Attaching fillets to mats

Lorenzo

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Joined
Sep 27, 2002
Posts
26
Location
Langley, BC, Canada
Hope to get many responses here. First time posting


What is the best way of attaching a fillet to a mat ?

We ATG the fillet but would be nice to get a more secure method as the corners at times want to open up as the mat is not as rigid as a frame.

Thank you
 
We first cut the fillets very carefully for size, using a disk sander we make small adjustments and true the 45 degree bevels, glue the fillets together using tight bold glue and a 45 degree vise. Then, using hand applied atg tape we fit the joined fillets to the mat. Next, we build-up the back of the mat with foam core to the level of the fillet ... leaving about 1/8" of space between the fillet and the foam core. Into this channel we place a very thin bead of glue. After the glue "sets-up" we cover the fillet's back, the glue channel and the edge of the foam core with acid free artist's tape. Then, with the mat face down we let everything dry. The fillets have never come apart ... However, this is a time consuming process. This is our way ... I suspect there are many others.
 
What Bud said - except for the glue. I haven't tried that.

When a time crunch or really huge size has caused me to order frames joined, I notice that LJ uses hot glue to attach the fillet. I haven't tried that either, but I suspect it's messy because I sometimes need to use a razor blade to trim away the excess globs.

Kit
 
I use the same method as Bud except for the glue. I have been doing this for years and have not had any trouble. I don't think you need the glue as I have mine taped with ATG to the mat and acid free framers tape to the build up of foam core.
 
Is a metalic rabbit tape then used over the fillet or is there always an acid free mat used under the fillet package?
 
I prefer to use a conservation mat under the fillet. I had to replace a mat on one job where the fillet was only stuck to the under mat and the filler and top mat together. It fit so nicely and certainly was nice to replace. Other wise I do as others suggested but I glue the fillet as a frame and then cut my mat to fit.
 
I always use rag mat on the bottom so the fillet doesn't touch the print. I also cover the fillet back side with acid free tape.
 
Since I bought a fillet chopper from Tony and Kassandra at Atlanta this Sept., I have changed my way of mounting fillets. The chopper saves so much time in cutting accurate fillets once you have calibrated your chopper. I was cutting and trimming for many years on the chop saws until I bought this chopper and it has cut fillet mounting time in half.

I also found a fillet tape available from ASAP that is very aggresive and I see little need for adding other adhesive to the mount when using this tape. I usually add either rabbet tape or "metalized" to the underside of single mat fillets and nothing to the fillet when it is between 2 mats.

I also don't join my fillets ahead of time. I add them one leg at a time to the mat opening and build up behind them with foamcore or whatever thickness is required to level the back side of the mat.

Framerguy
 
Seems like nothing is ever the right thickness for fillet filling but I use a little tool I've had for years called a "Rabbet Cutter" that will cut a rabbet into the edge of foamboard. Then I can push the board against the fillet and the "rabbet" (at least partially) covers the back of the fillet and the fact that the foamboard was a little thicker than the fillet is no longer a problem.

Fillet labor is high. Do you comensate? Our POS only allows one price markup for fillets and that is the same as for moulding which is fine when adding to a frame but we have a "fillet in the mat" charge that we add. This also includes the cost of econospace as the fillet usually is a little above the surface of the mat which causes a problem with abrasion to both the fillet and conservation glass. Terry
 
Welcome Terry.
We charge extra for labor, guestimating the time involved from past experience.
 
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