(back) Frames are constructed from 5/4 hardwood kiln dried cherry stock. The corners are mitered and glued with additional reinforcement from a 5/16"x1-1/2" hardwood dowel glued through each joint. The interior felt is a wool-rayon blend for long life, with a color similar to Multigrade darkroom safelight for maximum visibility and light safeness in a darkroom. Actual frame dimension details: Frame Size 13.75"x16.75" Glass size 11"x14" Maximum image size 10.75"x13.75" Maximum paper size 11"x14"

The hardwood frame is given a 45-minute saturation in Danish Oil and multiple coats of a satin polyurethane finish. The finish is hand rubbed and finalized with a coat of finishing wax. The natural grain of cherry is gorgeous with this kind of finish and will take on a darker patina as the years go by. The final finish takes on a silky-smooth feel . The glass is 2-2.5mm" thick, and has been dressed on the edges and corners to make it safe to handle outside of the frame. It is carefully inspected for scratches and flaws - I reject a large percentage of new glass for these frames.

Rubber/cork bumpers, punched from automotive gasket material, are cemented to the frame - they are moisture-resistant and protect the base of the frame from scratching damage and moisture.

Solid brass spring stays rotate easily into a slot in the sides of the frame and maintain a firm pressure. There is a small amount of flexibility in the frame, the glass AND the insert - this is the key to good contact between negative and print, given that wood will inevitably be affected by climate and storage conditions. Much like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, the negative and print (peanut butter and jelly) maintain contact no matter how much you torque the sandwich. The brass is solid 1/16" brushed brass, 1" in width, coated with lacquer (except tips) to resist tarnishing and yes - I make these myself, a common question.

The brass springs are riveted to the insert with 1/8" steel head/steel shank rivets backed on both sides with .062 steel retaining washers. The washer on the felted side is recessed and filled and sanded flush so as to not have any effect on the photographic print. The springs are elevated from the surface with a recessed nylon spacer to avoid damaging the wood insert when rotating the spring. They move smoothly but are snug, not loose.

The ply insert is made of imported 9mm or 12mm Birch ply and is finished with multiple coats of satin polyurethane. The felted side is run through a drum sander in multiple orientations to assure flatness or a hint of concavity parallel to the spring clamps. The final thickness is usually 1-2mm less than the original ply dimension. This is partly determined by the final thickness of the frame. The insert is hinged with a single piano-type hinge and attached with solid brass screws for ease in inserting printing materials. (back)