The Framers Forum

The New Yankee Workshop with Norm "12 Routers" Abram hasn't been shown lately. I used to love watching him, even if I did covet his extensive range of machinery.

Every time it came on I felt the urge to shout Norm!!! (al la Cheers)

peter - thats a brilliant job ! I think you have provided a master class with your pictures and description. Well done indeed

Now that is Picture Framing

Looking at this make me realise I am probably doing not much more than joining four lengths of wood together most of the time.

I am not that far away could I drop in for some inspiration in the New Year?

Hi Prospero

I have had a chance to read through this properly now and I have a couple of questions.

1) Ripple paint, is this just a DIY ripple paint like this or is it something else.

2)How long does a frame like that take to make.

As I have said I frame up an artist usually 30 pieces for an exhibition at a time and this type of framing would be ideal as most of the Larson Juhl frames we choose are always out of stock. We also use some hand made trad swepts which I looked at and could see how they were constructed, it was the finish which looked like the real skill.

Sorry to be a bit thick on this but this has opened up my eyes to the skill involved in this bespoke work and something I would like to offer.

Cheers

Alistair

That is excellent Prospero.

Thanks for the step by step, very informative and motivational to have a go.

Happy Christmas and thanks for all your replies to my posts.

Cheers
Tim

Wow, excellent.
Thanks for taking the time to post all this. Its not always apparent how much work is involved when you just see the finished frame.

Its something to aspire to in the dim and distant future.

Merry christmas to you all and thank you for all your wise words

A great step by step guide Prospero, and a fantastic looking super stacked frame

We definitely need more topics like this on the forum

Thanks for all the Kind Words.

The ripple paint I use is Wickes brand. Smooth Ripple. About 12 quid for 5lt, so you can slap it about with impunity. The latest batches I have had seem a little thinner than the original stuff, but I usually tint it with powder pigment which gives it a bit more body. The only thing with it is it only comes in white, so you can't really mix up dark shades. This is only used as a primer though. It dries fast and it can be sanded to a very smooth finish. It does a similar job to gesso, but you don't have all the prep.

The process is messy though. Not to mention dusty. You really need a dedicated room to do it in. I keep all the frame cutting/joining and hand-finishing in one room and do all the mountcutting, etc in another.

The big frame was done over four days or so. The paints do dry fast, but I like to leave some stages overnight so they are thoroughly dry. If you are doing a quantity though, by the time you finish a stage on the last one, the first one is ready for the next stage. If you get your stall set out, you can work more efficiently.

Although HF takes time, it does have some pluses. I get very little wastage. Any defects in the plain wood can be made good in the preparation stages. It's partically good for large scale works and you can make frames that simply are not available in finished lengths. It's not everyone's cup of tea. It depends on the nature of the business.



Anyone who wants to call in anytime, I've nearly always got something on the go. Just drop me a PM.

That is a great series of posts and so inspiring - it's made my framing Christmas!

I've just started to dabble in hand finishing frames and even my simple attempts provide a level of satisfaction that is absent from factory finishes. I hope one day to reach the level demonstrated here.

Regards,

Steve

Thanks for that Prospero, bit late in the day for me to have a go know but I am all fired up for next week, when I can find time in between a hotel and two pubs.

Cheers

Thanks Prospero, truly inspirational I've only just started to experiment with paint finishes and I've never really done much stacking of mouldings to be honest but this has certainly got me thinking, one for next year perhaps Thanks for sharing.

Fantastic job.

Truly inspirational, but also makes you realise just how far some of us still have to go.

A classic case of appreciating that framing is not an easy option as so many people think it is.

How many customers are out there who have the vision, appreciate what can be done and more importantly are prepared to pay the going rate for such a high standard of craftsmanship?

Deepjoy Prospero

Thats fantastic Prospero, thankyou very much for giving me inspiration for the new year. You can get the Liberon gilt varnish SCEAUX 30 ml off Amazon.
Many thanks and a happy new year

Ross.

Wow!

Impressive craftsmanship.

What did you charge the customer?

Bear.

Not enough.

Very nice work and if its not to rude a question what would you charge for such a frame?

That's a beautiful job, Prospero. I like the look of your hand finishes, especially this one.

The only thing that puts me right off doing a lot of hand finishing is the sanding! When I made furniture for many years, half my life was spent sanding and I reckon I've well and truly done enough for one person.

Well the frame seemed to go down well. I have three more the same to do for Tuesday.


Hence 4am Saturday night posting.

Fark me Im truly GOBSMACKED....................................... the amount of work and dedication that went into that job makes me look like a total NOOB when i post my framing attempts here

Fantastic Job,

"That's real framing"

Mitreman