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Century Farm sign build
Our homeplace has been in our family for over 100 years now. Ohio has a program that recognizes farms that have a 100 year tradition and make available signs stating that. Wanted to make something that would last with no maintenance and look nice at the same time. Here is what I came up with.
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Enlarge photo 1 Here is the sign as received. It is in 2 pieces and is aluminum, .050 thick. Has 4 holes punched 1 inch in which is nice. Protective tape will come off when final assembled.
Enlarge photo 2 I had some .750 stainless bar stock here so that will be the framework. No issues with it and don't have to paint.
Enlarge photo 3 Needed 90 degree bends on the corners. Thought about bending but decided to just cut 45's and TIG weld it.  When using a chop saw I step the stock out with spacers behind it.
Enlarge photo 4 Reason for that is so the blade hits in the center on the top. This keeps your blade true and it won't push away from the cut line.
Enlarge photo 5 Another trick when cutting 45 degrees and want them to be true to each other. Once you have it ready to cut, use a marker or dye chem and scribe a straight line. I have  a digital protractor and scribe the line at 90 degrees.
Enlarge photo 6 Once the cut is made, you flip the bar over and line your cut mark up. Then twist till it's 90 degrees again and recheck cut mark. Easy way to cheat to get them all on the same centerline.
Enlarge photo 7 Cuts made and threw it together to get a look see. I cut them so I'd have a .500 gap around the outside. Left the ends long as I can final cut those later. So far so good.
Enlarge photo 8 To attach the sign, I'm using the same round stock. Did the Math and needed six 2.375" pieces. I cut them on the surface grinder. Makes cleaning cuts and I can cut to within a .001"
Enlarge photo 9 Digital readout make this part a cake walk.
Enlarge photo 10 6 pieces cut and I'll completely true them to size by grinding the ends to the same length. That will make what I have in mind even easier. I have to drill/tap several holes and do some rounding and grinding.
Enlarge photo 11 Surface ground all the lengths exactly the same. I then figured out where the hole needed to be and ground a locating flat. I started a slot using a wider cut off wheel 90 degrees and central to the part and flat.
Enlarge photo 12 The cut off wheel is about .015 wider than the sign, quick and easy. The reason I'm just starting it, is I plan to round the ends. Once that is done it is hard to get it central as it want to wander. Cutting it all the way down now effects the hole drilling. I actually cut it in a V block but just wanted to show the wheel and part.
Enlarge photo 13 Drilled and tapped the opposite ends on them all with a 1/4 - 20 thread
Enlarge photo 14 Indicate the locating flat in so the hole is 90 degrees.
Enlarge photo 15 When you have a small ground flat like this. It makes eye balling a center punch mark easy. Tells you where center is and takes the guess work out of it.
Enlarge photo 16 No mill so off to the drill presses. Spot, drill for thread, thread, co bore 1/2 way through with 1/4" and then cobore again for socket head cap screw so it will be basically flush.
Enlarge photo 17 Everything is done here with the holes and threading.
Enlarge photo 18 Screw lays in there nice and smooth.
Enlarge photo 19 I ground the ends with a .375 radius to make a nice detail. I then round a .375 radius the other way so that it will lock onto the main framework, giving it a flush look if you will. Next was to finish the slot for the sign. They are all done here.
Enlarge photo 20 I ground a normal drill to make a step drill.
Enlarge photo 21 This is what makes the flat bottom and the step makes it self aligning once the initial hole is drilled.
Enlarge photo 22 All the frame work round are done now with holes in place.
Enlarge photo 23 Since the holes are in the same line, I simply bolt them together for the final lengths of the top and bottom.
Enlarge photo 24 Cut them both at once on the surface grinder.
Enlarge photo 25 Very nice cuts with this and you can make coins with very little waste.
Enlarge photo 26 Basically dead straight and a perfect pair.
Enlarge photo 27 Next is the bands to attach it. I'm mounting it to an existing electric pole and I need some bands to match it. 7 inch diameter and got my lengths needed and marked the bend lines. Using the roll bender for this.
Enlarge photo 28 VERY easy to do and makes quick work of it. Just pump the jack and roll it through.
Enlarge photo 29 A 4 done with a spare for the middle. It'll be a little different. You can see how this bender makes things the same.
Enlarge photo 30 Very uniform and for small projects like this it is nice to have.
Enlarge photo 31 Marked the lines for the ears and put it in the compact bender. This will go quick as well with no heat. Using 3/16 x 1 1/2" strap.
Enlarge photo 32 Swing the handle and watch where the end lines up with the screw holes. That will make them all the same as well.
Enlarge photo 33 All done and all the same.
Enlarge photo 34 Have a little waste on the ends but the roll bender has to have that. I'll now drill the holes.
Enlarge photo 35 Clamp a pair together so they line up when assembled. Cheat when you can!
Enlarge photo 36 Holes done and now I'll cut the extra off. Using 1/2" bolts to draw them together.
Enlarge photo 37 Clamped them down together while they were bolted and cut to final length.
Enlarge photo 38 Here's a trick to rounding corners and keeping them uniform. Bolt a bushing through the hole and pull it up tight. Now you have a guide to work to.
Enlarge photo 39 After roughing in with the angle grinder, I finish it up with a belt sander.
Enlarge photo 40 Brackets are all done.