Difficult Jersey Box repair

[tedh]

Customer brought in a Michaels jersey box with broken glass, and new glass can't be inserted without taking the box apart. The channel is built like a Nielsen metal jersey box - slide the glass in, then add the fourth piece.

Trouble is, the frame is held together with what looks like Hoffman dovetails. I'd like to break the box, cut it down, and v-nail it back together, about a half-inch smaller than new.

Do we all agree with this approach?

 

[CAframer]

Sell him a new frame!

Are you really planning on 'breaking' the box - if so what is the likelihood of getting clean breaks. What happens if the break is not clean, and results in damage to one of more of the sides? If you really are set on going this route it might be better to cut across the miter with a saw rather than breaking.

Personally I'd sell him a new frame. Is it really worth messing with a piece of junk?

 

[Steven6095]

Could you drill out the wedges and use a Japanese saw or such to "break" the miters to get the glass out?
Glue back together.

 

[j Paul]

I agree that IF you are going to do this that it would be best to just cut through the miters and then recut to smaller size. Of course they brought it to you after going back to Michael's and finding out they wouldn't touch it, I'm sure.

I just had a lady in last week that needed her frame cut down to fit a smaller space. It was a metal sectional frame so not that hard to do, other than spending the time to change my blades out. HOWEVER, I figured out later that this lady will never become a good repeat customer. Her conversation at pick up lead me to understand that she has done custom framing before but always looks for the cheap places.

I was the only one willing to cut her frame down for her and replace the glass. She called me back later to see about having me cut some reflective control non-glare glass for her 11x14 frames at home but was shopping that around.

Back to your customer - they bought this cheap poorly designed frame at Micheal's and now they come to you looking for the fix. Ever optimistic we hope we can convert them - hope you can - probably won't.

 

[tedh]

Couple of comments:

- the customer's kids bought it for him, and he was ticked because they didn't come to me. He's willing to buy a new box at my recommendation. He's a good, long-time customer. The jersey is a signed Joe Namath, and will indeed fit into a smaller frame. He wanted the sleeves tucked behind the jersey anyway.

- Rather than just breaking the frame, I really like the Japanese saw idea - I have a nice sharp one here, from Lee Valley of course. I'll try easing out the bowties first, though.

- he's going to show it on a hanger.

Thanks for the ideas - I think I was on the right track, but that Japanese saw thing is the winner du jour. Way less damage that way!

 

[Rob Markoff]

If they are Hoffmann wedges- don't waste your time trying to get them out

They will cut with a fine saw though. Question - once you take the frame apart and cut it down, how will you join it?

 

[FramerCat]

Question - once you take the frame apart and cut it down, how will you join it?

That's what I was wondering too. If it's one of those Michael's shadow boxes with the channel at the back to hold the backing, it usually gets crushed in the joiner or vises and causes all kinds of problems. I don't usually do this kind of thing anymore. It's too time consuming, but you might be faster or better at it than me. Good luck and let us know how it works out.
Ed

 

[tedh]

This is just crazy - I thought I had replied yesterday to Rob's question, saying I would v-nail the bottom corners and use thumbnails for the two top corners, but I must have hit the wrong button.

When I get to it, I'll use really low pressure on the top clamp. Nice to be warned about crushing a Michaels job. lol

 

[artfolio]

I agree with the reframing option.

On a couple of occasions I have tried to help someone out by repairing a piece of chainstore carp but inevitably I end up spending far too long on it and wasting time which could be used more profitably.

These days I will discount a replacement frame rather than tackle a job like that.