Opinions Wanted Framing a Police Chief's Hat

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Cavalier

Cavalier

MGF, Master Grumble Framer
Joined
Apr 15, 2009
Posts
872
Loc
Waterville, ME
Good Morning!

I have an interesting project in the shop, and could use some suggestions on how to tackle this.

In theory, I know how I'm going to mount it, as per preservation standards. My question is dealing with the depth. I want the back to be enclosed, and I'm looking at least a nine-inch shadowbox. I've been playing around with stacking a couple of wide mouldings, using the Framerica Boxer frames, and incorporating TARDIS technology (the latter looks great on paper but improbable with current scientific methods.) I've hit the books, looking for an ultradeep shadowbox, or a very wide flat frame to use as a stack. We've discussed having a simple frame, a gold face and black sides.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to tackle the frame? Here's a sketch of the layout (the top piece is a folded flag.)

Thanks!

--Amy
 

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A 9" deep shadowbox? You could stack some frames or have a moulding specially-made for the project, but why? The shadows cast by that deep a box would require a perimeter margin of at least 4", in order to keep the contents out of the dark.

I'd recommend an acrylic box or a Museum Glass shadowbox, with a sturdy standard-profile frame.
 
Deep deep shadowboxes seem cavernous to me and they don't allow for good side vision. Deep cases also create interior shadows and look "boxy" on a wall.

Have you considered a fabricated plexiglass casing? You won't have to use deep mouldings which opens up a whole bevy of possiblilities compared to using deep walled mouldings.

Call Ron at Superior Acrylic Frame Co in Riverside, CA. He speaks our language and will understand exactly what your project requires.

951-684-3730

I currently have him making me an acrylic casing for a signed football and football helmut that will be a table display case 10 1/2" high x 17 x 26.
 
The back half or more of a hat (other than the "stupid" ball caps today with the
writing on the back band) is un-important, and don't need to be shown.

You can bring the "backer" out to about mid point, and use it to be also
part of the "holding" structure. The back is still there, just hidden back in
the framed area that where the problematic shadows are.

As Jim said, then you can have the lip within an inch or so, to cast very little shadow,
while the rest of the hat floats out into the acrylic box.
We did this with a Fireman's helmet once that the fire crew had pimped out and signed
for the retiring Chief. When asked why we didn't just trim off the back 9" bill, he would
open it and with a couple of latches remove the helmet and put it on..... saying:
"I may be all foam on the roof, but I still like riding in the parades and ringing the bell."

We had Lois at Superior do the acrylic work way back then. And like Dave said, they
speak our language, and that family has only gotten better with time.
 
Is it going onto a 2 by 4 of 2 by 6 wall?

Make a smaller box around the back of the hat, cut a hole in the wall and recess the smaller box into the wall :)

Or, just asecond thought, (yeah sadly the first was serious...) what about some convex glass or a glass box that protrudes from the frame. You'll never really see all the sides of the hat if it is buried deep inside a 9 inch box, but if it is outside the frame in a glass box you'll see it much better.....

Look into Jim Miller's museum glass box building kit.
 
Jim, Baer: The idea was to have the backing board to be about five inches from the glazing and I'm playing with the idea of a cove mat float (sloped sides) to minimize shadows. The hat will be passed through the backing board midway with a support within it.

Acrylic is a possibility; I'm in the process of doing research on the project and will call the customer with my findings. I'll give your distributor a call, Dave; thanks for the number.

We also found that Inline Ovals has a 7" shadowbox option. I'll make calls on Monday.

Thank you everyone for your advice and help!

EDIT: Jim: Museum Glass Shadowbox? I must learn more! The completed size will be around 26 x 26.
 
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Just for the big ball of wibbly wobbly... time-y wimey...TARDIS comment I am going to add you as a friend! But seriously, there are companies that will fabricate that for you. I have used c&J in New York. It's run by a father and son who are terrific! I'd love to see a picture when you complete it.
 
I'm sorry, I'm a little confused; you're saying someone you know can fabricate a Tardis? Will you be my friend? :)

Saw a chicken coop on Monhegan that was painted to look like a Tardis. Stopped my daughter in her tracks :) I think she wanted to go inside it....
 
Don't blink. Blink and you're dead. They are fast. Faster than you can believe. Don't turn your back. Don't look away. And don't blink. Good Luck...

Yes, that is the C&J website. They are very expensive but do amazing finished corner frames. I also was thinking that you could float the hat on an angled shelf so that you could cut down on the amount of depth that you need.
 
Tardis

Ha I saw on Facebook a friend of a friend painted the door to their closet like a Tardis. On a similar note I geeked out the other day when a customer came in with 4 doctor who posters. Three Dalek posters and one Van Gogh Tardis exploding. The Daleks all got a nice chunky bead frame that mimicked the Dalek design really well.


Bob Doyle said:
I'm sorry, I'm a little confused; you're saying someone you know can fabricate a Tardis? Will you be my friend? :)

Saw a chicken coop on Monhegan that was painted to look like a Tardis. Stopped my daughter in her tracks :) I think she wanted to go inside it....
Click to expand...
 
I think that BlackIris has a closet door painted like a tardis in her home... Had a photo posted here somewhere...

Here we go, It was Mabsadie... My daughter's iPod case is a tardis and if you go to ThinkGeek you will be in Dr Who heaven... :)
 
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