The Framers Forum

Dave I hang all canvases up on a wall for at least four days, and with some of the much larger ones for as much as two weeks before any attempt at stretching. Pin up 9" apart with a staple gun along the top and let the rolled canvas drop and relax of its own accord. I found the same problem as ...

All invoices and worksheets are kept for eight years for my referral and HMRC. After that time business related paperwork gets incinerated. Nothing left to chance. I really don't like the way this country of ours has been going over the past few years. Jobsworth and Mr. Big Brother Snoop Arse far to...

Some of the canvases we get in to frame should be shot at first light, but we always leave the canvas open at the back anyway.

That metal thing looks like an instrument of torture; you just wouldn't want to step on one.

Foxy

Some pretty pot useless accountants out there. I spend an hour each year with mine ( has to be your best friend when dealing with all the latest tax law) just running over the previous years audit. Keep it simple and run a profit and loss account. The two main figures my accountant looks for are the...

The blackboard rubber was weapon of choice at one school, or a pinged piece of chalk.

Never get away with that now - health an' safety issue malarkey.

Foxy

Hollow ground every time.

Anyone in central southern England, there is West Tytherley Saw Services at Ringwood near the New Forest. Family firm with a wealth of experience with blades and all types of saw sharpening.

Foxy

One - last week. Very well constructed and polite letter by post, who at least has had a two day introduction course by a GCF examiner. He will receive a reply. Unlike most we get who couldn't spell or construct a sentence to save their lives, along with some rather poor CV's. We also get the bored ...

Met. forecast last Wednesday for our area was pi.. pouring with rain all day on Sunday.

It's been absolutely gorgeous, bit windy though and not a sign of the wet stuff, so it has.

Foxy

Welcome XLR

There is a font of framing knowledge on this forum; good and sound advice for any newbie entering the business.

Good luck with the French authorities, it's getting to be the same over here in Blighty.

Foxy

As Sir Alan would say: 'they haven't got a bloody clue'. So many firms like this have come and gone over the years since I started in the early seventies. Fortunes are not made overnight, in six months or whatever. That seems to be the outsiders concept. To be in this business you have to be totally...

They were so impressed with the last batch K.K. or you wouldn't have got another order. Ash is too bloody hard for my Morso blades. I always use a fine tooth circular saw with no worries at all, as long as you can rig it on the bench with level and solid stop ends. Cutting ash or oak or any of the r...

Not to my knowledge Mike. Magnolia - Scharf - Meridian - all consigned to the past under the Magnolia umbrella. All three had reps who called every three months, without fail. Others have passed away along with Olivers and Byron over the years. We are left with a strong supplier stream though and a ...

One moments lack of attention, taking silly short-cuts or being just plain careless - 4 hours waiting in A&E; no joke. Our workshops are no place for the unwary: Morso's, four foot guillotines, knives, guns and blades - never take your own safety for granted. I,ve had the usual glass cuts and ru...

Welcome to the forum Harry

Don't mind Moglet, she's a bit of a turn and a class act, but we like her.

Here you will find sound advice, common sense and a varied turn of wit.

Most of all, we are kind and helpful with one another, which is the maxim of the forum.

Foxy

Prospero's quite right. Always be in control. Customers are a wily bunch, especially lately, if they are under an impression you are gaggin' for the work and show any sign of desperation. Even if you are not busy, never let on, it's a negative. So when asked 'are you busy', and they do, a positive '...

My pet hate. It's a bugger to clean.

Rainwater would seem fairly harmless enough.

Stacked wet inter-leafing or rain between sheets is no fun.

Foxy

Mogs

Most will put 'out of stock' items on back order.

No further carriage is paid on following back orders, no matter how small the amount. Some will phone and ask if you have anything else to add, but no pressure.

Foxy

Yep. DeMontfort can take a hike. The market has changed. Long gone the days of being seduced into a multi-mega order at the NEC by smart and beguiling lovelies on the stand. All the stock is gone with the exception of one Adam Barsby that I probably couldn't give away. Arqadia were always dependable...

We always make sure we order enough to get carriage paid; £100 - £150 is the general range. Very low, considering the rising cost of diesel. All those £8.50's or so can add up over the year and bite into the bottom line. It's so easy to lose track of stock levels, pick up the phone at the drop of a ...

You're pricing appears very reasonable Deejay. Watch out for these 'wolves in sheeps clothing', who are under the misplaced impression that there can't be that much difference price-wise between one moulding and another; then complain, just because they're too bloody impatient and the rollers parked...