Question Want a history Lesson on v-nails and foam core.

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Grey Owl

Grey Owl

SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
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Nov 2, 2007
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Lakewood, CO
When did framers first start using v-nails and when did they start using foam core?

I have seen some really old frames that had wooden nails (used a magnet to see if any metal for joining), and I've seen some with square / rectangular heads on metal nails, and lots of frames assembled with brads. But when did they start using v-nails, with a hammer; followed by v-nails with what ever, then a pneumatic nailer, joiner?

Also, when did Foam core really start?

thanks
 
When I first dabbled in framing in the early 80's, all the framers I knew used 'proper' nails. One lady had a machine which incorporated a clamping system. She put a corner in the clamp, pulled a lever the joint was cross-nailed. Others used Ulmia clamps, miter vices or a string clamp and nailed by hand.

I think underpinners had been around for a few years before that time, but they were originally made for making boxes.
 
I started using a v-nailer about four years ago but I knew they were around for a much longer time. I still had huge boxes of brads my grandfather bought in the 1920 or 1930's... These boxes measured about 12" x 12" x 24"... figured I should use them up before I changed over. :o However I finally gave up. The six boxes with varying size brads are still about half full! My grandfather planned on being in business for a LONG time when he bought those!

As far as foam core... I remember using it in the 1960's or early 70's.

From Wiki:

History

The original white foamcore board was made in 1/8 inch (3 mm) and 3/16 inch (5 mm) thicknesses for the graphic arts industry byMonsanto Company under the trade name "Fome-Cor" starting in 1957.[SUP][1][/SUP][SUP][dead link][/SUP] Monsanto sold the business to International Paper in 1993, and the business is currently operated by 3A Composites. It is now widely-used as backing in art and document mounting andpicture framing, with archival-quality variants now available from several companies. It ranges in thickness from 1/16" - 1/2". It is not recyclable or biodegradable in normal situations.
 
Warren Tucker said:
We bought our first Cassese 810 in 1981 from Juhl Pacific and have used Cassese joiners since.
Click to expand...

We were also early adopters from this same era, and we still use Cassese joiners. It was the underpinner that revolutionized our DIY business. Customers no longer joined their own frames in vises. They no longer pounded nails through the side of the frame, collapsing in frustration while we repaired their errors. We implemented a small joining charge on all frames and wet joined them while customers waited. At the time our print ads for this mandetory part of the DIY service were titled, "Shoot from behind!"
 
I began using Monsanto's fome-core back in the seventies. To my everlasting shame, they interviewed me and published an article about stretching needleworks on fome-core in their Monsanto magazine.

Of course it was the clay-coated board and instead of sewing pins I used #19 x 1/2" brass escutcheon pins.

Oh! The shame, the shame! :party:
 
Dave said:
I started using a v-nailer about four years ago but I knew they were around for a much longer time. I still had huge boxes of brads my grandfather bought in the 1920 or 1930's... These boxes measured about 12" x 12" x 24"... figured I should use them up before I changed over. :o However I finally gave up. The six boxes with varying size brads are still about half full! My grandfather planned on being in business for a LONG time when he bought those!

As far as foam core... I remember using it in the 1960's or early 70's.

From Wiki:

History

The original white foamcore board was made in 1/8 inch (3 mm) and 3/16 inch (5 mm) thicknesses for the graphic arts industry byMonsanto Company under the trade name "Fome-Cor" starting in 1957.[SUP][1][/SUP][SUP][dead link][/SUP] Monsanto sold the business to International Paper in 1993, and the business is currently operated by 3A Composites. It is now widely-used as backing in art and document mounting andpicture framing, with archival-quality variants now available from several companies. It ranges in thickness from 1/16" - 1/2". It is not recyclable or biodegradable in normal situations.
Click to expand...

My uncle used to work for Monsanto, making foam core. He told me once that it was developed as insulation for trailers.
 
I started framing in June 1987 using a Bostich brad gun and a vice. After a year or so I got sick of filling nail holes and bought a Heinz Teichert manual V-nailer which was a typically German machine - built like a tank - and it served me well until I graduated to my current Brevetti pneumatic. The really handy feature of the manual was that if a corner was giving me grief I could clamp it in the v-nailer and leave it there, sometimes overnight, to let the glue get a good grip.

I first used Fome-Cor around 1990.
 
Had a lady artist in yesterday enquiring about frames. She mentioned that she had 'had a go' at making her own frames with a miter block and saw and nailing the corners. I said I bet there were a few gaps in the corners, but she said, "oh no it they fitted together perfectly but when I picked them up they fell to bits".

Slight deviation from the topic, but I just though I would share that little tale. It brightened my day more than a bit. ;)
 
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