Where do you attach your wire to the frame?

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Greetings,

I've been experimenting over the past few years trying to determine the optimal distance from the top down the sides of a frame at which to attach the wire. I started out attaching it 1/3 of the way down the sides but that made the artwork sort of hang out too far from the wall at the top for some of the pieces. I've now gone to a measure closer to 1/4 of the way down the sides from the top but ...

Anyone have any tried and true system that works for you? Does it depend on the piece? How do you best determine the proper attachment points?

Also, how much slack to you allow when you size the wire? When do you allow for 2 hook points instead of one ... does it depend on width or weight or both?

Still learning the ropes even after 4 years of doing this


Thanks in advance!
 
A third down from the top of the frame, and enough slack in the wire so that it comes up at a 60 degree angle is ideal. In the real world we don't exactly whip out the protractor, so just eyeball it.

If the frame angles out too much use D-ring/mirror hangers/strap hangers without wire. Or better yet, Wall Buddies.
 
check out FACTS.ORG

It will give you all the information you need on where to put the hangers. And why, and the weight... And other information that will just make your head spin.

Good luck
 
Attach-EZ Object mounting tools for picture framers
When I use wire instead of WallBuddies, I too place the wire 1/3 down from the top of the frame and I use a 15 degree angle with the wire.

I utilized a 60 degree angle for a while but, despite education, most customers insisted on tighter wire. And I mean, INSISTED!

What angle do other framers use for their wire tension???????? Please share........
 
Most references will instruct you to attach hangers 1/3 of the way down. However, Paul McFarland teaches that 1/4 is acceptable as well. The 1/3 down with more slack was when pictures and artwork were hung at higher levels, and they would have a slight lean from the wall.
 
Originally posted by Mike LeCompte CPF:
Gee Dave I thought the REAL answer was on the back of the frame.
Click to expand...
Mike,
I just saw this topic and thought exactly the same as you.....great minds think alike!!! ;) ;)
 
Originally posted by Sherry Lee:
When I use wire instead of WallBuddies, I too place the wire 1/3 down from the top of the frame and I use a 15 degree angle with the wire.

I utilized a 60 degree angle for a while but, despite education, most customers insisted on tighter wire. And I mean, INSISTED!

What angle do other framers use for their wire tension???????? Please share........
Click to expand...
I wire my frames pretty tightly because I find that the wire gives after a bit (depending on what wire you use) and it will usually stretch slightly to the place it will sit. Not to mention I hate pieces that hang away from the wall...

I use wall buddies a lot though.
 
I put mine somewhere between 1/4 and 1/3 of the way down, with some nice slack in the wire to make hanging easier. How much slack? I dunno, whatever looks right.

On exaggerated horizontals, I have even put the wire halfway down.

I have never had a picture hang out from the wall because of slack in the wire. Seems to me that only an angled wall could do that!

edie
 
Learn Framing at American Picture Framing Academy
OK. WallBuddies ... hmmm ... Looked at the site online and saw the price of $3.00 per "unit". First off, do you really like these better than a nice wire job with plastic-coated, stainless wire? Do your customers like them better than wire as well? Do you find that using these instead of wire saves you time or are they just a better way to do things?

Also, what about the cost? Is there a better price available through another supplier or is the "bulk" price available on their web-store the best price around? Finally, what does each "unit" contain? One corner? two? Does it come with any sort of nail with insert for the wall?

Thanks for your input in advance. They look cool but I would appreciate answers to the above before I jump in and buy a bunch of these.
 
First, thanks Dave.
Second, Wall Buddies are the best thing invented for hanging pictures. Lots of my customers remind me to use them on their pictures! They hang flat to the wall, and never slip off to the side.

Worth the price difference.
 
Watch-out! Wall-Buddies has a new spokesperson!


(sorry, Ron...I had to.)


Same here....1/3 seems to work. I do what Edie does on extreme horizontals. I don't worry about the slack cause it stretches some anyway. Never had a problem with it hanging too far away from the wall, and I've been in quite a few of my customers homes.
 
Learn Framing at American Picture Framing Academy
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