in the hanging spirit....

[Ann Demko]

I think the posts by travis on the cable hanging system is what the doctor ordered on a panel the has been roaming around in my head for several sleepless night now. You all know how it is when you get an idea and it just goes on and on and on. My idea is to have a clear float panel about say 24" in width and 30" long with many fused shard like elements glued to the piece. I would love to have the shards extend beyond the borders of the float panel slightly, which procludes the use of a metal frame or border, which I don't want anyway. Now comes the I don' know if it is possible question. If I drill two holes at the top end of the panel, insert a metal collar or some kind of metal gusset, would that disperse the forces enough to make the glass be strong enough to be suspended from a structure? I would think you would need a piece of glass at least 3/8" in thickness maybe even a 1/4" so it's going to be heavy, heavy, heavy. Would the fact that it is just suspended from the top and likley to have a swinging motion if disturbed cause problems.? I wish I were and engineer because I keep having these huge projects pop up in my head and get soooo excited only to ignore them because I don't have a clue if they would be safe or doable. Thanks ahead of time from the eternal dreamer. Ann

[Jackie Beckman]

The system that Travis suggested is very stable. Bullseye uses it in the gallery, and also in the old RC on the stairway. You don't need to drill holes in the glass to use it. You may want to ask someone who has actually mounted their work with it which components are the best to buy for your particular application. There are lots of different pieces and each has its own function. I wouldn't allow the glass to swing freely though, and this system does have components that go from the bottem of the piece to the floor. Call the Connection Gallery or ask here on the board - I think Doug Randall has used that system

[charlie]

if you use two hanging points and they're spread apart, it will tend to have a self damping motion. the further apart the hanging points, the more it dampens swinging motion. if you have the hanging points spread far on the ceiling, it may not even sway at all side to side. you still have front to back swinging that won't dampen though.