Hanging a Large, Heavy Fossil

Create a Post
Julie Walsh

Julie Walsh

MGF, Master Grumble Framer
In Memorium
Rest In Peace

Gone but not forgotten
Joined
May 30, 2007
Posts
988
Loc
Toronto, Canada
I have a collector who needs to install a fossil in his clients home and is looking for suggestions.
http://www.fossilrealm.com/collections/fossils?page=3 "Mossasaur Partial Skeleton"

It is approx 3' x 3.5' and weighs about 250 lbs.

The client wants it to float off the wall which means no shelf. They don't want to see how it is mounted.

The collector's thought was to use construction grade adhesive and stick the fossil to a plywood background and use either hd strap hangers or z-bar (top and bottom) ensuring that he gets the screws into a couple of studs.

I don't think it would be strong enough to hold

I'm hoping others out there can provide some ideas that could work.
 
$12,500 fossil and they don't want to see how it is mounted and want to glue something to the back?

Even I, who has been know to take on installation jobs that no one else wanted would walk, no RUN away from this one.......

But, without examining what kind of rock it is or seeing how thick it is or the dimensions, it is difficult to comment. There are certainly ways to drill and epoxy threaded rods into stone that could then be used to attach to an alternative method of support. My concern would be shattering/fracturing the stone when drilling the holes. I would be wary of supporting this kind of weight without some form of mechanical shear interference.

Sounds to me like a consulting job for someone who makes their living doing this - like an objects preparator/conservator at a Natural History Museum. Have you tried Paul Storch?
 
Julie Walsh said:
The client wants it to float off the wall which means no shelf. They don't want to see how it is mounted.
Click to expand...

Have a proper steel fixture fabricated with padded formed rods to hold the item properly.
If these are too visible, you could supply the client with a pair of glasses that are not his proper prescription. Then he wouldn't be able to see the fixture.

:icon11: Rick
(Technically, you would have achieved his goal.)
 
Good one. :p

Forget sticking it. If the rock is stratified then it could un-statify and fall off leaving a chuck glued to the wall. I wouldn't like to drill it either, although it's a better option. You risk having to glue it all together if it cracks.

The only safe way I can think of is to make brackets cut from 1/2" steel plate. And they would have to fit the contours exactly. One way would be to be card templates and nibble away at the contact point until they fit snug. Then take the templates to a metalwork shop. I'm thinking at least five brackets on the bottom - securely anchored into the wall and several lighter duty one on the top.

If the customer is expecting something with no visible means of support, then refer them the Merlin the Magician or Harry Potter. ;)
 
prospero said:
Good one. :p

...
If the customer is expecting something with no visible means of support, then refer them the Merlin the Magician or Harry Potter. ;)
Click to expand...


Or this guy...

 
I had some clients that has Roman mosaic installed on a wall, you can see the brackets that hold the piece but they are discreet. They had a contractor come in tear down a wall rebuild it, around the welded iron brackets and whatever hanging structure they created to go inside the wall.
 
Are they planning to reinforce the wall?

This is more invasive, but what about if they have a recess built into the wall for it?
How deep is it? I'm guessing that it's of varying thicknesses?
 
I thought the same thing Prospero did about how the layers could come apart.

Maybe a metal-worker could fabricate a shallow metal 'sleeve' thing to fit around it
and that could be painted to match, or stained some primitive color. Sort of the
rod mount idea writ large. Although they do want to see the whole thing. Back to
magic, I guess. If you should meet a quizzing Wizard on your questway, the words
'Blue', 'Laden' and 'Ninevah' might come in handy.
 
No matter how it is hung I would not hang it over a bed!

:shutup:
 
Thanks for all the insights! I did not consider that the fossil could shale off over time!! I do like the idea of fabricating metal brackets and definitely, I will let him know to consider strenthening the wall it will be attached to.

Glad I'm not doing this one! I'll pass along the information and I will suggest he contact someone at the ROM for more help.
 
2" x 4" studs are a narrow target for hardware. I would suggest that a cross brace ( 1" 6" to 2" x 8") be installed onto the studs to give a better target for hardware. This cross brace is used to hang items as free floating sinks and handicap grip bars. This cross brace is then covered with drywall to match the rest of the wall.
 
Create a Post
Back
Top