Setbacks in Nielsen aluminum frame

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Isaac.kaminsky

Grumbler in Training
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Does anyone do this? There is a client who is looking to match other framing that has matboard setbacks inside nielsen aluminum frames. There doesn't seem to be a safe effective way to do this?
 
Isaac.kaminsky said:
Does anyone do this? There is a client who is looking to match other framing that has matboard setbacks inside nielsen aluminum frames. There doesn't seem to be a safe effective way to do this?
Click to expand...
Are you referring to using matboard to make a tight fit rather than using spring clips?
If so, I see that alot. I will remark it's easier to take apart than fishing out the spring clips with my screwdriver. If the frame package gets to be that close to the depth of the metal frame channel, you really don't have a choice.
 
No, They want to float dimensional artwork but put it in the aluminum frame. 1/4" spacers are not enough so I need to be able to create more depth.
 
Isaac.kaminsky said:
No, They want to float dimensional artwork but put it in the aluminum frame. 1/4" spacers are not enough so I need to be able to create more depth.
Click to expand...
Is the aluminum frame style already set in stone?
How deep is the artwork?
There are a few profiles from Nielsen that are deeper than the average.
There is even ones specifically for making shadowboxes. N10014 Silver or N10021 Black
 
Yes, the nielsen is matching other frame jobs. There is adequate depth for the setbacks however properly attaching them to the metal wall and fitting it together without gapping seems to be the trickiest part
 
I'm still not clear what you need to achieve?
Can you post photos?

Sometimes it's OK to say to a client:
"No, that is not a good idea. And here's why: (list all the things that make this a Pain In The ^$$ aka P.I.T.A.)"
OR, make sure to charge twice your regular labour/fitting fee, because the time you spend trying to figure out this problem they have given you out counts as time spent on the project.
 
I dont have a photo but essentially we are framing a thick magazine with the art floating and no mat. Spacers are not deep enough to accommodate the object. we normally use matboard setbacks to achieve this but its really difficult to use them in an aluminum frame especially the way it needs to be fit.
 
Ok... make a box with really tiny side walls and then once that is taped together, tape the glass onto that to make a sealed package that slides into the frame.

Where you would normally use spring clips, use foam core or mat board fillers to make it snug in the frame.
 
Do your suppliers carry 3/8" hollow spacer? That works well, and you can slip strips of the same mat in the hollow part. Either that, or 1/2" Frame Space, which fits over the edge of the glass to hold. Either way, when using spacers, you'll want to avoid spring clips. With acrylic or spacers in metals, we skip spring clips and fill out the back with foam core.
 
Which profile frame?
 
I thunk outside the box (now my head hurts 🥴), would this work?
I used regular anvil pliers the bend a standard metal hanger into an offset shape.
You could bend it to fit the depth of your framing package perfectly.
offset.jpg

Place two or three on each side. That sucker ain't falling out of the frame ever!
Perhaps doing the same with the hangers that will hold the hanging wire will work?
Bend them a little taller than the ones that are acting as the offsets.

Just be aware that bending to a sharp crease could weaken the metal.
Keep a bit of a curve in the bend.
Might be prudent to do a test on a scrap metal frame.
Weight it with something that won't break if it falls and hang it for a week or so, just to be sure it will hold.

Just spitballing ideas. I've never done this. Use at your own risk.
 
We still do not know the whole story. What is the profile? So the client wants to use the same frame that was used to display a thin work of art for a new piece of art that is 3/8" thick plus - glass and backing? The client has to make a decision that they will not like to make...............
 
Are "Setbacks" simply spacers made of matboard, or something else?
If they are, I believe most of us would call them "matboard spacers"
I usually make my matboard spacers by gluing (or drymounting) matboard to 1/8" foamcore.
mat spacers in a metal frame is the one time I am likely to tape the glass to the package before inserting into the frame.
You mention floating without a mat. Does this mean floating on foam core, or simply floating on a mat, without a further mat around it.
In either case, could you use matboard as the backer, with no foamcore?
If so, you could ATG foamcore into the space between the metal frame sides to reinforce the project. Foamcore about 1" (wide and tall) smaller than the glass size.
 
Isaac.kaminsky said:
I dont have a photo but essentially we are framing a thick magazine with the art floating and no mat. Spacers are not deep enough to accommodate the object. we normally use matboard setbacks to achieve this but its really difficult to use them in an aluminum frame especially the way it needs to be fit.
Click to expand...
I'm not quite sure how non-matty 'no mat' is. Is any backing going to show out past the back of the magazine, or will the frame cover/meet the edges?
 
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