Best Frames for a Novice to Work With

[swanlinnet]

Hi

What would be the best frames (mouldings) and mount boards to work with for a person who is just starting out ?

I have already been looking for a one day course and have spoken with a few people many of whom
all have insisted practise is the key.

I think I realise I will have to put in a lot of practise with some mouldings and mount boards that are not too difficult
to work with.

I really have no idea what mouldings and mount boards are comparitively easy to work with in contrast to
mouldings and mount boards that are reknowed for being difficult and just wondered if anybody can remember what they did when they were
first starting out ?

I will be using a Morso.

Many thanks.

[prospero]

Big question.

As far as mountboards go, they are all pretty much of a muchness when it comes to cutting. Mouldings, on the other hand vary a lot. But there are so many that I wouldn't like to even start to comment.

When I first started I remember getting a few boxes of offcuts from a framer who was moving and having a clearout. Lots of different bits to practice on.

[Cathy]

Try flat or cusion one's first, they go together easiest, the rest is just practice & patience

[Gesso&Bole]

See if you can buy up a mixture of mouldings from someone closing down or retireing - I've seen a few ads on ebay. Infact, I think you are in Lancashire, I have the phone number of someone who had 650 ft of assorted moulding for sale (as well as a Morso and an Euro Underpinner) - he is based in Lancs - if you want his number PM me.

Otherwise see if there is a framer near you who would be happy to sell you a mixed bundle of offcuts or slow moving clutter . . . . (if you were happy to travel to Derby, I would be delighted to oblige)

You really do need to try all different types - the good and the bad.

Best of luck, and remember, if it was THAT easy it wouldn't be worth doing!

[prospero]

Swanlinnet. If you want to venture across the Penines, you are welcome to have a rumage in my shed. I have literally 10000's of feet of assorted moulding. Mostly smaller profiles...... You can take a carload with my compliments. OK, a lot of it is old and long discontinued, but it's all good stuff to practice on.

That offer goes for any other starter-uppers.

[swanlinnet]

Prospero , Thank you so much for your help. I will ceratinly remember your kind offer. And thanks to everyone here. So grateful to you all.
It's a pity I can't put more back into the forum, so to speak. Hopefully I will soon.

There is a great peice of software I hope nobody has heard of here so I can at least be the first to
recommend it

It's called Genuine Fractals ...really good for photography. Very useful

[stcstc]

hey be aware geuine fractals works for some things

but sometimes clever scaling in photoshop or qimage gives better results

[Lumpy]

I sure keep being grateful every time I see one of these posts. I'm new to the wood picture frames business and I really enjoy you all. thanks for all your help to each other. This is a wonderful place.

[framemaker]

Swanlinnet,
If I remember, I always found most reverse profiles (higher nearer the image) difficult to join when I first started, this was using a morso and minigraf 3, it was fine getting a good sized wedge on the inside but I always struggled to get a wedge further out without the back edge opening up a little.

I think as people have said already, start of with the smaller, simpler shaped profiles and then work up to the wider more complex shaped mouldings. Practice makes perfect.
good luck
Richard

[mikeysaling]

go for something like this arqadia moulding 424495000

424_495_000.jpg (4.67 KiB) Viewed 2920 times

really nice to cut easy to join consistent quality and reasonable price ie its cheap as far as mouldings go.

[Merlin]

or you could even try the Simons 0300 range. Very similar in profile. A lot cheaper though.

[swanlinnet]

Thanks for this . It's good to know the best, most-simple moulding for me at this stage.

Thanks Stephen, will be aware of Genuine Fractals.