The Framers Forum

Just had a customer in who wants an arched mirror frame making,
anybody do this sort of work?
Size W33 x H20 x H23 to centre of arch.
Any suggestions welcome.

Arqadia do a range of overmantle mirrors. Go to their home page on the web and look at Overmantle in the Frame Collection section.

Hi J2M
Sorry should have mentioned its to frame an existing mirror of sentimental value, to those dimensions.

Wessex Leatherhead - bevelled if you want.

Frinton Frames could do one. Not cheap but very classy.


http://www.frintonframes.co.uk/services.htm

Oops I missed the 'frame' bit

A lot depends on what type of frame style and finish they want, and what the budget is...

Easiest/cheapest way - make it fit into a rectangular frame with a spandrel.

2nd option - get the whole frame machined from MDF and then finish in metal leaf or however.

3rd option - get a larger hand made frame maker like Frinton, Private View, Victoria, Sudbury, or Kingswood (to name a few) to come up with something.

4th option - A specialist framer who does one of frames like this, PM me with your contact details and I will pass them on.

Thanks for the reply's guy's.
just for the record talked to Frintons this morning they don't do custom made curved frames.

You might try talking to these people. You never know...

http://cncrouting.co.uk/

I had a glance at the Frinton catalogue this morning and it does appear that the arch frames they do are set sizes.

Sounds like a job for a man with a big router.

Or.....mad idea. Get a length of poly moulding. Cut a piece of thickish board (18mm chipboard?) the same shape as the mirror.

Fix this template to another, bigger piece of board. Mitre one end of the moulding and lay the moulding along one side of the template. A few nails should hold it tight to the side. Get a hot-air gun and warm the moulding at the curved part and bend it gradually around the curve, putting in nails to hold it as you go. Continue until it's bent all the way round..... Then all you need do is mitre the other end (won't go in a morso - have to hand saw it) and cut a straight piece for the bottom. To back the mirror and strengthen the frame, you'll need to screw a strong backing to the back of the frame.

It might work. If it does, I doubt whether you'll do it with out marking the finish, so a re-paint will probably be in order. It might be tricky if you are using a wide moulding- depends on the tightness of the arch.

Just a thought....

You could buy one of these:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpDJNYqCrEU

I've got their catalogue and there are accessories which would enable you to do this. The video shows the smallest machine in their range, but there are bigger versions. They have a UK distributor in buckinghamshire, near to High Wycombe.

One day I would like to get one of these! A nice bit of kit!