How would you do this...?

clifpa

CGF II, Certified Grumble Framer Level 2
Joined
Sep 18, 2002
Posts
319
Loc
Huntington Beach, CA
The size of the framed piece is 17x13". There is glass on the back side which gives a view of an old message written by the mother of this little girl.

Only about 1/3 (hard to see) is really needed.

The customer wants it shadow boxed and both sides to show.

The framed piece is kind of heavy so this is where the problem is, how to support the weight (acrylic?) since I have never done anything like this.

I'm not sure about the frame but thought I would use a suede mat on the front and back, maybe c7134? maybe create a sink-mat, but then how do I keep the piece in place from falling foward or backwards? so many questions, I know.

front.jpg


back.jpg


First image(s) hope they work.

Thanking you in advance.
 
Dear Clif,
Does she want it totally reframed, or shadowbox the whole thing intact? I am assuming a total re-do. Suede mats are nice, you can do them with an antique looking frame (what about one of the new LJ art-nouveau patterns?). I would pick one that has plenty of space, and layer it like this from front to back: UV glass,mat,art,rag mount board, second mount board with the old signed backing mounted facing back of frame, mat, acrylic glazing. I would shoot all of that in with glazier points, then cut a last suede mat from the outer edge of the frame to a width that would cover the points by a bit so they don't show (glue this down to the back of the frame). Install wallbuddies, because a wire might cover some of the writing on the back side. Remember to charge for all the components, as well as your expertise...not everyone wants to do these kinds of pieces. Good luck!
 
If they do want to frame the whole frame as is, how about a piece of acrylic glazing for the front, some spacers behind that (in the frame's rabbet), then a second piece of acrylic with the old frame screwed to the front of it thru holes drilled in the acrylic and into the back of the frame (remove its screw eyes and wire). That would suspend the frame within the new outer frame with minimal materials and weight. If you do want to use a mat, you can put it between the old frame and its acrylic carrier. Just cut its opening the right size and position to reveal whatever parts of the old backing you want to see. Of course the new outer frame must be deep enough to accomodate this package. Seems like a pretty straightforward job.

:cool: Rick
 
The current weight is probably due to 2 pieces of glass and it is probably double strength. I am assuming you are reframing the print and writing. I would frame as usual with the customers design choice, before putting on the backing paper cover the area you want to show with mylar and then put on the dust cover with an opening the size necessary and attach that to the mylar as well as the frame back.

Now if you are to include the frame, get rid of at least the back piece of glass and possibly the print is mounted to a board and then with the sink mat and no glass except in front of the shadow box.
 
Clif,
Can you just make a copy of the meaasge on the back so you can seal the package up as per normal and put the copied sentiment on the back?

Just a thought.

I actually have the same image in my shop right now waiting for new glass. Spooky huh?
 
Does the written note have to be on the back?

Could it be framed separately and hung beside the image so that both could be seen at the same time?

Kit
 
Great answers so far...I want to get to the shop so I can print this thread and read in more detail.

Yes, the customer wants everything intact, including the wire, though I didn't think about making a copy of the writing on the back, like I have done with other pieces, uuuuummmmmmm, I'll ask her.

Yes Kathy, great framers work alike...wink. Leave me out of "the great". I thought this was an original print of her daughter?

Leslie, are you suggesting that the front and backside glass hold in the framed art? If yes, do you think it would be strong enough? This is one idea I had in mind but wasn't sure about the glass/acrylic?

Rick, wouldn't drilling holes in the back, of the old frame, change it's character...? not sure how the customer would feel about that. Worth asking her.

Thanks...any other suggestions or mix of above?
 
O.K., since you are trying to frame the whole thing, forget everything I said earlier. How about this...Because of the weight issue, go entirely with plexi for the new glazing. Make a "sink mat" out of a thick piece of plexi(or two pieces put together) I'll bet you could have someone custom cut this for you (to make this seem clearer, imagine a very thick clear matboard with the center hole cut to the outer dimensions of the original frame, so that the entire frame would fit inside the hole of the plexi). You could then put plexi front and back. You could leave the "mat" clear so that the piece would look like it was floating inside the new frame. Does this make any sense?
 
First, I would also use acrylic front and back.

You can drill holes in acrylic.

So,

Strategically place offsets (two sets to a side?) and drill in the back sheet of acrylic. Use small bolts to attach two offsets to back acrylic. Not too long, you want the bolts to hold two offsets then pass through the back acrylic, and have just enough left to hold a small lock washer and nut.

Let's see if I can make a funny picture ...


.....|.........|
.....|.........|
.__|.____|
|.....|
|.....|.....------|| Bolt
|.....|

Depending on the depth of your frame(s), the "back" offset is maybe 3/16 of an inch and the front offset is 3/16 + [the width of frame to be held]

This way, the "inner frame" (or object) is held suspended with little weight and you can either mat with appropriate spacers on the frame edge, or leave it suspended in the center. (or both)

Hope that was clear???
 
I forgot to mention ... For this case with the wooden frame, I would put felt bumpon on the "inside" of the offset "clamp" that is thus created to minimize wear on the wood. You could use pieces of suede mat and make them decorative as well.
 
HAPPY BIRTHDAY CLIFF!!!
 
Thanx Mike! I've now reached the age my father was at when I was worried about how old he was getting. :( What was I thinking???
faintthud.gif
 
Thanks again all!

Also a BIG Happy Birthday from your good friend.

P.S. I almost thought the happy birthday was for me and I just had one in April...thank God!
 
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