ATTACHING HANGING WIRE

Jason

CGF, Certified Grumble Framer
Joined
Dec 3, 2004
Posts
198
Loc
Iowa
Is there a rule of thumb to follow when attaching the hanging wire to the back of a wood or metal frame? I know you locate the hardware about 1/3 of the way down from the top, but how much of a loop should be left in the wire? I want my finished item to hug the wall. Just wondered if there was a good rule of thumb to follow. Thanks.
 
Jason,

Try the FACTS website and, under "Standards", search for FRM-399, this should give you some guidance in how to hang with wire.

You may want to pay particular attention to the stress chart at the bottom which shows how much stress is exerted on the wire at different angles.

Framerguy
 
Ideally the wire will go up at a 60 degree angle when hung from two hooks. And I always recommend using two hooks on all but the very smallest pieces.

You may want the piece to "hug the wall" but don't be tempted to make the wire too taut. It will put an incredible amount of strain on the frame. If it's a real issue, consider using Wall Buddies.
Here is everything you ever wanted to know about it, according to FACTS standards.

*EDIT* Darn you and your fast typing skills!
 
2 posts quoting FACTS information. My heart is all a flutter!!! Makes it worth getting up in the morning!!

FACTS Steering Committee Chair
 
Originally posted by FramerDave:
*EDIT* Darn you and your fast typing skills!
Dave,

Typing skills had nothing to do with it! Great minds simply work better when they are working together!
thumbsup.gif
:cool:

Tom
 
Unfortunately, it is not always possible to follow FACTS – a horizontal 8” x 40” frame comes to mind. In that instance, a 60° angle just ain’t gonna happen.

The “rule of thumb” that Paul Frederick suggests in one of his “Answers” books is that the “loop” be 1/2 the distance from the hanging hardware to the top of the frame.
 
Originally posted by Bill Henry:
Unfortunately, it is not always possible to follow FACTS – a horizontal 8” x 40” frame comes to mind.
That's why they are referred to as Guides,&nbspBill.

FGII
 
Aha! For that one, smack two mirror hangers/strap hangers/D-rings on it without wire. Or Wall Buddies would do very nicely. It'll hang much better on the wall anyway.

If you dig deep enough in the HH archives you can find a rather spirited and rancorous debate about this whole issue.
 
a horizontal 8” x 40” frame comes to mind.
WallBuddies come to mind.

Oops. Dave beat me to it.

Happy Birthday, Dave. Is it supposed to be a secret that you're 35 today?
 
Don't worry, Dave. I won't tell anyone. It'll be our little secret.

I can't but wonder how it is that I know, though.

Hope you're having a good one, but the fact that you're on TG right now is not a promising sign.
 
Hope you're having a good one, but the fact that you're on TG right now is not a promising sign.
Gee, I wasn't bummed out or anything until I read that. Actually my better half was called away to Chicago yesterday at the last second, so we're going to do something fun tomorrow night.

Just for the record, it's actually the third anniversary of my 32nd birthday.
 
Boy, I haven't thought about this cunnundrum for about 25 years. I didn't notice any of the BB museums Rijks, Louvre, Prado adhearing to the 60degree guidlines.... but there were all those wall buddies on the Rembraunts....
thumbsup.gif
.

So what is the proper degree spread for picture mould that is fenistrated at 7'9" on a 9' ceilinged wall? What pound test line for monofiliment on a 12 pound picture?

Welcome to my world.

If it's under 20lbs, slap a sawtooth on it and call it good.
 
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