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+--- Thread: F/U to picture frame question: what magnets for securing acrylic sheets? (/showthread.php?tid=241754)
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F/U to picture frame question: what magnets for securing acrylic sheets? - rjmacs - 05-29-2020
Hi everyone - I posted a question the other day about framing wedding photos in a way that replacing photos or sets of photos wouldn't be too onerous.
Ombligo made some interesting suggestions. I'd like to explore one option, but I could use some advice.
Say I decide to build four or five magnetic acrylic frames, each between 10-12"x14-16". Some of these will hold single larger photos, some will hold small groups (3-5) of smaller photos.
For ease of mounting and replacement, I think it makes sense to have distinct magnetic connections that 1) hold the acrylic sheets together, and 2) hold the mounted frame to the wall. This is because I anticipate it will be much easier to arrange and secure the photos in the frame before mounting it to the wall.
So, I have a couple ideas and am open to suggestions.
First - I like Ombligo's idea of using rare earth magnets to pin two acrylic sheets together, photos in between. I need to find rare earth magnets that are 1) strong enough to hold two 2mm thick acrylic sheets securely across that roughly 4mm gap, and 2) aesthetically appealing (preferably polished, round, and as small as practicable). I'm thinking a pair of magnets in each corner, for eight magnets/frame, mounted on the 'outside' of the acrylic sheets.
Second - I think once the frame is secured with magnets, I could use mounting points like these, attached to the wall in line with the four magnets securing the frame. They are rated to hold 5.5 lbs each, which should be plenty enough for this purpose.
Any suggestions or caveats? Best/cleanest/most attractive way to attach rare earth magnets to acrylic? Thanks, everyone!
Re: F/U to picture frame question: what magnets for securing acrylic sheets? - cbelt3 - 05-29-2020
Like this:
===
------------
ppppppppppp
------------
mmmmmm
======
wwwwww
= is a metal plate
--- acrylic
ppp photo
mmmm rare earth magnet
wwww wall
A single magnet on each corner can tie the whole thing together. It will have the effect of holding the frame one or two mm off the wall. You can attach the wall metal plate with command strips for removal / replacement. The magnets listed below are strong enough and small enough for your purposes.
Oh, and clear epoxy will glue the metal plate to the acrylic. You don't actually need to glue the magnet to anything.
https://www.amazon.com/Refrigerator-Projects-Whiteboards-Strongest-Available/dp/B07CVPC3YJ
Re: F/U to picture frame question: what magnets for securing acrylic sheets? - PeterB - 05-29-2020
rjmacs wrote:
Any suggestions or caveats? Best/cleanest/most attractive way to attach rare earth magnets to acrylic? Thanks, everyone!
Yes. Rare earth magnets are dangerous! They can draw blood... first-hand experience. If you must use them, make sure to use really, really tiny ones. I would think that attaching with a really strong epoxy might work, but of course that might damage the acrylic or look unsightly. Honestly, depending on how you set things up, it might not be necessary to use glue anyway ... I like cbelt3's idea, but I'm thinking it may be better to put the magnets on the outside face corners, and then slide the photos in between the layers of acrylic.
Re: F/U to picture frame question: what magnets for securing acrylic sheets? - rjmacs - 05-29-2020
cbelt3 wrote:
Like this:
===
------------
ppppppppppp
------------
mmmmmm
======
wwwwww
= is a metal plate
--- acrylic
ppp photo
mmmm rare earth magnet
wwww wall
A single magnet on each corner can tie the whole thing together. It will have the effect of holding the frame one or two mm off the wall. You can attach the wall metal plate with command strips for removal / replacement. The magnets listed below are strong enough and small enough for your purposes.
Oh, and clear epoxy will glue the metal plate to the acrylic. You don't actually need to glue the magnet to anything.
https://www.amazon.com/Refrigerator-Projects-Whiteboards-Strongest-Available/dp/B07CVPC3YJ
Thanks, Charlie - I don't think I'm up to mounting metal plates to the wall for this project. I'm fine with having mount points set, but your idea would be perfect for a much more adjustable solution.
Re: F/U to picture frame question: what magnets for securing acrylic sheets? - Ombligo - 05-29-2020
You could just push a metal thumbtack into the wall, the magnet should easily grip it. If you think you need something that goes deeper or is a smaller contact point, I would wager a small nail (possibly even just a finishing one) would do the job in place of the metal plate.
Re: F/U to picture frame question: what magnets for securing acrylic sheets? - mikebw - 05-29-2020
Not to make this even more complicated, but for ease of use it would be very convenient to have a countersunk / recessed hole for each magnet to sit in. This would make it easier for a user to line it up, and prevent the magnets from sliding around, potentially away from the matching magnet or ferrous connection on the other side.
Re: F/U to picture frame question: what magnets for securing acrylic sheets? - rjmacs - 05-29-2020
mikebw wrote:
Not to make this even more complicated, but for ease of use it would be very convenient to have a countersunk / recessed hole for each magnet to sit in. This would make it easier for a user to line it up, and prevent the magnets from sliding around, potentially away from the matching magnet or ferrous connection on the other side.
Thanks, mikebw. I was hoping to get through this project without buying a dremel, but you all are MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT.
miley12:
Re: F/U to picture frame question: what magnets for securing acrylic sheets? - mikebw - 05-29-2020
rjmacs wrote:
[quote=mikebw]
Not to make this even more complicated, but for ease of use it would be very convenient to have a countersunk / recessed hole for each magnet to sit in. This would make it easier for a user to line it up, and prevent the magnets from sliding around, potentially away from the matching magnet or ferrous connection on the other side.
Thanks, mikebw. I was hoping to get through this project without buying a dremel, but you all are MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT.
miley12:
Oh I was thinking a forstner bit on a drill press would be the best option, but I suppose dremmel could suffice too.
Re: F/U to picture frame question: what magnets for securing acrylic sheets? - RAMd®d - 05-29-2020
You could just push a metal thumbtack into the wall, the magnet should easily grip it.
And unless the wall is solid wood, the thumbtack would easily pull out.
There has to be something put into the wall to hold <5lbs worth of frame.
Small rare earth magnets could easily to that with no bloodshed, as long as there is a mount that will stay in the wall.
A metal washer, screw, and wall anchor would to the job and not be very difficult.
A flathead screw would work best, but countersinking the washer might be an issue.
But it really wouldn't be necessary give the strength of magnets, based on their size of course.
With a sheetmetal disk would work even better, though that may creep into the Making It Very Difficult area.
Re: F/U to picture frame question: what magnets for securing acrylic sheets? - rjmacs - 05-29-2020
Now I've got all these additional ideas floating around my head! Thanks! (:banghead
But really, thanks. And links to good, attractive, small rare earth magnets I could embed/attach to the acrylic sheets are welcome, too!