refitting/wiring antique frames and mirrors

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Lisa in New Jersey

Lisa in New Jersey

CGF, Certified Grumble Framer
Joined
May 26, 2006
Posts
148
Loc
Jamesburg NJ
A LOT of my customers are senior citizens that either buy antiques or have VERY old frames they bring outta their attics to get re-wired or D-ringed... my problem is, I am very uncomfortable accepting a job where I know somewhere down the line this frame is gonna come crashing down because the wood is way too old and decayed-- especially MIRRORS!!!. I try to explain this, and it seems these people don't wanna hear it, they don't want to get a new moulding, and feel THEY know more than me. Should I just have them sign a statement where I assume no responsibility ? Is that legally binding?
One solution some customers liked was capping the old moulding with one that accents the piece.. but this is rare!
 
Nobody can sign away their right to sue, but a waiver or disclaimer may deter frivolous suits.

Why would an old frame, with appropriate new hardware, come crashing down? Generally they were better made, with better wood, than the frames we're building now.

The right hanger, with multiple attachment points, should outlive all of us (or at least me and FramerGuy.)

But don't ever let a customer persuade/bully you into doing something you know is not going to be functional. (e.g. 1/2" wood moulding on a 30x40 print with glass.)
 
Hey Ron! Lisa and I want to take you antiquing so that you can see some of the 'treasures' Lisa refers to.

A customer came in Friday with four small pictures that my father framed 20 years ago. "The are turning yellow" she said. I'm "re-everything" except the frame which I'd put money on were 20 years old when my father got the first job! I will clean them up, add wood glue to the gaping corners and use brads (framer's nails would be too much for these gems). I am replacing the screw eyes with D-rings, but will predrill the holes and screw by hand.

This sweet little old lady, whom can hardly walk, but still cares for four horses and many dogs will be pleased as punch! All four pictures are horse pictures!!
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Ron:

You have no idea how many damaged frames I get every week. Almost %90 of those are very old wooden frames that got too dry and brittle and the hook / D-ring / nail, whatever was used to hang them, just came loose.

If the wood looks sturdy, fine, otherwise, I refuse to re-wire anything that I consider an accident waiting to happen.
 
thanks guys! sure, if the wood is sturdy hard oak or something like that, I don't have a problem with it, it's the stuff you can see has gone through a few basement floods, has mold growing on it and can easily be punctured with a fingernail....that's what I'm talkin about! yuck! I find when I do these jobs, it's hard to determine the labor it takes to fix it. You never know what's hiding behind the backing!
I've actually found a newspaper article advertising cruises for the Titanic!! (I framed that baby for myself!)
Another framed we opened up revealed a great-grandfather's "mistress'" photo!! the family that inherited the picture actually got a kick outta that one!
 
My primary area is restoration work. In situations like this, if the frame warrants it, a structural accomodation can be built onto the back. Although in most cases, "old" frames are not really worth the labor costs. Some of the Victorian frames may appear substantial, but have inherent construction weaknesses. Not an issue when they were holding a canvas, but when a plate glass mirror is in there, watch out. I just did a repair job on one of these that "fell off the wall for no reason at all". I suspect I will see it again one day.
 
I'm sure we've talked about this before cuz that was where I learned the term 'plague frame'. I enjoy a rescue mission but charged extra if it involved killing spiders.

Kit
 
I love it! If I had to remove hand-forged nails, I always packaged them up for return to the customer - wish I'd thought of doing the same with the critters.

Kit
 
Liability is always an issue to consider, but not necessarily a killer issue.

When I am uncertain about the strength of a frame, I will say so. If the liability is great enough to damage my business, I will decline the job. For example, recently a woman wanted me to hang a 6'x8' framed mirror intended to stand on te floor. She wanted it hung 6 ft. off the floor...I declined.

But it's a judgment call, and profit speaks louder than liability in most cases. I have been known to sell reinforcement of a weakened frame with metal brackets or a back-box, just to be sure.

The flip side of the coin is that if we decline a job, the unknowing, skeptical consumer will probably keep asking around until some fool says OK. At some point it's better for us to charge appropriately, take in the work, and do it right.
 
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