| Author |
Message |
Lynn Javoroski CSI CCS LEED™ AP SCIP Affiliate
Senior Member
Username: lynn_javoroski
Post Number: 724
Registered: 07-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 12, 2008 - 12:10 pm: |    |
One of my designers wants a wall (in a chapel) to be a metal panel, about 4 feet by 5 feet. We looked at using a metal laminate, but the edges are an issue. She wants the edges to be seamless, wrapping around the 1 inch thick core (with 1/8 inch radii or less) so that the panel appears to be a monolithic slab of bronze metal. The questions are: (1) can the laminate do that; (2) can a metal do that (be laminated to a core and self edge); (3) if we use the metal, what gage would work best; (4) is oil-canning an issue we need to consider; (5) what haven't I thought of?
Help is greatly appreciated - and quickly. The instructions to the contractor went out last night, and if we need to change the change, it should happen ASAP.
Thanks! |
John Bunzick, CCS, CCCA, LEED AP
Senior Member
Username: bunzick
Post Number: 846
Registered: 03-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 12, 2008 - 12:47 pm: | |
If you truly want a monolithic slab of bronze, I'd use a heavy gauge of bronze sheet, form it, braze it, and skip the wood core. (Is this going to be polished as a maintenance item? Tarnishing from fingerprints and what have you will be an issue.)
But, could you really discern the edge of plastic laminate in an objectionable way? What's the viewing distance?
A plastic-core composite material may be an option (e.g. Alpollic), I know it exists in copper, but I don't know about bronze. The corners would be slightly open with this product.
Chemetal makes non-backed (no phenolic) metal laminates, but I don't know if they have bronze. You could also laminate bronze sheet to wood, I suppose.
This is the type of thing I think you want to get a fabricator involved with, so the methods and results can be discussed with someone who does it. I'm thinking a metal craftsperson, not necessarily a woodworker. |
Dave Metzger
Senior Member
Username: davemetzger
Post Number: 252
Registered: 07-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 12, 2008 - 12:50 pm: | |
It's not only the edges that are an issue, but even more so the corners (if they are visible), where two returned edges come together. Making that joint seamless/invisible with thin metal is not realistic. Would need to be brazed or soldered, then ground smooth and the surface finish restored. Won't happen with thin metal. |
Steve Gantner, CSI, CCCA
Senior Member
Username: sgantner
Post Number: 6
Registered: 08-2007
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 12, 2008 - 05:41 pm: | |
Have you considered using a metal composite material like Alucobond or Alpolic? They can form the seamless edges, but the corners could be problem. Also, the 4mm thickness would also help avoid any potential oil canning. |
Sheldon Wolfe
Senior Member
Username: sheldon_wolfe
Post Number: 302
Registered: 01-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 12, 2008 - 11:56 pm: | |
3M has an interesting film, Di-Noc (www.dinocfilm.com, http://snipr.com/1zm72), that is quite convincing. It comes in a wide variety of fake (faux, if you prefer) finishes, can be used interior or exterior, even on the floor. If you didn’t need a metallic sound, the core could be gypboard. |
Ellis C. Whitby, AIA, PE, CSI, LEED® AP
Senior Member
Username: ecwhitby
Post Number: 43
Registered: 03-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 13, 2008 - 09:48 am: | |
Perhaps the LuminOre products would work. See http://www.LuminOre.com. I do not have personal experience with this product but it looks like it could provide the look your designer wants. |
John Hunter
Senior Member
Username: johnhunter
Post Number: 49
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 13, 2008 - 03:38 pm: | |
Lynn - Look at Stoller Metals. Their brass sheet might have the look you're team is going for.
http://stollermetals.com |
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