Mounting a trophy

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D

DS

CGF, Certified Grumble Framer
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Sep 22, 2003
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Atlanta, Georgia
I'm currently trying to mount an acrylic base trophy for a customer. I have a 6" x 2 1/2" x 1/2" thick wood shelf which I screwed in from the back. The shelf looks like it is floating. The trophy has little rubber bumpons on each corner to prevent marring to any surface it is placed on. I want to set the trophy on the shelf without having it fall off if the shadow box is tilted.

I tried gluing the bumpons to the wood using: GOOP, Scotch (3M) Super Strength Adhesive and epoxy. When I tip the shelf a shade to screw the back to the shadowbox - the trophy falls off the shelf. I even tried using Tenara thread with Pat's Attach-EZ mounting system. It wouldn't tighten enough to keep the trophy in place.

I've run out of ideas on what to try next. Any ideas would be greatly, greatly, greatly appreciated.
Dan
 
I could remove the bumpons, but then if I glued the base to the shelf - wouldn't it take the trophy out of original condition if and when they decided to remount it?
 
Drill and tap the base with cheap tools you can buy at Home Depot, Lowes, etc. Just go slow and don't drill too deep, acrylic is easy to work with, you can tap without any oil. Run a screw up through the shelf. Total cost should less than $8.00, I would use 8/32 or 10/32 which has a relatively small hole size but is still strong enough for 10 or more lbs. For safety put some glue on the threads during final mounting.
 
DS said:
I could remove the bumpons, but then if I glued the base to the shelf - wouldn't it take the trophy out of original condition if and when they decided to remount it?
Click to expand...

Possibly - but what about if your adhesive is more permanent than that which is holding the bumpons in place?

Remove the bumpons and re-stick with something more aggressive?

Nope - taking the trophy out of its original condition! (?)

I'd remove the bumpons purely because they are not required and can probably be seen (?)

Don't think I'd replace them with any adhesive though - don't know what I'd do actually, but have a feeling I'll know soon!

Maybe an engineering (tight) sink fit on the shelf with actual 'mounting' done above/around?

Or maybe a method that makes the shelf uneccessary, so it really looks like it's floating.
 
I would not rely on any kind of adhesive to hold the trophy in place.

How about designing a frame that opens, so the customer can place the trophy on the shelf after the frame is screwed to the wall? Search the archives for information on "Gravity Groove" and "Slider" frame designs.

A mechanical mount is best, if the frame can't be opened. That is, make stand-offs between critical mounting points and the background, perhaps shaped out of foam center board and covered with mat top-paper. Then strap the trophy in place with clear film straps or other appropriate material.

Tenara is a strong and durable material, and I have used it under tension with excellent results. Pat Kotnour has devised ways to tie it effectively under tension.

Pat, does your new DVD include Tenara tying instructions?
 
Trophy's are generally held together with long threaded rods. If you can get the customer to approve, go to a trophy shop and get a longer threaded rod and bolt it down to the wood shelf you made. Keep the old rod and keep inside the frame in case they ever want to remove the trophy.
 
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