Help with Fastners

[Bob D.]

Newbie to this newsgroup here. I would like some help if you can.

I am preparing to make picture frames for my wife's art work. I have located all of the corner clamps and miterbox/saws that I need and now I am down to finding the fasteners. I have the glue and 4p and 6d finish nails but I am having trouble locating a source for the fasteners for the back of the mitered corners.

I have an old book that called them "Skotch Fasteners". I describe them like this: If you have ever had an Ace Bandage wrapped on a sprained ankle or knee or wrist, after the elastic bandage was wrapped they placed a thin metal fastener across the end of the bandage and it gripped the bandage on both ends by points made in the fastener.

It is shaped much like a modern day Butterfly bandage but it's metal and has sharp points on the back that are driven down into the wood across the mitered joint after the joint is glued and clamped.

Does anyone know what the "real" name for these are and where I might find them? I have checked Home Depot, Lowe's and other hardware stores but no luck and I'm not sure they understood what I was trying to describe since I didn't have a brand name or the proper name for the fastener.

I am open to other types of fasteners also so if you have suggestions, please let me know. I know there is a "push in" angle type but that seemed like a pretty expensive set up.

Thanks in advance for the help.

[John B]

Use staples, Shoot them in across the joint. They will hold everything in place until you get the clamps on and the glue dries. You don't need an air stapler just a good quality mechanical one will do the trick. All the best John

[no(SPAM)vasys]

Try here:

[Bob D.]

Terrific! That is exactly what I am looking for, THANKS!

Bob...

[Bob D.]

Okay John, that is a good idea too! I will give it a try. Thanks for the quick response!

Bob...

[George]

You really don't want to do that. They are more trouble than they're worth, and as likely to break the joint as reinforce it.

I've made a _lot_ of frames, and with the exception of the humongously heavy ones, which received help from screwed-on right angle braces, they hang tight with brads and glue. Now that I finally own a pneumatic brad shooter, I sometimes omit clamping on the smaller ones, letting the brads hold it until the glue dries....

[Bob D.]

Hmmmm. Okay... Boy, now I will have think about all the help I have received. John says to use just plain ole Arrow staples, and I already have those so If some of my joints are loose, I try those first.

Thanks to ALL of you for the quick response and all the help. It is appreciated!

Bob...

[Lew Hodgett]

Still a valid description.

Guess I must be showing my age .

Lew

[Robert Bonomi]

"Skotch" is the real name. Skotch fasteners _are_ readily available. Ace Hardware, among other sources carries them.

Google for it. spelling counts. the 2nd letter _is_ a K.

"Skotch" _is_ the brand name. and the propern name. ,grin>

There are also "corrugated fasteners", that might be worth a look.

[Bob D.]

Thanks for all the help and advice guys and gals.

Bob...

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