Framing a flat screen TV

[Terry Hart cpf]

Had a custmer ask about framing a flat screen TV. If I get the job I'll probably have to go to his house to do it. Has anyone framed one? Anything to watch out for? I suppose offsets should work for fitting? Terry

 

[Framerguy]

I would opt for gluing rare earth magnets to the edge of the flat screen factory assembly. You could then screw small flat head wood screws into the rabbet or whatever area comes in contact with the edge of the screen assembly.

With 2 on each side, there should be more than enough holding power to keep the frame in place.

Framerguy

Edit:

A good 2 part 5 minute epoxy would be adequate to hold the rare earth magnets on the edge of the screen assembly. I am looking at my screen and it would be no problem whatsoever to frame it with whatever I chose to put on it.

[ 12-15-2003, 10:21 AM: Message edited by: Framerguy ]

 

[MarkG1]

FGII,

Are you sure the magnets will not disrupt anything with the screen?

I know to keep them away from reg tv's and monitors. Have you ever seen what they do?


Just something to keep in mind.

 

[Framerguy]

Mark,

That is a very good point, grasshopper! Even the "Old Master" has much to learn of the "new ways".

Keep up with that type of creative thinking and you will be wearing the "marks of the tiger" in no time at all!

Framerguy

P.S. Hey, did you lose my email address? I am curious for an update on the new location!!

 

[wpfay]

A client of mine has had this done, but the frames were custom made by a cabinet maker. One of the issues in fitting the frame to the TV was that the edges of the TV casing were not straight, and the rabbet width had to be increased to accomodate. The back of the frame was built out and the frame was mounted to the wall around the TV, with no direct attachment to the TV.
If the frame is to be supported by the TV, you might want to use velcro attachments that wrap around the back of the TV case.
This would be one I would like to see a picture of when completed.

 

[WizSteve]

While not really a TV, this guy built a computer monitor into a picture frame. He used wood spacers on the inside and mounted everything with brackets.

With the TV though I would bet you'd have to be very creative. If you mount the frame to the TV you need to make sure that the TV can support the extra weight (some of those flat screens are bloody heavy as it is).

And about the magnets - if the flat screen is a plasma or LCD display, it will be immune from the effects of magnetic fields as they don't use electron beams like CRT monitors and "tube" TVs.

 

[framah]

Let's assume the TV is already hanging on the wall. What you need to build is a box with the frame attached to the front of it, with the bottom open so it can slide down over the TV and hang on a pinch cleat of 3/4 plywood attached to the wall at the top of the box. You will need to provide some air holes or slots in the top of the box for the heat to escape. This will make it look like a shadow box on the wall. Try that. If need be, email me a fax number and I'll draw it out for you.