Offset clips or tape

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DS

CGF, Certified Grumble Framer
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Sep 22, 2003
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Hello everyone. I'm closing up a frame assembly and the backing board is flush with the frame. I usually use my point driver, but there's no room. What other possibilities do I have to fasten the assembly in the frame yet allowing for expansion and contraction? Of course I'll use a dust cover when finished. Thanks for your input.
 
Flat clips. Or if you don't have them, low rise offset clips with felt bumpers, or just add another thickness of foamcore.
 
I love the Casesse Flexi-point gun for that purpose. The flexible points go in at angle, then you bend them down over the backing and run some tape over them so they don't poke through the dust cover.

Don't rely on tape alone.

Sometimes flat clips are called turnbuttons.
 
Having no step-down from rabbet to filler is the best fit, so we always fill the rabbet. Dustcover paper lays perfectly and there's no chance of finger poke-through.

The Fletcher "MultiPoint" (yellow) driver is the tool of my choice for that happy situation. Just tip the nose of the tool into the rabbet, pull the trigger, and then flatten out the tool on the back of the filler board as you pull the tool away. Each MultiPoint bends to lay flat on the backing board. And if necessary to reopen the frame package to remove previously-unseen debris, the MultiPoints will bend up and back down again a few times.

I often add strips of 2" clear polyester packing tape with non-migrating acrylic adhesive (3M "Super Heavy Duty") all around to cover the fitting points and smooth the assembly under the dustcover paper. That also closes the frame package tighter and gives the frame extra corner-to-corner stability.
 
And when you use the flexi points be sure to use the "Trusty Tool" in the homemade tool section, it'll sve your fingers and fingernails! ;)
 
Frame space. You can buy it from United carries it. Comes with some nice little screew to hold it tight to the wood. Great stuff.

Never use just tape. It WILL let go, and the art will fall out. I know, I have replaced the glass in many things that were framed like that.
 
Actually it called RabbetSpace - FrameTek's emergency rabbet depth extender. Available in 1/8, 1/4, 3/8 & 1/2 inch offsets.
Watch the video on the FrameTek website.
 
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