The Framers Forum

Hi Guys,

Wondered if you had any solutions to cutting a moulding with a scoop (overhang) at the back of the moulding. When cutting with the Morso it causes it to splinter etc just as the rebate would without any supports.

I have heard that plasticine may be one solution but since this is oil based and may sink into the wood and that the finish will be water base, I think I might get problems with the finish.

What methods have you used to overcome the rear overhang from splintering?

Vince,

Although you might find a creative, partial situation, reality tells you that the Morsø was never really designed to cut these profile styles.

You best solutions is not to stock in length mouldings of this design... or order them chopped from your supplier, or sub-contract these out to a framing friend or associate with a saw. Pay them for it and pass this additional cost into your pricing.

Moving on...

John

I use bluetac, roll it into a sausage shape and fill the scoop at the back of the moulding where the cut will take place. push it in firmly and chop away. It can stick in the gap between the fences and you get a little on the end of the blades so watchout for your fingers when removing it.

Or use a chop service...or a mitre saw...

As they say above, I would use plasticine or something of the like- I always used white tack before we got a saw.

Alternatively you could space the moulding forward by putting a flat wooden spacer against the fence. Then your not using the nose of your blades to cut the back edge of the moulding - If you use this method remember to extend the spacer so you account for it when measuring the rebate width and the moulding sits parrallel to the fence.

I still fabric reinforced duct tape over the back where I am going to cut it, smooth it down firmly and cut it.

I find that removing the tape can be more difficult and use a hot air gun to soften the adhesive first, as the adhesive can pull away some of the top surface on woods like obeche.

I remove any remaining residue with sandpaper. Oh well, nothing's perfect!

Lighter fluid would remove tape adhesive residue.

Yes that's true, but the residue from duct tape can also be dispersed over a large area with the lighter fuel and still needs sanding to get back to clean wood. To be honest the sandpaper method ain't particularly brilliant, either as the adhesive clogs up the sandpaper and you have to change the sandpaper before you are finished.

I used to use plasticine, but it tends to stick to the morso fences and end up getting onto other frames afterwards. At least the duct tape doesn't end up with a manky Morso.

I also have a Proman 110 manual mitre saw, but it's too much bother. These days I don't use many mouldings with the undercut back, because of the cutting difficulties, just to avoid the agro! Some are not fun on the underpinner either!

Hmmm, I'm not relishing this job of 35 frames in this moulding. I have considered using a 15mm pine dowel to fit in the overhang. This might get rid of the oil / mess residue of the other methods mentioned.

I hadn't thought of the underpinning but its quite flat with a then steep scoop to the top, flatish top before the overhang so I think it shouldn't be too bad.

I always considered making a mould of a resin material that could be cut(and wouldn't hurt the blades) from the back of these overhang mouldings and then sticking to the fence of the morso with double sided , but never got round to it before I got a saw!
With 35 frames to do it may be worth experimenting

It's not so bad if you are cutting plain moulding that is going to be painted or receive a heavy coating after joining. In that case I just hack away and get the wood filler out. I like to gently radius the corners anyway, so not much more work to sand any filler at the same time. If you are doing a stained finish then any filler will show up like a sore thumb.

All in all a saw is the answer. (Working on that )


Someone (can't remember who) once found some cold plastic moulding material that would be just the job for making support pieces. Can't remember what it was called. I'll have a search though.....

Polymorph? Or was it polymer clay?

I see you are in macclesfield. If you want them cutting on my casses pm me I am in eccles. I can't do them for 2 weeks as I have got the mother of all jobs to finish.

Graysalchemy wrote:I see you are in macclesfield. If you want them cutting on my casses pm me I am in eccles. I can't do them for 2 weeks as I have got the mother of all jobs to finish.

Thanks!

I'm not sure when these will come in. And they may come in a few at a time as they are for an exhibition scheduled for Sept/Oct to be ready by June/July.

I will probably see how I go on but if I can't manage the cuts without damage, I will come back to you if thats ok?

Not a problem the offer is there.