I suspect it is genetically engineered to decay once it it no longer a living tree.

You consider the things that have lasted (centuries) and all that really survives is stone. I suggest looking around for someone that can carve a stone marker that could be placed by the tree. You might be able to create the art and design then hand it off to a stone carver to produce. These days a QR code that when scanned might link to a web page about the fallen may be the key to keeping more about that person available for the curious than what could be written on a sign.

4D

Commercial sign carvers who use HDU foam usually carve one or more rabbets into the back of the sign to accept wood, aluminum, or steel braces that are used to attach the sign to posts or a wall. For wood you could glue up a panel out of cedar or redwood if you can find it. Another option would be Corian counter top material.

I think I would use white oak, good for outside Use with a good finish.
The problem I see with foam is it on a school grounds you can always find someone to vandalizing it. ( one swift kick) it's a shame you have to think that way!

Semipro said:

I think I would use white oak, good for outside Use with a good finish.
The problem I see with foam is it on a school grounds you can always find someone to vandalizing it. ( one swift kick) it's a shame you have to think that way!

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I was also considering white oak. The lumber dealer I use has just about anything you can ask for. But, last week when I was there, there was some white oak in the discount bin (50% off regular price). The bin contains various species (labelled) of "shorts - less than 48 inches - that they discount to move the inventory. Guess I should have bought some.

OK - a quick update. my sweetie wants it made from wood.

So...looks like I will be making a run to the lumber dealer tomorrow.

AND, some of y'all may remember my friend with the welding machine that modified my clamps. Well, he volunteered to make a metal sign bracket sorta like the signs you see stuck in the yards of house for sale or rent. Bless his heart.

And2, we have some metal to use from a gazebo we demoed.

Things are coming together quickly. Thanks for everyone's input. The vast and unpaid research department comes through again!!! :grin::grin::grin:

@ggom

Thanks. Definitely something to consider for the future. At least, I am doing my part for now.

As you can see, his tenure at the school was 14 years, and liked/loved by everyone.

I think some PL adhesives are good for foam. Putting up foam letters in the past, we drilled walls for pins, used silicone and pushed the letters in place. Nowadays I think the PL adhesives are even better and faster setting. PL 300 Foamboard Adhesive read the Overview.

MDO holds up well outside and is what the highway departments used to use for the interstate signs.

One more thing to throw into this mix of materials is composite lumber, the type used for decking. You can usually pick from several colors and some companies have different textures available. This is a great material to use for outdoor signage and cuts well with your standard bits.

+1 for White Oak, Mike. I just picked some up at the sawmill and will use it to make a puppy feeder for an animal shelter. They want to be able to wash it off regularly so White Oak got the call.

David

That's a nice dignified design for the occasion, Mike. I'll be interested to hear what kind of paint they use.

Don't forget to show us photos of the finished sign, Mike. It's always great to see things that have special meaning.

A stone would last, but would it even be there a hundred year from now? But I would say that is the best option, that or a metal sign.

Some time back I read a piece on Nepal woodwork. It mentioned wooden window frames, unfinished, but up to 500 years old. Can't recall where I read it, and have not been able to find the article again. However, did find this. :: RS woodcrafts :: History Of Wood Carving Down into it, it mentions using seasoned hardwood (and, of course, doesn't say what kind), and expecting it to last centuries. Interesting, to say the least. Just depends on what type of wood, and how it's prepared.

Wood can last if it is in places where there is little oxygen, little rain, and a species that is already adapted to survive in that climate.
Stone can be eroded by the wind blown sand and acid rain and such. Less likely in some parts of the world than others.

I live in Kansas, and every stick of wood I've left outside has turned gray, dried and cracked and roughened before crumbling apart. Of course there were bugs and plants that helped attack it. Nature conspires to recycle wood here. You can find limestone fence posts made when there were no trees in Kansas still standing though. They use harder stone for tombstones though, and those look new despite being as old as the town is.

I've used Corian for outside signs. After engraving I filled that with colored epoxy and sanded smooth. Easy to keep clean. Brass inserts installed in the back and stainless screws to hold to the aluminum or wood or stainless stake. Like any other material that is left out in the weather the UV will eventually fade color including white. This is something you just can't get away from. I have seen Granite patio tables fade out from the sunlight in six months.
Nice sign design, by the way. Simplicity equals elegance.

I understand that I was late with the question, but now with this pandemic, it has become much more relevant than it seems. I need to make several fences at once, my parents asked me to design a table and a bench near the grave in advance during my lifetime. Is it worth it if there is practically no one sitting there?

I vote for white oak and you could finish it with epoxy.