chop service for rose and hollis moulding

[MagnumPI]

Hi all, I have a particular customer who always gets the same moulding (Rose and Hollis code A178) in a variety of sizes, always hand finished in same colour and i am wondering if anyone knows of either another supplier of that particular moulding profile who would have a Chop Service so that I could order as required bareface frames ready cut/joined and ready for hand finishing each time he orders. I would do it myself but don't have the room to store the frame 'blanks' and would prefer to order as and when required. He quite often orders last minute and I find it difficult to fit the work in to my usually very busy week - I do it of course but am just looking to streamline the process so it doesn't cause quite so much stress each time.

Any help/advice appreciated.

Steven

[prospero]

A lot of suppliers do a chop service, but never heard of chop 'n' join. Not sure if R&H will do chops on wood mouldings. They do chop aluminium though......

Never seen that moulding anywhere else but R&H btw.

Another thought. The carriage would be a killer. It's a different proposition transporting joined frames than four bits.

[Jonny2morsos]

You say they are always finished in the same colour so why not make a few up and keep in stock until he requires them? If you can then offer a faster turn round perhaps the customer would be prepared to lodge a deposit with you and pay the balance on collection.

[MagnumPI]

Thanks guys.

Yes it seems only R+H do this moulding and I have asked for chop service before and been told they don't do it (was a while back tho' maybe I should ask again). On chop and join I was more thinking of getting a local framer to do that part of the job and invoice me then I would finish them.

The problem I have with making up a stock of them is that, yes, he (my customer) always uses that moulding and always has same finish but has a variety of sizes he orders - I have tried this before when I had more space and been left with finished frames sitting around getting knocked about etc until he comes up with an order to suit. It's a complicated one because I don't want to lose the business obviously but it always seems to be that he comes in with an order he needs 'next week' at just the time I am most busy 'this week'! I invariably say I can do it (and I do) but it always disrupts everything (some of them can be quite large) in my small space and results in me working nights and weekends which I would rather not do.

Other problem is that the moulding in question is just on the edge of too big to cut on the morso and I don't have an angle saw that is suitable. I have tried a couple but not found one accurate enough - any suggestions?

Just thought if I could get the moulding supplied chopped it would speed and ease the process

[prospero]

DIY chop saws are not accurate enough for picture frames - as you have discovered. Ones that are made for that purpose are more finely engineered and MUCH more expensive. Next step up are the big double mitre saws which are even more expensive, not to mention massively heavy.

But.... The actual cut of a decent woodworking chop saw is reasonably good. Even with the carp blades they come with. The snag is, that you disturb the angle every time you swing the head. I am in the process of making a permanent saw setup using two of these. The idea being that with two you don't have to swing the heads. Once fine-tuned they should do consistently accurate cuts. There is a Dewalt saw I have my eye on that allows you to adjust the angles very finely. About £200. So two of these + maybe some finer blades + measuring system doesn't amount to a big wad of cash compared with the 'proper' kit. Whether it will work remains to be seen.

[MagnumPI]

Prospero, thanks for that. I have bought and taken back 4 saws so far and have more or less come to the conclusion I would have to spend the big bucks ( not an option) to go that route so would be interested to know which deWalt model you have found at that price with the fine accuracy.

[prospero]

http://www.toolstop.co.uk/dewalt-dw713x ... 240v-p7854

This one looks promising. It's a fixed head model so you are not paying for features you don't use and the simpler the better. 10" blade.
Not seen the beast in the flesh, so no idea how it would perform. The blurb mentions 'manual detent overide' which I take to mean you can jiggle it a bit. The supplied blade may be OK for plain woods. Could need a finer tooth for finished moulding.
But the right price. Pro tradesmen seem to favour DeWalt.

So have two side by side bolted firmly to a bench. Set both angled inwards. Cut one end on the right saw, slide the moulding up to a stop (to be devised) and chop the other end with the left one.

Simples.

In theory anyway.

[stcstc]

peter

you could use this as the measuring system

http://www.axminster.co.uk/kreg-kreg-pr ... rod656054/

[misterdiy]

I've got one of these if you want to buy it. I used this before i bought an Inmes so it is spare