Willis Lamm's Traffic Signal Collection

Willis Lamm's
Traffic Signal Collection

Mounting Signals for the Collection

I've been asked on occasion what I use to mount the signals for the collection. An indoor display doesn't often use span wires and mast arms. Here are the different ways I mount the signals for display.

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Eye bolts through I-beams.

Most signals are hung directly from I-beams and other steel structural members by means of eye bolts. A shackle is passed through the eye bolt and the shackle bolt goes through the balancer on the signal gooseneck. I check the weight ratings of the eye bolts in order to determine the proper size. I typically prefer a 3 to one ratio of the eye bolt rating to the actual weight of the signal.

Chain around structural brace.
In some instances a short chain around a structural brace can be held together by a shackle, the bolt of which passes throuh the balancer on the signal gooseneck.

Span wire hangers and all-thread.
Signals with span wire hangers can be hung by anchoring a piece of all thread with two eye bolts. The diameter of the all-thread is basically the largest size to fit into a particular hanger. To prevent sagging I cut the all-thread just slightly longer than the hanger. Nuts are attached at both ends of the all-thread to keep it in place and keep it taught.

All-thread between members.
All-thread can be used to span short distances between structural members. I generally use the largest diameter all-thread that will slip through the gooseneck balancer or I will use ½ inch all-thread and hang the signal from it using a shackle.

Mounts on wooden walls.
Regular mounting arms attached with carriage bolts work pretty well. For stability I usually place a 2x6 behind the wall paneling through which the carriage bolts pass. For lighter signals (such as the beacon) a floor flange is adequate.

Mounts on steel members.
Regular mounting arms attached with carriage bolts work very well. When drilling through steel members I try to keep all holes centered in order to minimize the impact that drilling has on structural strength.