Folks,
Need bit of advice. I am making a custom mirror frame to match a vanity
I made earlier in the summer. I have the concept down of building a
pitcure frame to hold the glass with a rabbet from the back but I am looking
for ways to hold the mirror in the rabbet -- first thought is to use
silicone caulk as a glue but I am wondering if I need some sort of
mechanical means to hold the mirror in the rabbet (in addition or instead of
the glue/caulk). Of course the mirror will be hung from the frame .....
Cheers
Sam the Cat wrote:
> Folks,
>
> Need bit of advice. I am making a custom mirror frame to match a vanity
> I made earlier in the summer. I have the concept down of building a
> pitcure frame to hold the glass with a rabbet from the back but I am looking
> for ways to hold the mirror in the rabbet -- first thought is to use
> silicone caulk as a glue but I am wondering if I need some sort of
> mechanical means to hold the mirror in the rabbet (in addition or instead of
> the glue/caulk). Of course the mirror will be hung from the frame .....
Make a double rebate, one for the mirror and one for a 1/4" plywood backing that
can be screwed to the frame.
--
Jack Novak
Buffalo, NY - USA
(Remove "SPAM" from email address to reply)
"Prometheus" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Sat, 23 Oct 2004 20:45:11 -0400, "Sam the Cat"
> The standard method is to use glazing points (just ask for them at the
> hardware store, they should have 'em anywhere) and then use a glazing
> compound to seal and hold the mirror in place. Easy to do, even for a
> beginner- the glazing points just press in with a flathead screwdriver
> or putty knife, and the glazing compund is applied just like caulk.
Are you sure about what you are saying concerning Mirrors? I just posted
pics of a curio cabinet that has a 2 mirrored back. My local glass supplier
indicated that most any sealant adhesive or glue that comes in contact with
the mirror back can damage the mirror backing. Also if using glazing points
you could scratch the back plating on the mirror.
I went with my own 1/4" rounds and brad nailed them in.
On Sun, 24 Oct 2004 19:48:16 GMT, "Leon"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>
>"Prometheus" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>> On Sat, 23 Oct 2004 20:45:11 -0400, "Sam the Cat"
>
>> The standard method is to use glazing points (just ask for them at the
>> hardware store, they should have 'em anywhere) and then use a glazing
>> compound to seal and hold the mirror in place. Easy to do, even for a
>> beginner- the glazing points just press in with a flathead screwdriver
>> or putty knife, and the glazing compund is applied just like caulk.
>
>
>Are you sure about what you are saying concerning Mirrors? I just posted
>pics of a curio cabinet that has a 2 mirrored back. My local glass supplier
>indicated that most any sealant adhesive or glue that comes in contact with
>the mirror back can damage the mirror backing. Also if using glazing points
>you could scratch the back plating on the mirror.
>
>I went with my own 1/4" rounds and brad nailed them in.
You could be right, of course. I've done a lot of windows like this,
but only 2 or 3 mirrors. In all cases, everything worked out just
fine, but I didn't do any mirrors until after I had replaced the glass
in about 3 dozen windows, so I may have just had the right touch when
it came to putting in the points. Honestly, it's been long enough
that I don't even really remember whether I used glazing compund or
not with the mirrors, so it's possible the stuff could wreck the back
of a mirror (Though I remember it being ok IIRC- it could be that the
product I used had a different chemical composition than some others)
Obviously, standard advice applies here- test in a hidden area before
using anything in the final project!
On Sat, 23 Oct 2004 20:45:11 -0400, "Sam the Cat"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>Folks,
>
> Need bit of advice. I am making a custom mirror frame to match a vanity
>I made earlier in the summer. I have the concept down of building a
>pitcure frame to hold the glass with a rabbet from the back but I am looking
>for ways to hold the mirror in the rabbet -- first thought is to use
>silicone caulk as a glue but I am wondering if I need some sort of
>mechanical means to hold the mirror in the rabbet (in addition or instead of
>the glue/caulk). Of course the mirror will be hung from the frame .....
The standard method is to use glazing points (just ask for them at the
hardware store, they should have 'em anywhere) and then use a glazing
compound to seal and hold the mirror in place. Easy to do, even for a
beginner- the glazing points just press in with a flathead screwdriver
or putty knife, and the glazing compund is applied just like caulk.
>Cheers
>
"Sam the Cat" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Folks,
>
> Need bit of advice. I am making a custom mirror frame to match a
> vanity
> I made earlier in the summer. I have the concept down of building a
> pitcure frame to hold the glass with a rabbet from the back but I am
> looking
> for ways to hold the mirror in the rabbet -- first thought is to use
> silicone caulk as a glue but I am wondering if I need some sort of
> mechanical means to hold the mirror in the rabbet (in addition or instead
> of
> the glue/caulk). Of course the mirror will be hung from the frame .....
>
> Cheers
>
>
You have some good tips already. I'll add that you might paint the rabbet
black, or you'll see the unfinished surface and the glass cut in the edge
reflection.
"Prometheus" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Sun, 24 Oct 2004 19:48:16 GMT, "Leon"
> <[email protected]> wrote:
(Though I remember it being ok IIRC- it could be that the
> product I used had a different chemical composition than some others)
> Obviously, standard advice applies here- test in a hidden area before
> using anything in the final project!
Just to clarify that a bit more, I was under the impression that the damage
to the plating could be over a period of time. Testing may not be long
enough unless you let the test go for a year or 2.
Perhaps a piece of mirror with several possible compounds used for a long
term test.
