just for the everyday stuff

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danny boy

danny boy

PFG, Picture Framing God
In Memorium
Rest In Peace

Gone but not forgotten
Joined
Dec 18, 2004
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Loc
Oregon's Bay Area
So I was wondering this morning while I was getting ready to come in to work, "I wonder what everyone (meaning you out there in Grumble land) else uses to attach the wire to the frame for the regular stuff"?

Now this is not my regular train of thought while I shower, but I knew I needed to place an order for some additional hardware in this next week.

I was also thinking of having a bowl of Cocoa Crispies for breakfast but thats another subject. :D

I do quite a bit of creative thinking in the shower, no interruptions unless I am singing.
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No I know there is the eye hook, the picture and mirror hanger and many varieties in between. And of course we will hear from the Wall Buddie enthouasts out there. Many projects requise a certain type of hanger or method, but I am asking about the every day normal framed piece of art.

So, there it is... "Let the games begin"...

:cool: :cool:
 
My favorite substitute for screw eyes (which I loathe) is Infinity hangers with their little #4 screws. Unfortunately these have been discontinued, so when I run out of my bulk supply I'll either have to retire or find a substitute. One posibility might be United item # 719 or #5589 on page 2 of their catalog. Not as elegant as the Infinity, but ya gotta do what ya gotta do.
:cool: Rick
 
2 hole hangers from United with 4189S screws
Wallbuddies - all sizes - even the small
 
There is no single solution...we have choices of screw-eyes, 1 & 2 hole economy hangers, 1 & 2 hole "d" rings, flangers, 2 & 4 hole Super Steel, Wallbuddies, E-Z bar (and its genetic equivalent), sawtooth hangers in several sizes, and Secure-T hardware.
Small Wallbuddies, and single hole economy hangers with wire are the most commonly used.
 
I have all of what Wally lists and use them regularly (except the screw eyes. Have only used those twice in four years).

But, my "regular" hanging system for "most" non-horizontal frames is the Quick Clip and cord system from United. Quick, strong, inexpensive, and the all black look looks good.

Only drawback is that the cord burns. So, in a fire the picture might fall down.
 
Wallbuddies for most items (11x14 & larger)
Screw eyes & wire for the smaller frames.
Unless the customer requests a sawtooth hanger Of which I try to talk them out of.
We just started using Wallbuddies a little over a year ago and I'm a believer.
 
Customers have come in with shoe strings attached with Swingline staples...

One of my "competitors" uses saw tooth hangers for everything.

For everyday framing; WallBuddies are my #1 choice. Soft Strand and D rings for artists and old people.
 
Again I would like to thank you for your views and comments. So many choices, and granted special projects deserve and call for special hangers I wanted to see if I was missing anything. I think its good to keep both eyes open and try new things.

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Here's an interesting thread...
Directly-In-The-Hole Method

The test pieces I put up months ago are still looking the same, although I stopped taking them apart for inspection after a dozen or so tries.

I have not yet adopted this method, because I guess it would have some limitations not yet determined.

I'm still waiting for someone to tell me why this would not work for small, budget framing jobs. Has anyone begun using this method routinely yet?

Meanwhile, WallBuddies are my buddies.
 
Directly-In-The-Hole method sounds a little too precarious for my taste....however, I usually discover that the outcome for newly derived procedures is 100% better than what I currently use! You know how it goes!

What I do use is:
Inifinity hangers for tiny-weeny mouldings.
Sm or Lge. Super hangers for customers that can't live or breathe without wire hangers.
And WallBuddies for all others.

NEVER use screw eyes......ugh!
 
I just took in a couple of pieces damaged in a move; metal frames done in about 1970. I've never seen this hanger used before:

A spring clip had been seeded into the well. It sticks way out until someone hung it on the wall at which point it would sit on a wall hanger or screw, compressed against the wall. Talk about cheap!! And dangerous! Yikes.

I well imagine, those of you who have been framing for years could write a book about your observations.
 
Jim, I have about 20 pieces of one artist's work who has a framing staff that frames all of his works (copper plate etchings). He frames EVERYTHING in a square cherry frame with white or cream rag boards. (The mat EXACTLY matches the board used for the etching.)

He uses the Directly-in-the-hole method you describe for every picture. I know of collectors that have had his pieces for in excess of 5 yrs (I am sure some are older, but I can only guarantee 5) that show NO visible changes to strength or hold.

It still makes me nervous, but I have no logical reason why it should?! ;)
 
Single hole, 2 hole, and 4 hole D rings, 2 and 4 hole straps with 1/2" screws, screw eyes, sawtooth, security, and whatever else a particular peice may requre. Most common though, is the single hole "D" ring with Softsran wire. #3 or #4 usually.

I like Jim's idea. I may give it a try. I Don't see much of a time savings though. And the cost of a washer vs. a "D" ring can't be that significant. Can it?

Oh well. Always up for trying new tricks.
 
Jim, I just re-read your description because of Harry's comment.

The artist mentioned does not use a washer. He uses #6 pan head screws and follows your procedure without a washer.

He ONLY frames with real cherry wood. The use of a hardwood probably has significant influence on the longevity of the technique.
 
Originally posted by Grumbler F.K.A. Harry:
...I like Jim's idea. I may give it a try. I Don't see much of a time savings though. And the cost of a washer vs. a "D" ring can't be that significant. Can it?
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It wasn't my idea, Harry. Credit "Ahohen", Andrew Hohensee (sp?) for coming up with that one. Where is he on this method now? It would be interesting to know whether he's still using it, whether cautiously or with reckless abandon.

Cost research I did months ago generally favors the DITH method. Compared to D-rings & wire, flatwashers replace the D-rings, and there's no labor to tie the wire with DITH. The wire, screws, wall hooks, and holes (labor to drill) are required either way. By my cost comparison, D-rings cost a lot more than washers, but wire-tying labor is still the biggest cost difference.

When I compared DITH to D-rings without wire, the total installed costs were very similar.

Still inexplicably lacking confidence in the DITH method
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, I still use WallBuddies on almost everything, because their total installed cost is less than any method requiring tied wire ends. Also, they assure that every frame will hang properly, from two wall hooks.

DITH eliminates the labor cost to tie the wire ends, but in my limited experience, there's one drawback common to EVERY wiring method: Most consumers will ignore the FACTS standard and our instructions (oral and written) about two wall hooks and 60-degree wire angles, and hang from one wall hook -- or worse, from one small nail in drywall. Can't take that dastardly shortcut with WallBuddies .
 
Originally posted by Jim Miller:

Still inexplicably lacking confidence in the DITH method
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Click to expand...
Its called common sense but we've hashed this out before. Just had to add my expected jab.

Carry on.
 
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