The Framers Forum

Well, I've been gathering all the necessary framing equipment and goodies as I wait for the garage to finally finish it's conversion into a framing studio, but I still lack a vertical cutter (or equivalent) and work benches.

I've been looking at the Keencut Proteus and Evolution gear and would like some experienced advice on the matter. The benches seem well constructed and versatile, but are there other alternatives that I should consider?

Once again, many thanks for your kind replies.

Height of the benches is important, Consider being higher than waist height, low benches cause back ache

Ian

Thanks very much for that tip. I'm 6'4", so that is something to consider.

above waist height will give you storage space for mount board underneath

My benches are home made using machine finished timber and MDF top surfaces. They are all very solid and robust.

The biggest bench is built onto the top of an oversize A0 plan chest and I use this for mount cutting.

I also have two medium size benches, although one doubles as a shop counter at present. One has compartments for mountboard, while the other has compartments for customers framing jobs.

The smallest bench is fitted with a 30" long old fashioned bench end gillotine, which is very useful for cutting down standard sized mountboard, or backing board pieces. It has drawers with internal box dividers for framing hardware, such as screws and D-rings with compartments below for glass, mountboard and backing off cuts. I cut these off cuts into standard sizes before storing them in the bench, this saves a lot of time and wastage.

There's another small bench planned and a small shop counter, but both of these are still waiting to be created at an appropiate time.

All of my benches are covered with Solid Kraft backing board, which getting recycled when it gets dirty on one side, as backing boards for the mirrors which I sell at auction. Very little get wasted in my business.

Build your own, custom fit, then you will know they will fit where you want them, mine are all 4"x4" timber for legs, 4"x1" stringers and 18mm chipboard tops.

Thanks everyone for the sensible advice. My start up costs are escalating and I need to economize pretty quickly.
I think I should consider the homemade option before sinking any more capital into expensive, stylish, prefabricated luxuries.

Now, where did I put that hammer?

All good advice, you should build you own - you'd be surprised how easy it can be and you'll also get that sense of achievement too

Oh, and don't forget about the height - it's better if you get that right too as it makes a huge difference