Opinions Wanted oversize stretcher recommendation?

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Artistic Framer

Artistic Framer

CGF II, Certified Grumble Framer Level 2
Joined
Feb 22, 2007
Posts
425
Loc
Philadelphia, PA
I have a client who wants to temporarily display a huge work on paper. The backing will be primed canvas floater framed with maple. The finish size will be 102" X 138". I quoted him a price for building 4 wood stretchers with hardboard face, barrel-bolting them together on site, stretching the pre-primed canvas on the monster, and attaching the "floater frame" (more like an aesthetic lattice that will add support). Conservators will mount & hang the piece. There will be no glazing.

Yes it's pricey, but the client doesn't seem to mind that as much as he thinks the project sounds overbuilt for displaying a piece of paper. I agree, but have had a hard time finding solutions I'm comfortable with. He said it was displayed in Germany on an aluminum support fronted with canvas. I did find http://www.luciushudson.com/, but they haven't gotten back to me yet, so I thought I'd get your opinion.

Has anyone used an aluminum stretcher on this scale? Am I crazy to even entertain this method having never done it...AND it's due by the 2nd week of Jan? Any other ideas?

Thanks!!
 
You did not indicate the size of the stretcher bars. Part of your plan is to make the stretcher be self supporting and square to the wall. That alone sounds reasonable to me.
 
What is the dimension of the stretcher stock 1 x 3" 2 x 4"?

Why not use coroplast and forget the hard board?
 
RParrish said:
What is the dimension of the stretcher stock 1 x 3" 2 x 4"?
Click to expand...

That's totally our call. We were told to "make it work". My solution was using 1" X 4" poplar and lap join four 51" X 69" cross-braced stretchers. These would be barrel-bolted together on site, the canvas stretched over the whole thing, and the maple "lattice" attached.

RParrish said:
Why not use coroplast and forget the hard board?
Click to expand...

I'm considering leaving a backing out altogether.
 
I'd skip the hassle of trying to build a beast like that. Call Upper Canada Stretchers. They'll build a high quality stretcher probably for less than your materials will cost you (I haven't ordered one for awhile now, so I'm not up on their current prices).
 
Janet we sell Artist canvas 52'', 60",84",98",120"126",144" in 6yd, 7yd, 25yd, 30yd, 50yd, 100yd rolls
 
I have no clue, but one thought came to my mind. Will you be able to get this out the door after it is complete?
 
Candy said:
I have no clue, but one thought came to my mind. Will you be able to get this out the door after it is complete?
Click to expand...

We're completing it on-site.
 
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