Rivets for Road Signs

Speed limits. Four-way stops. Handicap parking. These pieces of information and others like them are vital to maintaining order among drivers and preventing vehicle collisions. We rely on road signs to convey these rules. In addition to that, we rely on rivets to affix those signs to their posts so that they stay sturdy even in stormy conditions. Here is some information on rivets for road signs.

Choosing the Right Rivets

Professionals typically install stainless steel or aluminum drive rivets for road signs because of their strength. Road signs will be exposed to the outdoors and the elements at all times. They must be able to endure the weather conditions that affect the area most often, as well as the most extreme conditions that could happen. These may include strong winds, intense precipitation, blistering cold, and scorching heat.

Additionally, stainless steel and aluminum rivets work nicely for this task because road signs are typically made from those same materials (though sometimes, people will use the much cheaper plywood). The standard thickness of these signs is 0.08 inches, though they may be as thick as 0.125 inches. Their weight can vary based on size and shape, but a large street sign can weigh in at over nine pounds. You need rivets that can fasten these fixtures to signposts for many years.

For a more specific recommendation, try Mating Rivets. These two-part rivets must be purchased as a male component and a female component which will provide a complete finished head on both sides deterring sign theft. These are available in steel, stainless steel or aluminum.

Sign Installation and Removal

To understand how to install a road sign, you must first understand the signpost itself. Whether it comes in a “U-channel” shape or a four-sided “telespar” design, the structure is riddled with holes from top to bottom. To see this for yourself, just look out your window while on the road, or even at the stop signs on your street or neighborhood.

Most signs have predrilled holes, but you may need to make them yourself. Either way, you will need to line up the sign’s holes with two holes in the topmost part of the signpost. At that point, you use either a hand riveter, a pneumatic riveter, or even a hammer to drive them in. This process takes seconds, and the sign should hold strong for between 10 and 15 years.

There is a way to remove the rivets without damaging the sign itself. You will need a drill bit for the head, and a 1/8-inch punch and hammer for the body. Just drill into the head until it breaks off, then place the punch on what is left of the body, then smash the punch with the hammer.

Road signs are vital for safety, and any job that involves rigging them in place needs to be done right. Blind Rivet Supply offers an extensive selection of rivets for road signs, as well as many other projects. Look through our inventory today and use our rivets to bring your ideas into reality.