Basic Map Frame

Intro: Basic Map Frame

A key part of parenting is finding quick and cheap solutions to the multitude of problems your offspring present you with. In this case it was hanging a laminated map my daughter got as a present. The laminating is great as it means the map won’t instantly succumb to sticky fingers. Unfortunately though it also means it’s developed quite a spring while it’s been rolled up in the tube. In order to hang this map I had to try my hand at picture mounting.

Before we get started I'd like to say this isn't my best work but it looks reasonable and it gets the job done.

Materials

• A map (obviously)
• Interior timber cladding.
• Staples
• String

Tools

• Saw
• Staple gun

I initially experimented with gluing the map to the frame but as you can probably guess the glue wouldn’t stick to the plastic. I think contact adhesive would probably have worked but there’s a chance it would would have melted the lamination as well. Instead I settled on carefully stapling the map along the edge which minimised the visual impact of the staples.

For the frame I used interior timber cladding. I use this timber as a low cost infill for cabinet doors so I’ve often got a couple of lengths lying around the shop. As long as you are careful to avoid rough sections it makes a surprisingly good looking panel. For this project I’ll turn the moulded edge out so that it looks more like a picture frame.

This project along with loads of others is also available at Wobblycogs Workshop.

STEP 1: Cutting and Marking

Start by cutting a length of moulding to the same width as the map.

Slide the timber under the map and mark where the top of the meets the centre of the board. The board has grooves cut into the back so try to line up the top of the map so that it misses the grooves.

STEP 2: Stapling

Line the map up with the marks you've just made and then staple it down taking care to run exactly along the top edge of the map, this hides the staples.

Repeat the process for the bottom of the map.

STEP 3: Drill Mounting Holes and Hang

Use an 8mm drill to drill two mounting holes on the top edge. Measure in and down the same amount from each end. Smooth the holes with sand paper.

Tie string or, better, picture mounting wire between the holes and then hang using a picture hook or a nail in the wall.

Comments

[Swansong]

We've got a big wall map we should make one of these for :) It looks good!

[wobblycogs]

Glad you like it.

Personally I prefer the design in the attached photo. I came up with idea a few years ago. It's two pieces of dowel rod with metal clips attached using eye hooks. I forget what the clips were sold for, I think it might have been to hold papers together or something like that. Any small metal clips would do.

I would have used this design again but it wouldn't work on a map that wants to roll itself back up all the time.