Security fixings for bench plaques?

[StevenB]

I have a potential new customer for bench plaques in brass & stainless steel.

However, they don't want their shiny new plaques to be stolen & for this reason they don't want the traditional screw fixing from the front of the plaque.

Does anybody know what the technique is for fixing plaques from the reverse, or who the supplier is for whatever components are involved?

(One way security screws are not an option, they have specified hidden secure fixings).

 

As ever, I await the help of the collective might of the forum.

[Count Muppet]

Maybe they could use Cross head screws then gently drill them to round them off?

[DC77]

Have a look at:-

http://www.securityfasteners.net/

http://www.trfastenings.com/pages/TR+Security+Fasteners

Screwfix also have a small range of security fixings but I do not think I have ever seen any in brass.

I have seen door push plates stolen just by slipping a large screw driver behind the plate and ripping it out.

Let us know how you get on.

DC

[DC77]

Reflecting on your problem a solution we used in the past was to use a coach bolt through a piece of wood and from the otherside use a kinmar two way nut (http://www.securityfasteners.net/Kinmar-Security/Kinmar®-Security-Removable-Nut.html) countersunk in to the wood. The kinmar nut uses a head specific socket so the countersunk hole was just wide enough to accept this socket. All was tightened up and the hole on the rear filled and painted over. So on one side you have just the dome of the head of the coach bolt and on the other: nothing. Even then if the filler is dug out you need the head specific socket to remove the bolt.

We used this technique to secure industrial size washing machines and spin dryers inside a comunual room by planting a frame over the door frame so that the machines were to big to be removed through the doorway but at some stage they will need to be replaced.

Something similar may be a answer for you.

DC

[StevenB]

Maybe they could use Cross head screws then gently drill them to round them off?

 

Sorry, but no, they don't want any visible fixings on the front of the plaque.

 

Have a look at:-

http://www.securityfasteners.net/

http://www.trfastenings.com/pages/TR+Security+Fasteners

DC

 

Interesting links, but again, nothing that I could use as a reverse fixing.

 

What I envisage is perhaps a knurled or threaded rod with a thin flat head, so the head could be stuck to the reverse of the plaque, but without sticking out too far.

The rod would be secured into the wood, perhaps by drilling a slightly larger diameter hole & using a proprietary adhesive to secure it?

 

I suppose, at a push, the hole could be drilled right through the bench slat & then perhaps a shear off type screw fitting be used to secure it from behind?

 

All these crazy ideas are how I think the solution might work, is there anyone out there who already has the solution that would be willing to share?

Please feel free to PM me if you are worried about commercial sensitivity & would rather not post the answer here.

[keithm]

No nails, or similar product?

 

If they don't want any visible fixings then i don't see any other option

[grahamparker]

Pink Grip is really good stuff for sticking the plate on.

[Lee]

can you not find someone to braze a thread on the back prior to engraving, then polish the front ready for engraving?

[derek]

can you not find someone to braze a thread on the back prior to engraving, then polish the front ready for engraving?

 

 

i was going to post the same idea Lee, is it something you could do Lee? or do you only have the welding equipment

[keithm]

Would that not make the job rather costly?

[derek]

i thought that too Keith, depends how desperate the customer is for the specifics they have asked for i suppose

[Lee]

I don't have the right gun for brazing. I don't think the cost is something to worry about. I'd give options "we can do xyz or abc" I'd have thought most car garages could do the brazing.

[stevecoco]

I fitted a brass sign/plaque using a couple of brazed guides with a very strong resin based glue to a bench seat. the feckers stole the whole slat off of the bench. On others they have used crowbars, no amount of fixings and glue will stop these oxygen thieves from succeeding. At this time of year in this area we have a lot of Caravan dwellers travelling through.

[keithm]

What about mirroe srews, very shallow and all you see is four domes? Available on the net in either brass or chrome

 

http://compare.ebay.co.uk/like/16080147 ... 80&ff14=64

[StevenB]

can you not find someone to braze a thread on the back prior to engraving, then polish the front ready for engraving?

 

Possibly, but ideally it needs to be a solution that I can fit myself, so that when they phone up & say they need 5 plaques for tomorrow I can be sure to get them done.

I'll take a walk at lunchtime & get some images of the sort of plaques that are currently in use to illustrate what I'm talking about!

[Michael]

Absolutely pointless in my opinion.

If they want it they will take it, especially on a wooden bench where they will just cut the slats. Surely would be more economical to replace a standard brass plaque every now and then, rather than a whole bench!!!

[keithm]

I concur

[StevenB]

Absolutely pointless in my opinion.

 

With respect, it doesn't matter what you think, it's the opinion of my (potential) customer that matters.

 

They've come to me with a specific request, it's up to me to try & find a solution.

 

If I am to get the order. it may be that there needs to be some compromise between what they are asking for & what I can offer.

However, given that they currently have a supplier & are getting the product as they want it, it looks like I may struggle to match this.

 

Front of existing plaques:

Reverse view of fittings:

[Mick Friend]

screwfix will do a tool to remove that - I suspect a 'top hat' stud has been bonded to the plaque - there are a number of anti tamper fixings from all sort of places.

I know nothing about the product you using but could a stud be drilled from the front then filled and polished?

[Gray]

If you are using 3mm plates. Get some shallow flat head bolts, Machine out the depth and width of the head using clearing toolpath and 2 part epoxy the heads in. Then try and get similar nuts in the picture or low torque snap off nuts or torx nuts ....... Just a thought

[CotswoldEngraver]

I would ask them if they mind you removing one of the plaques to take a look at how they are fixed on at present. The fixings look like tamperproof allen screws. Sometimes the pin in the middle is sprung loaded to make it look like a tamperproof fixing but can be removed with a normal allen key.

[kobblers]

Why don't you buy a small plunge router and learn how to create an inset so you can place the plaque directly into the wood, secured at the back with a epoxy resin.

 

Plunge routers are cheap as chips as are the cutters if you're only using them now and again.

 

This video explains in a roundabout way what I mean:

 

 

Hope this helps.

 

Rick.

[shadowster]

I concur

 

 

me anol

[Gray]

Why don't you buy a small plunge router and learn how to create an inset so you can place the plaque directly into the wood, secured at the back with a epoxy resin.

 

Plunge routers are cheap as chips as are the cutters if you're only using them now and again.

 

This video explains in a roundabout way what I mean:

 

 

Hope this helps.

 

Rick.

 

 

Although that looks very nice Rick it might be a long winded approach if Steve has to go out and fit them in situ. First off he's going to need a generator to power his DeWalt router. Then if it's pissing down with rain he'll probably electrocute himself.........."no bad thing as he sniggered at my car"................ and it's going to take him ages.

[windycity]

why not just find out who the competitors are then ask them for a quote and how they would secure the plaque to stop it being taken from your great aunts bowling club green etc.