How-to drawing of AMS security hangers?

[Hannu Nystrom]

If anyone has a decent illustration of how to use AMS security hangers for wood frames, please send me by e-mail hannu@kehystyspalvelu.com
I need to send hanging instructions to the installator in the other town. He's never used these hangers.

I don't understand why AMS doesn't have any how-to pics in their website. The picture they sent me (AMS Europe) is so bad that it's no use, believe or not...

 

[Jim Miller]

I don't understand why everyone isn't using the mending plate method described in one of Paul Frederick's books.

It is a no-brainer -- cheap, quick, effective, and requires no special tools. But hardware is hidden behind the frame and removal requires a precise rotating motion.

Thanks for that one, Paul.

 

[Baer Charlton]

You know how things are Jim; if its the "old way" or cheaper... it must not be good.

 

[Paul N]

Jim:

Do you have a source for Paul Frederick's books?

Thanks

 

[Hannu Nystrom]

Originally posted by Jim Miller:
I don't understand why everyone isn't using the mending plate method described in one of Paul Frederick's books.

It is a no-brainer -- cheap, quick, effective, and requires no special tools. But hardware is hidden behind the frame and removal requires a precise rotating motion.

Thanks for that one, Paul.

Jim,

The mending plate method is good with some applications where there is no need for "high security"

However, most hotel companies in Finland don't approve this kind of system because
1...it's a two-point system, AMS is three-point (two s-plates up and one t-screw down)
2...mending plate system won't immobilize the frame.

Anyway, thanks for everyone who helped off-line. I still haven't the picture I was looking for, but maybe it's now time to make a digi picture presentation of the whole thing. It seems that AMS is not doing this simple thing. Weird. Maybe they are afraid of someone copying the system if they give away the instructions of how to use a product!

 

[Frank Larson]

Hannu,

If you order an individualy packaged hardware you usually get an instruction sheet in the package. The bulk packs don't always come with one. Probably because they assume if you're ordering bulk you already know what you're doing. Maybe.

You can also use the AMS as a 4 point system using 2 T-Screws on the bottom. This is my preferance. It makes for a more stable and secure install.

Here's a tip: To get your bottom T-Screws to line up exactly, hang the piece from the top hardware and into the bottom mounting plate stick a T-Screw that has been cut off to about 1.5cm and push the frame to the wall. The cutoff T-Screw will mark the wall for you. I don't usually bother but you can sharpen the marking T-Screw to a point.

 

[Jim Miller]

Originally posted by Hannu Nystrom:

... most hotel companies in Finland don't approve this kind of system because
1...it's a two-point system, AMS is three-point (two s-plates up and one t-screw down)
2...mending plate system won't immobilize the frame...

American hotels use the AMS-type hangers for the same reasons. However, in my limited experience of inspecting hotel frames, I'd say about 25% are installed improperly. That is, they simply hang from the two top brackets, and the bottom bracket is disengaged. My guess is that maintenance guys or contract decorators/painters cut corners in reinstalling after repairs or redecorating. How secure is that?

On small frames, two points are usually adequate. On large frames we can use two pairs of mending paltes, making it a four-point system.