Advice Desperately Needed

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Janis

CGF II, Certified Grumble Framer Level 2
Joined
Mar 10, 2004
Posts
400
Loc
Kansas
I took on a project that has turned out to be the project from #### and need advice before I proceed further. I framed a 9/11 flag that went in a frame that is 51" x 67 1/2" - used plexi glass because of the size to avoid the weight problems of glass and per the customer's request. After it hung on the customer's wall (a business) for several months, they decided they wanted me to attempt to remove the wrinkles from it even though I had been advised not to attempt that; the local professional cleaners wouldn't even consider doing it for me. Being a people pleaser, I brought the piece back anyway to attempt to address their request. To make a long story short, I was able to accomplish what they requested, reframed it and delivered it back to the customer and hung it back where it had previously hung for those previous months. Two hours later the business called to inform me the wire on the back and snapped and the frame had fallen to the floor and broke! We used the exact same wire (SevenStrand) as before that is made to hold a weight of 135 lb. Because it had hung on the wall for several months prior, it's my belief that this must be faulty wire. I'm trying to decide what is the wisest course of action to address this problem. I'm going to have to replace the frame now, too. What wisdom can you all share with me?

Thanks!

Janis
 
Bummer, Janice ...

Another of those no-win situations. No way to prove a faulty wire that I know of...

Apologize to the customer for the inconvenience, replace hanger with WallBuddies on the new frame.

Smile when you rehang the picture and tell the customer with levity in your voice that problems always seems to happen with the nicest customers.

And ...

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...raise your prices 10% to reflect these types of unseen situations.



Isn't it amazing how whenever you try to go the extra mile for a customer and do something for them that you aren't even charging for that it comes back to haunt you???

:faintthud:

Sorry for the turmoil on this one.

Dave Makielski
 
Sorry for your problems.

This is the exact reason I don't hand large art on wire. I always use either 2 D straps or z bar for anything over 36 x 48. It eliminates situations like this.

I doubt theres a warranty from the wire manufacturer but you can always call and ask. Never hurts to try.
 
If the wire broke in mid-run, and not at a bending point, then you might have a defective piece of wire. But I doubt it.

It was hanging on two wall attachments, right?

If the wire broke at a termination point on the frame, or at a point of contact on one of the two wall attachments, then the problem probably is not the wire. The problem in that case might be a sharp piece of metal, which abraded the wire until it broke.

WallBuddies would be appropriate for a job like this, or Z-Bar, or another two-point hanging system that does not use wire.
 
LJ has Z-bars. They come in 24' pack (Four 6' pieces) and cut easily with a hack saw.

Two different weight sizes ...under 90 lbs. and over 90 lbs., I believe.

They're in the catalog.

They're a little more intrusive than WallBuddies and more expensive but great for very heavy hangings.

Dave Makielski
 
I know that this water over the dam, but, did you ask how the frame was hanging on the wall:

2 hangers ? 1 hanger ? sharp edged screw(s) ? nail(s) ?

I have seen many instances where environmental vibrations will cause wire to be cut by the sharp surfaces of a screw or nail.



I am in agreement that you did the right thing in offering to fix the frame.
 
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