Problem Repairing Frame Corner Separation

[cbh]

Hi there. I'm not a pro framer - rather a photographer who shows fine art work - but I'm learning a lot about the craft out of painful necessity.

I'm in need of some help repairing a set of frames (27" x 37") with separated corners. They're secured with v-nails, but from what I understand from my framer, they weren't glued, but secured (or not) with ATG tape - he told me this. This whole episode with these particular frames, in which the images float, has been a horror story from the start (March of this year), despite them doing other work for me where there were no problems.

I just hung a show of my fine art photography work with about 10 of these, all of which have separated (after having been returned once for other issues). Now he wants to fix them with finishing nails - other framers I've spoken to tell me this won't solve the problem, and that's been proven by one client who's already been subjected to this 'repair.'

I now have another framer making the frames and am doing all the mounting/matting myself, and they've turned out fine. I'm wondering if there is any way I can salvage the existing ones - can I inject glue into the joints and clamp them, or is there some other approach? Preferably one that doesn't involve bringing them back to the original framer for some other solution that won't work.

Thanks for your help!
Chris

 

[Paul N]

Welcome to the Grumble!

A framer who uses ATG to join frames is not really a framer. Not even a hobby framer!

A frame that will hold anything needs glue and (V) nails to establish a permanent join / bond, so it doesn't separate as you mention.

ATG is good mostly for lighter bonds, such as gluing mats together but nothing more serious that that. If you want those frames fixed (and stay joined!), they need to be treated as I mentioned.

 

[Randall C Colvin]

IMO, I doubt that simply injecting glue into the failed joint and clamping will prove satisfactory, at least for very long. The joints need to be disassembled, cleaned, maybe miter-sanded and re-joined with a good glue and v-nails, brads or thumbnail joiner. Your new framer should have no problem doing that.

 

[DVieau2]

Something may be mixed up here via terminology.

I find it hard to believe that a framer who owns an underpinner would use ATG to join the frame. ( I could be wrong)

Posting a picture would help solve your problem.

Doug

 

[framah]

Let's see.. no glue in the corners and he actually told you that ATG is what is holding them together??

Hack!! Definitely not a framer by any definition. Get as far away from this nutcase as you can.

Consider it a lesson learned and go with someone who actually knows what he is doing... preferably someone who is a certified picture framer.
Let your new framer fix the frames and you'll be good as new.

 

[Bob Doyle]

OK I think that the framer used atg to float the photos on the backing board and dry nailed the frame together.

Or the framer used PVA glue to join the frame, and mentioned ATG in the conversation.

I get this interpretation from these words

they weren't glued, but secured (or not) with ATG tape - he told me this. This whole episode with these particular frames, in which the images float, h

Secured -> the images to the mounting substrate. so the images float.


Not the right way to do it, and you now have a couple of problems to contend with, but bring them to a different framer. Break the corners apart chop them down 1/4" per side and glue and v-nail them together.

 

[Jeff Rodier]

The frame needs to be dissasembled and rejoined with glue and V-nails. End of story.

Never use the person that joined these in the first place as they are attempting to be a framer and doing a very, very poor job of it.

Welcome to the Grumble.

 

[Jim Miller]

Using ATG in frame corners would be exceptionally wrong, so that may be a misunderstanding. If the corners fit together accurately and do not contain ATG, then you may be able to slightly pry open the corners, inject proper glue, and clamp them until dry, preferably overnight. If you have miter vices, use them. If not, you can buy strap clamps at many hardware stores.

If the miters do not fit accurately, or if ATG actually was used, then I agree with all the others -- take the frames apart, re-miter to slightly smaller dimensions and join with a proper PVA glue and mechanical fasteners; V-nails are best. You will probably have to trim down the contents of the frames, as well. It's a lot of work, but utilizes the existing materials.

If ATG actually was used in those mitered corners, it would prevent bonding by a proper glue. The ATG must be removed.

 

[cbh]

Thanks for all the responses. I also considered the mounting issue as far as the images to the backing board but that's a whole separate problem that has also reared its ugly head, and one I think I've resolved separately. Except for the customers who bought four of these from me who'll be getting the 'Tylenol' call from me shortly. That would be the "There's a potential problem" conversation.

Cheers, and thanks again.
Chris

 

[danny boy]

Welcome Chris. Feel free to 'Grumble anytime...

 

[Baer Charlton]

To paraphrase Shakespeare: "First, we slay all the hack framers."

 

[Prospero]

To paraphrase Shakespeare: "First, we slay all the hack framers."

>>>>>>>> Exit, persued by a Baer.


I must say that using ATG instead of glue on the corners is a new one on me. I agree with the other comments. You could try and bodge it, but much better to dismantle the thing and re-join.