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Re: Ask Your Linenbacking & Restoration Questions

David said:

That's pretty cool stuff Charlie.

I wonder why there is no clamp type frame system that you can lock the canvas in place and just wind out to suit. Maybe have a couple of extension bars to suit different sizes, seems to be very manual that set up

One thing to consider is how long the posters sometimes stay on the frame. For example I probably have 20+frames at this point. I still have a poster that has been on a frame for almost a year because it is a stubborn restoration and mine. How much would 20 of these frames cost? Each say OS frame is about $10... Lets say the stretch fame is $100... Even if I was efficient and just had 10 frames, that is $1000. Plus all the misc meterials; how will it hold up. When it's completely wet will it rust? And so on and so on... If all my frames are full, I hop in the truck by 2 pieces of 2x4 and go to town.

Matt said:

I spoke with my Dad months ago about that. He says they do have that sort manufacturing process for pre stretched canvas frames sold in art and craft shops. Probably not viable for your Dario's in the world, but I see your point. Something homemade might be the ticket. Just getting it small enough to fit into a studio might be an obstacle?

This could work but I would say I can do a frame in about 10-15 minutes, from start to finish. The system would have to be automatic, like in a factory to make it worth it and then how many times am I going to stretch a canvas. You could devise a system to stretch the canvas over a frame with weights I suppose, but then you need excess linen and you would have to still have to cut it to size and clamp it up. It would also take up more space. The table I was working on is also where I do the masa, the poster to masa, the paper fills, etc. Maybe for a shop like PM, but they still do it the old fashion way too.