I use 16ga steel for most of my layered signs. I watch for good deals on good studs like i found few months ago and purchase 600 for $75. The 1" studs are normally too long for anything so I thread a nut on it and cut the excess off. When you unscrew the nut it will fix the threads so you can easily reassemble after painting each layer. I mainly use 1/4"x20 size studs because there strong. I originally started marking my spots and taking off layers to shoot my studs and figured out the exact size circle I need to shoot through layers. When you do this the weld stud stays and you can added nuts as spacers or just add nuts in the back to hold together.
