Thank you so much for your reply! There is an anodized aluminum that is used for window screen frames; is this the same as what you used? We had discussed purchasing some from the local hardware store, but I've had trouble finding any information on whether or not they would off-gas, or cause any other problems. I understand there are different types of anodizing that react differently. Do you know what method was used for your tubes? I would be very interested in any photographs you may have of this system.
Hello Jennifer,
The CCQ textile lab has a 6 ft. x 10 ft. stainless steel wash sink.
Several years ago I designed and contracted out the production of anodized
aluminum flat tubes that could be screwed together to make different sized
frames, which could fit in this large wash sink. The tubes come in various
lenghts from 7 ft., 6 ft., 5 ft., 4 ft., 2 ft., and 1 foot lenghts (
lenghts are ordered according to the need). The corner sections measure 6
inches x 6 inches. The tubing measures 2 inches wide x 1 inch thick and
the aluminum itself is 1/8 inch thick. The lenghts and corners are kept
together by inserting solid bars of anodized aluminuum 3 inches long x 1&
11/16 inches wide x 3/4 inch thick. They are screwed to the alumium tubes
using stainless steel screws. Storage is compact as the frames can be
dismantled. Support screening depends on the size and type of textile
requiring support. Geodesic fabrics to common household screening have
been used. When it has been important to avoid major fabric distortion
during the washing treatment, textiles have been pinned to household
screening that has been wraped around the flat tubes. The household
screening affords some elasticity and the straight pins alow for
adjustment.
The washing treatment of a tapestry requred the fabrication of a tempory
sink (wooden sides covered with a plastic swimming pool liner). Most of the
aluminum parts were put together to support the washing/rinsing/draining
of the tapsetry measuring 9 ft. x 13ft. In this case a very open weave
geodesic fabric was used to support the tapestry.
This "mechano type" of aluminum structure has proved to be very useful and
the metal shows no visual change. My gratitude goes to go my two wonderful
sons - my inspiration came from one of their toys that involved the use of
various types of plastic tubing that could be assembled, with differnt
types of outside joints, to make various types of three dimensional
structures, such as a chair, table, rocking horse etc.
I appreciate the neutral, lightweight and strong qualities of aluminum
tubing - this article appeared in a past issue of the Canadian Association
for Conservation of cultural Property (CAC), September 2003 vol 28, No. 3.
:
««Sharon Little was responsible for the treatment a 16th century Flemish
tapestry and a 20th century tapestry attributed to Micheline Beauchemin.
Both required deviation from the standard textile conservation equipment
and procedures. During treatment, the Flemish tapestry was supported by a
net of geodesic textile that had been wrapped about an aluminium stretcher
type frame and wet cleaned in a large temporary bath constructed from a
swimming pool linerthat was supported by a wooden frame, the water being
evacuated with the use of a sump pump. The tapestry will soon be installed
on a tapestry conservation loom and undergo extensive consolidation over
the next few years. Following light cleaning and realignment, the
construction techniques and materials, weight, and modern slick appearance
of the 20th century tapestry required the construction of a custom made
stretcher frame. The frame was composed of: flat hollow 2.5cm thick
aluminium tubes; the spaces of the frame were filled in with sheets of
polycarbonate to maintain a flat supporting surface; bands of wood,treated
with latex paint were added to the four outside edges of the frame for both
lining canvas and tapestry attachment purposes; and the completed unit was
covered with a linen canvas for both decorative and attachment purposes.
As the tapestry was to be installed in the board room of the Caisse de
dépôt du Québec, in Montréal, and the desire of the owner was to maintain
the modern slick appearance it was not possible to attach the tapestry to
the frame using velcro. Instead the upper horizontal edge of the tapestry
was treated as a painting, by stapling the unfinished portion of the edge
to the back of the stretcher frame using non-corrosive staples. The
remaining three finished outside edges and the main internal segments of
the tapestry were treated like a textile and stitched in place using a
curved surgical needle and a heavy linen thread. The combination of the
aluminium and poycarbonate provided a discreetly thin (2.5cm),strong, and
lightweight mounting devise for a large (4m x 1.3m) and heavy (23 kilos)
contemporary tapestry.»»
If anyone would like some photograhic documention, let me know and I will
send it out towards the end of June 2006.
Regards,
Sharon Little
Restauratrice
Responsable - Atelier des textiles
Ministère de la Culture et des Communications
Centre de conservation du Québec
1825, rue Semple
Québec (Québec) G1N 4B7
Téléphone: (418) 643-7001 poste 230
Télécopieur: (418) 646-5419
sharon.little@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://www.mcc.gouv.qc.ca Jennifer
Hadley
<HadleyJ@LD A:
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2006-05-18
12:05
Hello everyone,
I have been looking at our textile washing facilities and would like to
upgrade our screening system. Currently we have a metal tub with a metal
rack that can be lowered into the water. My predecessor bought commercial
window screens to lay the textiles on. These screens include the metal
frame, which creates a problem. The screens are not big enough for many of
the textiles to lay in one frame. They must be laid over the metal edge
onto another screen to be washed. The metal edges get have gotten pretty
mucky over the years and leave a gray residue on anything they touch. I
don't like them in the water, let alone with the textiles right on top of
the metal. I would like to create new, multi sized, screens to facilitate
safe cleaning. Two of my associates suggested either creating frames with
PVC or vinyl window frames. I was hoping to get some feedback on the
suggested framing materials, as well as what others have done with their
washing systems.
Thank you,
Jennifer Hadley
Associate Registrar
Museum of Church History and Art
(801) 240-0297
hadleyj@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
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