The Framers Forum

Hello All,

Once again I am asking for help - so sorry!

A customer wants to float frame a large (expensive £1000's) painting on plywood. Dimensions are 180cmx125cmx5.2cm (HxWxD). It has a sort of subframe but has leant against a wall for a few years so is slightly bowed. I have suggested she lays it on the floor for a few weeks to flatten it.

She wants oak preferably.

My problem is not being able to source a float /tray / L shaped frame with a deep enough rebate. I have searched the usual suppliers; lion, L&J, R&H, Wessex, centrado, mainline plus ebay. Have I missed any suppliers?

Will I have to make my own or are there any hacks to work around it?

TIA

Without going through all the suppliers myself, just for an idea have a look at R&H A104. If you turn it on it's side so the rebate is at the bottom you can then affix some 6mm mdf to the base creating a seamless tray frame. I usually paint the mdf before fitting. yes the A104 is only in Obeche or Tulip but its the idea. Maybe A45 upside down with the board fitted from the inside if you have a tablesaw to cut a really accurate piece of bord to drop in.

It's wouldn't be too difficult to get a timber supplier the mill you up a simple flat section to whatever size you need.
Then make a subframe too fix the painting to. Once done, all you have to do is fix the Oak section to the edge of the subframe.

It going to be a big beast so using a subframe constructed like the one below is the best option for max strength and min weight.