Our sign reads OPEN...

Although business may not be the same as usual...
Metalcraft Industries is ready to work with you...

For 24 years Metalcraft Industries has served the sign supply industry with premium sign accessory items manufactured from the highest quality materials.
In that regard nothing has changed, we are here to serve you with our knowledgeable customer service, quick lead times and the best value for your dollar.
As always we offer our line up of sign frames, sign brackets, banner brackets, sign stakes, decorative street components and the ability to modify or customize products to your specifications.

The sign industry is uniquely positioned for providing tools needed to inform and direct with needed messaging.

Our website is available to you for orders as well as our office for direct communication.  Our manufacturing team is assembled and has been readying the lines of production for quick turn around and shipping of your needed items.

We look forward to working with you as you begin to get back to business. 

www.MetalcraftIndustries.net

Recent site development activity has increased our sign pole and street components requests lately.

We see a lot of ground being moved and paved, whether it is a residential or commercial development the need for signs is sure to follow.

The aluminum casting components for street poles are often used to mark the new road ways with needed stop signs, speed limit signs, street names etc.

                                                                 

Along with these traffic signs there are often decorative components added to cap the street pole with a finial, or complete the bottom of the pole with a base.

 The street name frames can also be accented with ornamental scroll work.

                                                                          

The site signage scroll work, finials and bases can be an expression of the residential or commercial community by including theme oriented accents.

A golf ball finial for golf course communities or a horse head pole cap for equestrian communities, scrolls can also be floral, or represent animals and sports for zoos, stadiums, and parks. 

These decorative components can also be carried throughout the residential community by adding them to the mailboxes that will line the streets. Curb appeal is an important factor in creating a new development for housing and office space sales.

                                                                                 

Street signs are not only useful and required, but when thought out in planning and design, they can also add to the completed look of our residential or commercial roadways.

Show stopper trends into interior building design...

We recently experienced some interest in the decorative design frames we had on display at a commercial and residential builder’s show we attended last month.

Of particular note were the sheets of architectural metal we had printed our logo colors and messaging upon and then wove them or slid them into the large frames we used as a backdrop for our product display.

Metalcraft utilized the metal design presentation to show case our wide variety of SIGN elements.

This included our sign frames, stands, brackets and streetscapes.

 We would like to post some photos share with you the dynamics of the installation.

The frame on the right is constructed of lightweight aluminum and allows for the easy slide in of your printed materials. The presentation can be quickly changed out for upcoming events and holidays by removing the printed panel and replacing with an updated print. Prints can utilize branding as well as creative imagery of abstract or photo real creation.

The center frame is the woven metal presentation, a very popular piece at the show. It is an attention grabber and any photo real or created abstract does well with this installation. We see it being used for wall art, reception areas and an assortment of lobby locations as wall decor.

The far left represents the flexible and malleable shaping of the metal for column and curved wall architectural dynamics. Once again the print can range from abstract to photo real and with your created art files the colors, patterns and size can elevate the elements of a public or private space.

There were many comments received from interior designers in regards to installing the frames as self- standing and wall hanging art pieces for the hospitality (hotel, restaurant, and spa) and service industry (hospitals, medical, retail etc.).

We have been receiving follow up requests for customized similar presentations and thought we should reach out in our blog for the opportunity to review any specifications you may have regarding the size/dimensions of interest for your projects...

Please keep in mind we can work from your art files and color palette, creating a custom metalwork look for your design space.

We find the panels are lightweight transportable and easy to install.

We would be glad to work up a quote for your request, please contact us with the L x W x H and QTY of the panels.

For the art files we would require Adobe Illustrator files to size at time of order placement.

Please include a brief description of the art files with your quote request. (If you need assistance in creating the art files, we can also include an estimated time to create the files and include it in the quote.)

If you think of an idea and it would utilize these building design elements or perhaps any decorative components you may find on our website, please send us a quick sketch or drawing with some dimensions and we will be glad to quote the job for you.

Modifying and changing up our components is what we do best and what can make Metalcraft your go to manufacturer for all your customized sign supply needs.

A bit of Sign Bracket background...

Sign Bracket Basics
What is the shape of your sign?
There are several styles of bracket that accommodate sign shapes better than others...
a.  A Bracket with a straight shaft is best for rectangular or square sign shapes.
b.  A REVERSE Scroll bracket works well for circular or oval sign shapes, it has an arch to accommodate the curved shape at the top of the sign.
c.  If working with a curved top sign, we can also modify the shaft arm with "drop rings" these allow for the curve of your sign when using a straight shaft arm bracket.
(more information on drop rings HERE)
d.  If your sign is longer or you are adding an additional sign under the first sign, you may consider adding an additional bracket to the bottom of the ensemble with the rings facing up to snap additional hardware to the bottom of the signs and then to the upwards facing rings on the bottom bracket to keep the sign from swinging excessively in the wind.

2.  What is the width of your sign?
Metalcraft uses this dimension in a descriptive SKU/Item number, the 24 in the item number below advises that this bracket will fit a sign “up to” 24” in width.
The SKU- X-BR DSB-24
You will find Bracket item numbers end in the “up to” width of the sign that will fit on that bracket.

3.  How will you hang your sign?
Metalcraft provides specification drawings for each of the brackets it regularly manufactures and much information can be gained by review of the specification drawings included below the large photo of the items on our website.
You can find the overall length of the shaft arm, along with ring/tab placement. Here is a quick reference to the standard parts of your sign bracket, although the shape and style of each of the parts may vary, given the theme of your message, the parts identified below are included for each bracket we manufacture.

