The Framers Forum

Perhaps this will shed some light This frame was placed in our north facing window two years ago. The glass on the left is TV-CC, the center is 2mm float and there is no glass on the right hand side. before.jpg The sample has been taken out of the frame this morning and photographed with a scrap of...

Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy, prosperous New Year!

I'm just a part time garage framer, so I don't get the volume of a high street framer. But I was wondering how you've all found the framing business during 2012? Up, down, flat? From my (admittedly limited) experience 2012 has been much like 2011 and 2010, but I'm based in a fairly well-off area tha...

Axminster Tools do a good range of wheels suitable for machinery.

http://www.axminster.co.uk/feet-and-whe ... 27423_pg1/

This is interesting, I first started using clear film mounting a few years ago on the recommendation of Roboframer, and it's a terrific method. But I've never actually used it for anything bigger than about 18" on the long side. How big can you go with this technique before it starts to buckle ...

One custom element I'm doing more and more frequently is framing in specific timbers to match decor. For example Steamed Pear and Wenge seem to be increasing in popularity but there are no commercially available frames. I've got a well equipped woodworking workshop so can machine mouldings on a spin...

Well done! Got to be better than my Cassese, I'm on the the third set of Bristol levers, after the first two broke I finally got some metal replacement levers from Axminster Tools, which is what Cassese should have done in the first place!

When I first began framing I wrestled with the "BA" versus "F" question for quite a while. I made sure I used both and finally decided on the "F". It's much faster, far more accurate in terms of getting matching and consistent lengths, and as a bigger capacity.

I saw a Fletcher wall mounted cutter demonstrated with foam core and it did a really clean job.

I'm kicking myself that when I bought my Ultimat Gold I got the 1200mm version instead of the 1500mm, I've subsequently turned down several well paid jobs because I couldn't produce a large enough mat. I guess I'll get a reasonable used price for my 1200mm Ultimat Gold, so I'm seeing the Futura as a...

Weird isn't it, people put tens, scores, even hundreds of hours of work into creating something...and then quibble about every shilling when it comes to displaying it. How do they value their own time? I've got one customer where I both print his photos and frame them. He'll lavish many hours of my ...

Roboframer wrote:Interesting article http://www.frametek.com/HTML/Articles/dust.html

This article has really made me think, maybe I should seal all frames as a matter of course?

Does anyone do this?

Yes Photoshop is expensive, but actually the cost of the software is nothing compared to the cost of the time you'll have to invest to learn how to you use it properly and effectively. Even allowing for the fact that that any one user probably uses less than half of its features, it's still a massiv...

I'd do it like a shot. I'm a garage framer in a town that has a regular market, on a few occasions I've taken a stall at the street market and I'm convinced it really boosts awareness of you and your services plus it's a real revenue opportunity. One item that sold particularly well was framed vinta...

What changes will we see amongst our customers over the next five years? 1. Home ownership rose from 57% in 1980 to a peak of 71% in 2000. It's now back down to 67% and is falling quickly, personally I'd guess it'll continue to fall back towards the 50-55% level that we see on much of the continent ...

It's like going round to a car factory and saying, "I like the such-and-such model, but can you make me one 3" shorter so it will fit in my garage?" "Certainly can Sir. But we will have to charge you a £50,000,000 surcharge to re-tool" "But it will be a smaller car!&qu...

It's one of the backbones of my business, but I work at it, joining local camera clubs, getting my name known at local camera stores, making sure that printing and photoshop work are prominent in my leaflets.

I've heard a few complaints that wood burners are dirty, but if the flue/chimney is set up properly they're clean as a whistle. Any and all smuts/dust should evacuate up and out the chimney. I've got a woodburner in the workshop (believe it or not it's made by Morso) and two in my house, no dirt pro...

This really is an outstanding forum.

The depth of knowledge and the quality of comments makes the price of my internet connection seem like a real bargain! I hope participating contributors realise just how much their help and advice are appreciated.

I've used a Festool mitre saw for very large hardwood frames and aluminium. Festool is generally regarded as the best "contractor" type mitre saw (it's certainly the most expensive). It was good but not as good as a Morso. I've also cut mitres on a Felder panel saw, again generally seen as...