Mounting Stone Axe Heads

[Brig]

I have been given 5 very old stone axe heads to frame, each 15cm by 5cm and therefore a weight concern. I would appreciate any practical advice or learning from experience points! My thoughts are to PVA glue Arqadia suede mount to MDF for a sturdy backing and then hot glue the stones to the suede mount. Then pin the mount to the bottom of a box frame. Will the stones hold? Will the mount buckle away from the MDF over time? Is there a better way?

[pramsay13]

I'm thinking a mechanical fixing such as metal hooks or wire over it, like the kind of thing they would have in a museum.

Perhaps a smaller version of this. Maybe ask your local museum what they would do.

[easypopsgcf]

Depending on depth, you could sink them into foamboard covered in a velvet or similar material. But i would suggest you dont stick anything onto them and as suggested, find a method of fixing without harming them, fine wire, melinex straps,i'm sure Lion do some object framing plastic holders.

[Elite]

Hi Brig. As easyposgcf mentioned, stick with the melinex (mylar). You can get sheets or rolls of it.....sorry cant give you UK distributors coz I'm down here. Good luck.

[Not your average framer]

These are very heavy items and capable on causing glass breakage in the event of the mounting method failing.

Therefore, you will need to ensure that you have fully addressed the safety and security of any mounting method employed.

Personally, I have my doubts about hot melt adhesives being up to the job!

Mylar and formed rods would be my preferred method! Better safe, than sorry!

[prospero]

I would go with some system of formed rods. Apart from the archival issues, there gluing is never going to be reliable as whatever powerful stuff you use you never know how good the stone is. A bit could flake off.

What about 30amp electrical cable? That's pretty strong stuff but easily formed. If you strip out the live strand it will have a nice brown plastic sleeve already on.

[Roboframer]

Piano wire, coathanger wire, whatever wire as long as it won't corrode - then cover in shrink tubing and paint whatever colour to match.

Correx is a strong, light backing and the channels can be used to hold the rods securely in place - pop down here, I'll teach you, for a fee

Once upon a time these heads were tied to a shaft, or perhaps slotted and tied - so I think that a cross of leather thonging - authentic or not, would look good and be v strong, failing that, wide-ish melinex straps - those would be my preferred methods, in order.

[Steve N]

Once upon a time these heads were tied to a shaft, or perhaps slotted and tied - so I think that a cross of leather thonging - authentic or not, would look good and be v strong
I like that idea John

[IFGL]

100% agree and mylar would be my last resort.

[Roboframer]

Bognor would be mine, it's the pits.

[IFGL]

You haven't been to Skegness then.

[prospero]

If you think Skeggy is the pits you obviously haven't been to Cleethorpes.

[Graysalchemy]

You need to go to Blackpool out of season that is the Dogs Danglies

[IFGL]

I had erased Cleethorpes from my memory, the zombies traumatised me.

[stcstc]

was born in scunthorpe, i need not to say anymore )

[prospero]

Ah. Sunny Scunny. I spent a fortnight there one weekend.

[Not your average framer]

Bognor would be mine, it's the pits.

I know Bognor, it's a blot on the landscape. Needs a bypass!