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Sign Biz Member, Joe Tindall, Founder of GrandMark Signs in Lenexa, KS, shares the success and innovative problem-solving results after saying ‘Yes’ to an oversized sign project. The job came via a local sheet metal fabricator, WilClair, that GrandMark Signs would partner with for certain projects. Joe explains, “The Architect provided the concept, and we used Adobe Illustrator to create the shop drawings for the Structural Engineering firm to sign off. The depth of the signs changed from 24” to 30” during the design process. The key requirements for the letters is they had to be aesthetically pleasing while holding up to the expected abuse from the weather and human element.”

Equipment used for fabrication included two different Miller Welders, with the main welder being the Millematic 235, a Waterjet and a Shop Sabre Professional CNC Router. GrandMark Signs took advantage of their spray paint booth, though size was an issue. All letters and symbols were primed and painted using the Matthews Paint System.

“The internal structure of each letter and symbol took a great deal of time to fabricate. Each letter and symbol has an internal skeleton and the faces were made using 3/8” thick aluminum. The returns used .090 aluminum,” explains Joe.

“My first sign project was some 18” x 24” lawn signs. How times have changed!“

Joe Tindall

The installation included use of the GrandMark Signs 2017 Ram 5500 with 60’ Elliott lift and material handler, an 80’ crane, a 2020 Isuzu 16’ Box Truck to transport the letters and symbol and various hand tools.

“We faced many challenges. We quickly learned that we significantly underestimated the amount of time to complete this project, and the sheer size of the letters and symbol created their own issues. The larger letters are 5’ high x 30” deep and weigh 325-375 lbs. The @ symbol and KU letters stand 8’ high and weigh 525-750 lbs. We had to devise a system to move the letters in our shop and ended up using our Toyota forklift and heavy-duty casters. The large letters and symbol would not fit inside our spray paint booth. We had to build a temporary shelter to protect the letters and our personnel during painting,” Joe added.

There were two sets of these massive letters to install. The letters are fastened to the ground by square steel posts embedded into concrete. Joe notes, “We had to be very precise to ensure that each letter and symbol lined up exactly with the ground posts. We developed two sets of templates using sheets of plywood.”

They used the Shop Sabre CNC router for each template to ensure they were identical. One set of templates was used with setting the posts into the concrete and the other set was to ensure that the receiver holes in each letter and symbol lined up with the ground posts.

The main GrandMark Signs Fabricator on this project was Rosie Ralston, pictured right. Joe tells us, “She is an amazing sign fabricator and as you know, there aren’t many women who fabricate signs. I attached photos that may be of interest including one of Rosie standing next to the letter U. This photo will give you an idea as to the size of the sign letters.”

The two sets of The Crossing @ KU letters face the two busiest streets in the City of Lawrence, KS. They were constructed and finished to last for years and will continue to get major exposure.

Congratulations Joe and the whole GrandMark Signs team!
GrandMark Signs
(913) 245-0007
15301 W. 109th Street
Lenexa, KS 66219
www.grandmarksigns.com