One person flipping a large frame project

Rozmataz

SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
Joined
Jun 13, 2002
Posts
2,773
Loc
Fingerlakes Region of NYS
This happens to me all the time since I work alone most of the time.

I work on a large piece and unless my husband/helper is here I can't juggle and struggle to flip the frame package over to close it by myself.

I have, on occasion, slid it off the side of the work table and put temporary points in from underneath to hold it in place in order to turn it over.

Does anyone else deal with this any differntly?

Thanks,

Roz
 
I have a table that separates in the middle and I can walk all the way around it so if I have a large project, I can usually get to it from any side. No flipping usually is required.

Or you could wait for the mailman to come by.
 
That appears to be about right (normal in our shop) to insert your points, tabs, staples, etc from the bottom as the oversize art leans over the edge of a table. I do not understand why the points are considered temporary. Once they are in they will stay there. If you press up (toward the glazing) with the fitting tool there should be no need to remove and replace them.

Upon occasion I have slid the entire frame package off the table (with a protective board under the frame and used as a slide) onto a protected (clean) floor mat. I then work the frame to the wall and rest it against the wall. I can then seal, paper, attach hangers etc as it leans. There is no need to place the frame back on the table.
 
Roz, I encounter this all the time being alone here also. I do exactly what you said, I hang the project over the edge enough so I can get underneath with the point gun and I shoot enough points to hold the package together until I flip it over.

You can also seal the edges of your package with tape and have your frame upside down on the table and then place the package in the frame upside down. Problem with that is invariably there is something floating around somewhere that you didn't see and you get it all assembled and flip it over and "surprise" you have to take it all apart.

Or you can go next door and get one of the pizza guys to help you flip it, or the mailman, or the UPS guy........

I have the most trouble witht he 51x96 plexi trying to get that on my wallcutter. Virtually impossible with one person............
 
Lately all I've been doing is oversize. I hang it over the edge of the table and point it in while I'm sitting on the floor. It's worked for me so far.
 
Large frames can be fitted most safely if they
are sitting at an incline on a sturdy easel, such
as an oil painting easel. The frame can be set on
the easel, with its back side turned out and the
clean glazing can be set in and checked to see
how it will sit and whether any of its edges need
shimming. Spacers can then be installed, if they
are to be used. The work in its matting or on its
back mat can now be set on the bottom rabbet edge
and can be gently closed onto the back side of the
glazing. Finally, the package can be secured in
the frame and the back of the frame can be finished, without leaving the easel. This method of fitting, which comes to us from paper conservators, allows for maximum visibility and control and, thus, maximum safety.

Hugh
 
Thea is pretty much the way I do it, except that I put several stips of foam core on the floor and lean it against the frame against the wall rather than using an easel.

The foam core holds it off the floor far enough to trim the dust cover.

It is much easier to control the installation of the glazing and art into the frame if it is standing.

The most important thing is to think it all the way through before beginning.
 
Hugh and Jo,

Good ideas.

Now, where do I find an easel - or the open wall space - to accomodate a 57"x93" frame? :D
 
My method is different than most. I made a cleaning board for glass from the double thickness cardboard out of the bottoms of foamcore boxes. I used enough to build a board about 1" thick and glued them together. Then I covered the board with black kraft paper and attached it on the back of the board with ATG.

This is placed on the top of my fitting table before I cut glass. I clean the glass on this board which shows up any smears, dust, or smudges. After I clean the glass, I give a final dusting to the artwork and mat package and then I stand the glass on edge on the cleaning board and place the mat package against it. I lay this down on top of my black cleaning board and place the frame over the mats/artwork.

If the piece is small I can pick up everything on the cleaning board and turn it over on the fitting table and finish the fitting. If it is large I still can pick up the entire package with the cleaning board behind and turn it over while holding the package in the frame with the cleaning board. It is alot easier to see than to explain in words but it really works well and I can finish fitting without any contortions or upside down point driving.

I have had very few really large frame packages that this technique would not work with and I had to get help with them. But they were large enough that it really required 2 people to make the move safely.

Framerguy
 
In all my years I've never thought of the incline idea for fitting a piece. It's intriguing in that you can check the front for visible dust, etc. without the constant flip. I'll try it!

I have a hanging light (Delta, available at home improvement stores) with a filtered fan built in directly above my fitting surface on the end of a 15' X 42" X 42" high table. The light is 22" above the work surface and provides additional lighting on my fitting area...needed as you young folk will find out as you approach 50 yrs of age. It holds two flourescent lights and I put one cool and one warm light in to get some semblance of 5500K lighting.

When working on larger pieces I pivot the frame up on its edge from the end of the table and rest it against the flat edge of the light. I then can ease it down from one side of the table by gripping both edges. Works well until you get work larger than your wingspan. When that happens I enlist the help of the first person I see.

I also take a digital photo of every job often with a smiling customer holding the work. My customers love that I have a record for insurance purposes and I can link the photo to the frame order on my computer for future reference. It also allows me to show examples of work to customers or put up a slideshow presentation of work on my sales floor.

Dave Makielski
 
Ron,Just a thought. How large is your infmaous Mat Mistro's easle?But thrn is it on an incline? I have done some similar work on my Wizard's guide rails.
BUDDY
 
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