Floating frame for stained glass work

[andrew whicker]

Hi all,

Got an interesting request from someone. They wanted a floating frame for their glass artwork. I've made floating frames before for thick canvas. It's easy to make one because the bottom of the artwork sits on the bottom of the frame and you create the effect by making the frame a little larger than the artwork.

However, with a piece of glass, I'm not sure how to hold the glass. All I can think of is to request having her solder on metal rods (think 3/16" TIG wire) perpendicular to the glass. I could then drill holes in the bottom of the frame and epoxy those metal rods into the wood. I'd have to be careful with making sure the glass and wood were flush, but I could possibly just lay the assy upside down on a flat table top.

This idea has some far fetched-ness to it. Are there any other ideas?

Here is an example of a previous floating frame for canvas for those that didn't understand my word description above.

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404363


Thanks and cheers,

[Perry Holbrook]

I don't know how big the glass panel is, but keep in mind its weight. Many years ago, I made and framed some stained glass panels. Even tho I would reinforced the miter joints,if the frame was hung in the usual way by the top rail, over time the top miter would separate. My solution was to attach a wire on the edge of the glass panel from top to bottom. Then run the wire thru holes in the top rail and terminate the wire into an eyelet. Then hang from the eyelet. I've got a panel that is 30 years old, 36" x 36", with a very small oak frame around it, done in this manner, miters still tight.

If you use a thin black wire with a black back panel I would think this method would give the appearance of the glass floating within the frame.

Perry

[johnny means]

You could use brazed on threaded . standoffs on the back of the glass. Corresponding holes in the frame backing would allow you to bolt the two assemblies together.

[Carl Beckett]

Great question as I am in the middle of a project needing the same so let me know what you come up with. I dont have mitered corners so first thought was to simply put them in a rabbet and use frame 'tabs' (you can buy small tabs for picture frames that screw on, then swing out over the edge of the glass to keep it in).

Have seen some older pieces that used a small strip which was held in with tiny brads. Another one had small 'blades' that pressed in all the way around.

I like Johnnys suggestion - but maybe a soldered on 'tab'. Could just piece a flat piece of metal with a hole in it, and they solder it onto the glass a few places around the edges. Then just screw it in. (adjust the rabbet depth as needed)

[Steve Demuth]

I don't think it's far fetched. But, I would suggest putting multiple pegs at various stress points in the stained glass joints, and then attaching the whole thing to a Masonite backer that you rabbet into the frame.

[Warren Lake]

I had three or four rabbets in back of this and one left an air space for the LED panel, likely not needed but he wanted it. Make sure a frame is strong with stained glass if if flexes in over time I can put pressure on the glass and even do damage.

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[andrew whicker]

Do you have any close ups of this frame? You did a really nice job. I am tempted by electronics, but also turned off by the idea of figuring out where to put everything. I haven't looked into it. You have really good consistent lighting, did you use a light panel or strips of LED's along the sides?

Is this battery operated or plug in?

[Jim Becker]

I'd probably make a "backwards canvas" type construction so that the stained glass assembly can be fastened to the edges with adhesive to support it without affecting transparency and the ability to back-light if necessary.

[Warren Lake]

404393404394

three steps not four. I built it out of some used pine and finished it in post cat. He plugged it into the wall you can see the switch below it on the wall and he ran the cable inside the drywall.

[John TenEyck]

Here a few ways I've mounted glass panels, all about 1 meter long. All are at least 20 years old. First is a light box; the glass is captured in dados in the top and bottom rails; just sits there with no padding, etc. It is easily removed by taking off the top rail so the inside surface can be cleaned.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/gla9lR6QpHju3wELm1vdGjrPKFQSYwSeLQ0K9ViQ4wuHWvmO_N 51bzo9bMcuQBX7565Lgxuj7rpMQDUr5sRpk1AgNzC5OUO6N0ON dYjhr2B3I0xlpfzQeSdG9BDJwwsANtWh3WqBSDoghscz-KSytSrALQ0eHyYPGirP6zIS1kR4g19rO0ShF9mQoTCVucg91cv _cgDloUVpvc2BFFER_DlSdTpviocSG_0Noy8tM1Dem1ZBAXaPY 8_t8ApXGWQbsHpj5-_SEMr9R1odWHMI2otoy0h0si9VWyLYkxeox-6M4nB1LEqiYa6X0u0lmNwoXWfIllJFcPWdDS2YKLrfcYC8Et6i 98W5IbKQ7XAxA8EXa-z6WCtR_Uu0BT1UFeb6zxocgvfS7mxJOiZ619Zn614mD2OflYSn zqKRgd-_7GNxXFqyiTXIGchz7SeRetPQHIihGw2p3lbGuy7unPIgNItT-3_sH-cLtGxuo26_eNu_Gx_FlK0apHXKA41r0edng3EKiJyQfGfFRzjZ li5SEdj0EZr1I6Z5KHA-HrvgTwv3RWm4-0N6T8WW8OGh-yMQSjervV5K8UC-gQZHpaHy387zGWjqCHoxGCIAAjkLeLiEPS8vqSZ4eaybjSMO15 oeAELJMDBixBkMWuLXQxbisRhuVQcNCNx8_r1K_AJHDKZqlV1U Mu6mwIcf0pv5i5S7esN-RxonT7rYlv0keOnTO7fCYg=w470-h626-no


