Big advice wanted for a big frame

[Fellows Framing]

Hi all,

I have had a query about framing an item 3.38m x 0.18m.

I am not aware of any mouldings or plastic glazing over 3.05m in length. Do you know of any? If so where would I source from please.

For the moulding if it needs to be from 2 lenghts do you have any tips on how to join them well so the join is not to visible?

Any ideas and tips gratefully received. (but not don't touch it with a barge pole!)

Thanks

[GeoSpectrum]

It doable apart from glazing. I’m sure acrylic is available
In that size it just depends on how many arms and legs the customer has to spare.

The moulding could be joined either with a scarf joint or a lap
Joint but it would need a decent metal plate at the rear
Reinforce things.

You would also need to consider cross bracing, at least three, and reinforced corners.

Then there is the question of backing, something to serve as a mount(?), and the associated joints. Fixing down the artwork etc.


Do you have enough space…

It may well be a barge pole job…but sometimes we framers like a challenge.


Cost? Who knows. I’d start at £2000, £4000 if you need glazing. And yes I’m pulling those numbers out of thin air…

[Gesso&Bole]

Chop it in three and make it a triptych!

[Not your average framer]

You can buy construction timber in lengths that will avoid needing to join individual moulding lengths. How are you set for a router and a table saw. Jobs like this are never cheap, wherever you go! However there's enough money in this to pay for a router and table saw. What are you like at making your own mouldings?

[Richard Photofusion]

You might be onto something with the barge poles - nice, well seasoned wood, probably far better quality than construction lumber. Table saw, router, (band saw?), all set to go for the wood.
Backings - acm is available in large sheets, if this is something you routinely use (if not, you're looking at buying a large sheet any way).

Sorry, first half mostly flippant, second half, might be an option.

[Not your average framer]

Which ever way you look at this, there is quite a bit of extra work and difficulty in jobs like this. More than a few of us would gladly pass off something like this. On the other hand there are those who specialise in taking on such jobs and make a good livving from doing jobs like this. Maybe It might be a worthwhile idea to sub contract this out and just add your profit margin on top. Wessex fine art might be able to make and deliver jobs like this for you. You would need to check first, but I think that they do this sort of thing!

There a huge amount of old buildings near me and as a result, there a lots of craftsmen who make old fashioned, but really nice quality windows from timber to match the originals. Craftsmen like this are located in most parts of the country and are likely to be a good choice as possible sub contractors who could easily make something like this for you. Also there plenty of carpentery buninesses who would know how to make a quality job of stuff like this. There are even a few frames on this forum, who can make mouldings to order, or even the whole frame. Perhaps it's worth asking?

[prospero]

I take it that it's not actually 13ft x 7inches.

Anyway, it's not too difficult if it were a hand-finished frame made up from plain wood and finished after joining.
Doing this would allow you to use a stacked combination with butt joins and to stagger the joins so that there is no
'weak' point.

But truthfully, I would avoid it like the plaque unless you have a vast workshop and lots of willing helpers. The glazing
alone would be a major headache.

[Not your average framer]

Glazing with perspex would be a simple matter for that size. Even my local hardware shop can cut me a 4mm thick piece of acrylic glazing that size and they can usually do that from stock. There's bound to be a supplier local to you who can do that for you in basic acrylic and cut it while you wait.

[fusionframer]

Not sure where you are in Gloucestershire, but i could machine a moulding that length from tulipwood, pine or oak. I am machining timber at moment, so could run some off. If it were a simple profile, it would be quick to do. I am fortunate to have a 4 sided planer so you square a bit of timber in 2 passes which is a real time saver.

Pm me if any use to you and i can work out a price for timber and a bit of time.

Nick

[Fellows Framing]

Thanks all for you time and advice.

Nick - I may be in touch with depending on customer.

IF I get to make it I will post some pics

All the best Sarah