Take note of whether you plan to install on a curved or flat surface, this will require either a flat BACK PLATE or a curved mount.
The GUSSET is an integral component of the bracket it adds the strength and stability to the angle of the bracket to the back plate.
The SHAFT/ARM is the length of the bracket where the sign is installed, and is usually capped or welded closed or includes a decorative FINIAL/CAP accent.
The sign is affixed to the bracket via hardware, whether the shaft arm includes TABS that allow for a bolt through install (sign does not swing), or RINGS that will require snaps or rubber coated sign hangers (best for aluminum signs), you have a variety of options available to complete your sign project.
The holes or rings of your sign will need to closely match the tab/ring placement on the shaft of your sign bracket.
We can modify the ring placement on the shaft arm for you, or you can add hardware that will reach the distance of the hole placement.
When it comes to choosing sign hanging hardware we offer several types of snap, decorative chain as well as decorative hooks. (HERE)
 
4. How will you hang your bracket?
When Metalcraft provides both the post/pole and the bracket, we can assist you in determining the hardware you will need to install the bracket to the post or pole.If you choose a round pole, you will need a bracket with a curve mount application, (most of our brackets can be modified for CURVE/CHANNEL mount installs, and you will want to purchase the bolt kit for round poles by diameter.
If you choose a square post, you will need a bracket with a FLAT back plate application, and you will want to purchase the bolt kits for square posts by diameter.Our smaller light duty and value brackets are okay to use on either a 2” square post or 2” round pole. 
Larger brackets must be reviewed for mounting style. 
Metalcraft Industries is the originator of the twisted shaft stylized accent of our popular Deluxe Scroll bracket and it is offered in a curved mount or flat back plate. 
Also popular is our Straight Shaft Sign bracket and it is  is offered in a flat back plate, but can also be modified for a round pole by adding a channel mount. 
If you are planning to mount your new bracket to anything other than a Metalcraft post/pole, we suggest working with a sign specialist to determine the proper install hardware as materials vary and each application will require its own unique hardware solution.

WHOA! A Self Standing Sign Post...

Sharing this idea…
We had a request for a self-standing sign post.
Ocala is known as “The Horse Capitol of the World". Marion County hosts a limestone ridge and many natural springs. Because of the geology we have a large variety of horses that enjoy our native Bahia grass enriched with calcium from our limestone rich soil base, the best for building healthy bones…
You can find our Deluxe Scroll Bracket with our signature “twist” at the front gate of many horse farms here in town.
The sign bracket is a perfect fit for many horse farm signs, often decorative in nature.
This customer has horse shows scheduled seasonally and wanted something they could take down from in front of their horse farm property for the off- season.
We used a slip over concept for the sign post.

The square post can be removed for travel and set-up by slipping it on and off the ample length of slightly smaller post which is welded to the cross beam.

Adding our most popular Deluxe Scroll Bracket and a sign that can be switched out by simply using snap links on the shaft arm rings, our customer can easily change up the signs for however long the post is displayed at the front of his property.
The two flat feet have drilled holes for either bolting or staking the fixture as needed, perhaps add some caster wheels and roll it in and out of your shop.
If you think of an idea and it would utilize the components you find on our website, please send us a quick sketch or drawing with some dimensions and we will be glad to quote the job for you.  Modifying and changing up our components is what we do best and what can make Metalcraft your go to manufacturer for all your customized sign supply needs.

Street pole performance and acceptance for safety...

We have had folks asking if we provide a break-away system for street poles…

Although we officially do not provide a break-away system, what we have found is that the alloy we use for our aluminum poles is often considered a valid option.

In researching the subject here is some of the information we have found:

  

1. Department of Transportation State of North Carolina 1/26/2006

Subject: NCHRP 350 Compliance of Metalcraft 3” outer Diameter 1/8” wall thickness, Alloy 6061-T6 Aluminum Tube Signs Supports

The signing section has reviewed the subject product and found that it will provide adequate breakaway performance.

FHWA acceptance letter SS-15 documents Texas Transportation Institute testing that indicates a thin-walled aluminum tube smaller than 4” in diameter will provide adequate breakaway performance in strong soils…

 A copy in full of this letter (SS-15) can be found here-

This letter does not infer that this product will or must be used by Department forces…

A follow up acceptance letter (SS 35) notes 3" & 4" w/ wall thicknesses of 0.125" can be found here-

2. U.S. Department of Transportation 8/11/2011 Federal Highway Administration

Roadside safety devices should meet the guidelines contained in the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 350 if tested prior to December 31, 2010, and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials’ (AASHTO) Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH) if tested after that date.  Requirements for breakaway supports are contained in both of these documents and in AASHTO Standard Specifications for Structural Supports for Highway Signs, Luminaries, and Traffic Signals.

Decision

The following system was found acceptable, with details provided below:

Generic Aluminum support Pole 4-inch diameter with a 0.125 wall thickness

Findings

As noted in previous requests , the FHWA has previously accepted a 6061-T6 aluminum pole in 3” as well as 4” diameter poles of the same aluminum  alloy with a wall thickness of 0.125 …Therefore, the 6061-t6 aluminum pole with 4-inch outside diameter and a 0.125 inch wall thickness remains acceptable for use on NHS under the range of conditions originally tested, when such use is acceptable to a highway agency.

A copy in full of this letter (SS-173) can be found here-

Upon request, Metalcraft can send along a Letter of Certification with your order when you request our Aluminum alloy 6061-T6 poles for your sign project.