"Sam the Cat" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Folks,
>
> Need bit of advice. I am making a custom mirror frame to match a
> vanity
> I made earlier in the summer. I have the concept down of building a
> pitcure frame to hold the glass with a rabbet from the back but I am
> looking
> for ways to hold the mirror in the rabbet -- first thought is to use
> silicone caulk as a glue but I am wondering if I need some sort of
> mechanical means to hold the mirror in the rabbet (in addition or instead
> of
> the glue/caulk). Of course the mirror will be hung from the frame .....
>
> Cheers
I mad my own 1/4 rounds and brad nailed them in. My glass supplier strongly
advised against using any type of adhesive or sealant for mounting a mirror.
Apparently these compounds will damage the mirror plating if they get on the
plating.
"Andy Dingley" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Sat, 23 Oct 2004 20:45:11 -0400, "Sam the Cat"
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>I am looking for ways to hold the mirror in the rabbet
>
> I use a backing board, same as for picture framing. Small brads hold
> the board in place. The backer may be hardboard (masonite), or for
> better work (especially with big mirrors) it's hardboard with a layer
> or artist's grey mounting board on the inside.
>
> If you have moisture movement problem in the frame, you can twist and
> crack a big mirror. A soft mounting board interlayer helps avoid this.
>
> Don't use silicone caulk near mirrors. It releases acid when it cures
> and that damages the silvering. Use either electronics-grade
> (low-acid) silicone, or a special mirror-mounting mastic (cheaper).
>
>
>
> Rabbet jokes:
> http://www.frozenreality.co.uk/comic/bunny/index.php?id=52
> --
> Smert' spamionam
spray the edge and the first few inches of the back paint with clear varnish
or lacquer to protect the edge.
"Leon" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Prometheus" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> On Sun, 24 Oct 2004 19:48:16 GMT, "Leon"
>> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>
> (Though I remember it being ok IIRC- it could be that the
>> product I used had a different chemical composition than some others)
>> Obviously, standard advice applies here- test in a hidden area before
>> using anything in the final project!
>
> Just to clarify that a bit more, I was under the impression that the
> damage to the plating could be over a period of time. Testing may not be
> long enough unless you let the test go for a year or 2.
>
> Perhaps a piece of mirror with several possible compounds used for a long
> term test.
it doesn't take that long. acids used for soldering mirror into stained
glass items can destroy the edges in just a few days.
"Sam the Cat" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>
> I am wondering if I need some sort of
> mechanical means to hold the mirror in the rabbet (in addition or instead
> of
> the glue/caulk).
You want a glass retainer. Rockler has them and I'm sure others do also.
On Sat, 23 Oct 2004 20:45:11 -0400, "Sam the Cat"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>I am looking for ways to hold the mirror in the rabbet
I use a backing board, same as for picture framing. Small brads hold
the board in place. The backer may be hardboard (masonite), or for
better work (especially with big mirrors) it's hardboard with a layer
or artist's grey mounting board on the inside.
If you have moisture movement problem in the frame, you can twist and
crack a big mirror. A soft mounting board interlayer helps avoid this.
Don't use silicone caulk near mirrors. It releases acid when it cures
and that damages the silvering. Use either electronics-grade
(low-acid) silicone, or a special mirror-mounting mastic (cheaper).
Rabbet jokes:
http://www.frozenreality.co.uk/comic/bunny/index.php?id=52
--
Smert' spamionam
On Sat, 23 Oct 2004 21:14:13 -0400, "Eric Ryder"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>
>"Sam the Cat" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>> Folks,
>>
>> Need bit of advice. I am making a custom mirror frame to match a
>> vanity
>> I made earlier in the summer. I have the concept down of building a
>> pitcure frame to hold the glass with a rabbet from the back but I am
>> looking
>> for ways to hold the mirror in the rabbet -- first thought is to use
>> silicone caulk as a glue but I am wondering if I need some sort of
>> mechanical means to hold the mirror in the rabbet (in addition or instead
>> of
>> the glue/caulk). Of course the mirror will be hung from the frame .....
>>
>> Cheers
>>
>>
>You have some good tips already. I'll add that you might paint the rabbet
>black, or you'll see the unfinished surface and the glass cut in the edge
>reflection.
Lots of tips, I see after reading the whole thread. Glazing points
are the easiest, though- and they are the standard hardware for just
about any window.
If it's a square frame then it is a simple matter of making some backing
strips of wood that matches the frame. Use silicone on both sides of the
mirror, and then put the wood strips so that they sit flush with the back of
the frame. Make them rectangular, with the shorter dimension going vertical
onto the mirror. Bevel the outer inside edge and drive pin nails into the
frame to secure the strips. I've done this several times when putting glass
into projects (cabinets, clocks, etc.) and it really looks better than
anything else I've seen. For a mirror, where noone will likely see the
back, there might be other ways to do it, although this approach isn't very
difficult.
Mike
"Sam the Cat" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Folks,
>
> Need bit of advice. I am making a custom mirror frame to match a
> vanity
> I made earlier in the summer. I have the concept down of building a
> pitcure frame to hold the glass with a rabbet from the back but I am
> looking
> for ways to hold the mirror in the rabbet -- first thought is to use
> silicone caulk as a glue but I am wondering if I need some sort of
> mechanical means to hold the mirror in the rabbet (in addition or instead
> of
> the glue/caulk). Of course the mirror will be hung from the frame .....
>
> Cheers
>
>