Custom Framing At Your Fingertips: Nielsen Bainbridge Metal Frame Kits

Quite often we have customers who call needing assistance with the products we sell. Whether it is setting up an easel, stretching canvas, or in this case, assembling a metal frame kit, we try to answer any question that is asked. To us, that is just good customer service, so we do all we can to help out.

Recently, I had a customer who had questions about the Nielsen Bainbridge Metal Frame Kit. Now, these are very handy and practical frames as well as being a beautiful and inexpensive way to show off your artwork. They can be custom made to fit, otherwise, odd sizes of artwork.

Basically, you buy them in pairs.  For example, a pair of 8″ and a pair of 10″ would make an 8″ x 10″ frame. We carry three different profile shapes. Profile 5, which has a rounded front, is available in gloss black, gold, and silver. Profile 11, which has a flatter front and also available in matte black, gold, and silver. And the Accents profile, which has a very flat front and is available in matte black and German silver. All of the metal frame pairs come in lengths from 8″-40″, allowing you to decide the specific dimensions you need.

It seems the customer had difficulty putting the frame together, specifically, with the hanging brackets. The following demonstration of assembling the Nielsen Metal Frame Kits is the way I have found best to put the frames together. For the most part, I do follow the instructions provided on the package. However, I also have some tips to make it a little easier to assemble.

After purchasing the frame kits, I would advise taking inventory of all of the pieces that are included, allowing you to become familiar with the purpose of each part.  Each kit is packaged with two sides, two sets of corner braces and spacers, one hanging bracket, one corner bumper pad, and five metal springs to hold your picture material tightly in place. When you purchase two pair, you have everything you need to complete the frame. A flat head screwdriver is the only tool that is required to assemble the frame and all that is needed in addition to the kits is a length of picture hanging wire which is not included.

1. Stack the corner angle and spacer together with the “Nielsen” stamp on both facing up. Insert both into the frame channel and tighten the adjustment screw until secure.

2. Slide one vertical section onto the corner angle until they meet. Tighten the adjustment screw. Repeat with the other vertical section.

3. Now, three of the four sides are constructed. Insert the stacked artwork material including the glass, mat, artwork and foam core into the inside channel and set aside.

4. Assemble the remaining horizontal frame side with the two sets of corner angles and spacers. This side will cap off the frame to enclose the artwork material.

(This is where the instructions become unclear. Nielsen simply states to “Place eyelet hanger into the track and push down to snap into place.” While this can be difficult and requires some strength, it can also bend the hanger making it slide loosely inside the track.)

5. My solution to this is to insert the hanger into the track from the top before assembling the last side on to the frame.

6. As shown in the photos, you must make sure the hanger is tight and that it the notches are hooked under the track as you slide it into place.

7. After both hangers are inserted, place the top corners into the channel and tighten the screws. Then, insert the head of the screwdriver into the top hole and gently lift and slide the edge between the stacked corner brackets. This secures the hanger so that it will not slide up and down the track.

8. Insert the spring clips to hold the picture material in place by applying pressure to the clips and slide each under all sides of the frame.

9. Attach the picture wire to the hanger eyelets and wrap the excess wire around itself several times to secure. Place the self-sticking bumper pads on the back bottom corners to prevent the metal frame from scratching the wall.

10. Now you are ready to hang your custom sized frame and enjoy the artwork inside!

Again, this is my solution and what I found works for me. That is not to say that many customers have not been more than satisfied with the instructions provided by Nielsen.

It is always great when you can find an alternate way of completing a task. I really enjoy being able to help someone who might have had the same difficulty as I have.  I believe it is what sets Cheap Joe’s apart from other larger art supply companies. We are encouraged to sample the products we sell and learn to use them as our customer would.  Everyone in our company is in the customer service business. No matter what job we do to deliver fine art supplies to our customers, they are our most important concern. That’s the Cheap Joe Way, and that’s just the way it is!

I hope to always continue to discover new things and to share what I learn with someone new each day! I hope you will make a point to share what you know with someone new today as well!

Pass it on! Have a Happy “Share what you know” Day!