Here's a typical picture frame mounted one. The frame is about 3-1/2" wide and has splined miter joints. The glass sits in a rabbet in the back with a few dabs of silicone around the perimeter to hold it in place. The panel is hung by the top rail by screws set into the studs as close to the ends of the frame as allowed by the location of the studs and width of the frame.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pCVni0enknqfLJ33brnTkuxrO7RYhf8kVPGKQlQ76eXJFP8WmB JI96gCf64BPlndmCjjSs2ybZEcZGoDiuQ-VgtJDUI1rxEmsmRVHiMDA3W4vM9mgnZnt2y-W8__Qm_k2bT-m7h6mXNWPd1HaPFKho9AsY2SNcSNPL-dx_Pdvyhbfu3zo5FvqwlplXnLLvYur3gLjQOxTzZFuPq7fe_7o wfLRFuusHpBf7QfYz_UJd2_7iu5a-49iVrI7HuVgEJ0DiGIv4yYv_8MeK0Z1JbJ3j-GHDfJk7_ejaOPUDZSSkjFb7dFcnQYuZpFbSHy-o6wUMR-FBpCF03InBYsAVoG0nUBGsoWUagN9SXgSvp0_leKaB7sdW_bHT OvZdbtTDX6Idvq5b8_JovcWkfZM1qnZekviE4FG8RvqK81qEhz 57Ontuzs8AMW_6lfk9Y22LzUZRzCm5x63b2tJhZ0XNZmbh1I3E jA5U3ara5oCkQPbVfBwfyMGEqBqrPblo2dk5yWPpzMKxc7Mi1m QwDIFoixFFV2F4JoGlE6q4v37u3DoyUEne1D5cs--YmoPTpmzodYi8JaesCLVzZTw_HvZdfcZ3ldz-YNA2WKRbUR0A7RCXOIPMcWdjtF_oMjE1MDIJEzM2HsBhGPWSIc 9mfrIYda6-gvWW6Vw4ErlRqbnAjPytQ2n3ntm4va-X0wmi0AhRiajwjs_ouoCyXxNyOZy0SchsMedA=w800-h600-no

And this one is glued with construction adhesive into dados cut in the two stiles. Nothing more. The "frame" is hung by cables.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/uEExSZpgVE-KEoHHPTO-XljuzKdfcd3tRXEsew-aY6PxxgKork8k9gdvACkVGJbGSC9psPeHa798fPIntM7VwbWuo 69Sfq2kuWs457ogN2ZAY8KVuqaxJgoUQ2xq9RrbD9JAAjFP12Q 0fcIIscxWWCGKZXGIrodm3vAdPNjy4oAGMEbt1mSQU-q43RKcAds7W9QyaTQEOq-uC4f90tB3cFSvDMuzzyPCIBpRs8gsDdQ3tcVO0xusZFcEqVV5w _Vkmq4gC8vC85HUV3fmZl6mytcDh6Ldo7x0kKS0280wehuvO_E lX59EzScij1Qnc3VqxC90AYU4IsefRU5PjcUqTIPQfn5FqKOeT mM9e9JPUqHmn4f8wleouG8xmHx1lzk1IswKVDc-TUlWrTptsH4UzL9jblQsS45LkfhlD-zwHHLhTdv3h-oe1tn6_rJ0LAcNhxnOchhTxlPhnRWUG4bRPbU7yH9Gj9OVrk1W-Ef6i2V2BEhIGvG1-jXvMwcQfN6EvR0eDcHZByuxnY3izUUb7ozC6fgUIxKgj2PPgJl VdNnrgiMTDeZ8yV51dpZpnNxuk5w10c_sYP5lMuD3QjMkCAKEP HpVa1S8Up6TTdQcM9FPnYj7PsLCP3q_PCEUuqSVk6K5O6jHsgj h-iPrtg4sgAcKEAEfy_WNvTIMRVc5H6stompboJzk5ESJIsKo6j0 V4JXF7SWUdMG5ZoY5AyeR-UpZAQ=w835-h626-no

John