Floating Glass Picture

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Clockwork
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Floating Glass Picture

Post by Clockwork »

Looking for some feedback on framing large photos. I have a 17" x 66" print I've designed a frame for and am hoping someone else has done something similar enough to provide feedback. Just want to make sure it'll work in reality as it does in my head.

I'm experienced with metal fabrication but not picture framing or glass work.
PICTURE FRAME GLASS POST ASSEMBLY B_Page_1.jpg
PICTURE FRAME GLASS POST ASSEMBLY B_Page_2.jpg
Photo to be printed:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/clockworkbikes/52341774705/in/album-72177720301929104/

Thanks, Joel
JFeig
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Re: Floating Glass Picture

Post by JFeig »

Joel, There have been variants of this concept for at least 50 years in the sign and picture frame industries. Most use some sort of acrylic glazing vs real glass due to safety in public places where they are mostly seen.
There is available hardware on the market for such purpose.
Jerome Feig CPF®
http://www.minoxy.com
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pramsay13
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Re: Floating Glass Picture

Post by pramsay13 »

A few things that stick out for me.
Is the glass just normal float glass? If so the front 3mm glass would be at risk of cracking. It would normally be in a frame so would be protected but you are pressing against it at 4 points.
Your edges and corners will be particularly dangerous, even lethal.
I would advise against sandwiching a photo in between 2 sheets of glass. Normally a mount would be used to lift the glass off the paper. It's quite possible that the photo paper will go wavy as it expands and contracts with temperature variants.
If this is the style you are looking for I would suggest using acrylic with polished edges as there aren't the same thermal properties as glass and it will be much safer.
Clockwork
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Re: Floating Glass Picture

Post by Clockwork »

Thanks, that makes sense. It is float glass but the corners will have a small radius and the edges polished. This is also going high in my living room.
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pramsay13
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Re: Floating Glass Picture

Post by pramsay13 »

I'd still refuse to do it if you brought it to me and asked me to do it that way.
I'd try and talk you into putting a frame around it, but if that was a definite no-no, I would insist on plastic glass.
Clockwork
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Re: Floating Glass Picture

Post by Clockwork »

For those curious, I finally finished the frame and light. I ended up using two pieces of 1/4" gloat glass with polished edges and bumped corners.

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