Frame making

[scayf]

Has anyone out there tried their hand at making their own picture frames? I've been wanting to for the longest time, and finally decided to get myself in gear to do it. I've had an old-school frame clamp for a while now, and picked up a used Black & Decker Workmate 400 folding work bench this morning for 20 bucks (tightwad that I am). I salvaged a nice, flat piece of 2' x 2' plywood from work that's perfect for a work surface. I'm currently searching for a vintage mitre saw, the old cast-iron base type (no fancy power saws or cheapo plastic junkers for me, thanks). The only real problem I've run across is getting frame molding. None of the arts & crafts or Hobby Lobby-type places will sell it to me. I thought about using like baseboard or trim material, but, alas, I have no router (there are ways around that, though). I know there's some on eBay, but I want to see what I'm getting before I buy it. Plus, it all looks too gaudy for my purposes. I've been reading up on it, and ready to try it. Anyone here have any experience in this sorta thing? -- "He whose (desires) are few gets them; he whose (desires) are many goes astray." Lao-tze

[d-baron]

No experience, but I also would really like to learn how to do it.

[mreas]

You usually have to buy molding from someone who sells molding instead of frames. The framing places are buying their molding there too. Check your yellow pages. Here's an interesting place: austinframecompany dot com framing4yourself dot com Even though I'm the cheapest person on the planet and nominally skilled and experienced, I've found I can't save a nickel cutting my own molding and I certainly wouldn't try to do it without power tools.

[scayf]

I'd be doing it, not for costs, but as a special project (oh, I don't know...a present or something). That, and the chance to build something again. I miss working with my hands. Even have a plan to build a sander to smooth out the cuts. Thanks for the links...I'll check 'em out. I always did prefer to do things the old way, though. Reckon I was born a hundred years too late... -- "He whose (desires) are few gets them; he whose (desires) are many goes astray." Lao-tze

[bellsakabin]

I have all the gadgets to do it ...router, dremel-type tool, sanders, mitrebox and saws, table saw, scroll saw, jigsaw etc the list goes on ...but I haven't a workshop *sigh* or an art room *bigger sigh* ....but I am working on it! Oh, the other way to make interesting shapes in the wood is to use fire ;-) You can scorch and sand the wood to make it unique and interesting. If you are really into doing it the old-fashioned way ...fire, sand (not paper), mmmm and probably thick skin hehehe. I know in the past they used a stone to push the sand around to remove the charcoal from the inside of a "dugout" canoe ;-) Gosh now wouldn't that be fun! Regards, Belinda 🙂

[scayf]

Fire and sand...that does sound interesting. Might have to give that a try. I've got a Dremel; handiest gadget ever invented. Used one extensively when I was a gunsmith. Couldn't live without it! And I know what you mean about not having workspace. My "workshop" (read: bedroom) is almost 12' x 12'. I have use of the garage, but only when the landlady's at work. One of the drawbacks of renting a room... -- "He whose (desires) are few gets them; he whose (desires) are many goes astray." Lao-tze -- Edited by scayf at 07/20/2007 5:25 PM

[cheries_art]

I've made many, many picture frames!! Worked for a framing company for around 10 years! We bought our moulding by the tons, in bundles, long sticks and, of course, made thousands of frames in a week. The moulding we bought was already dadowed, or the rabbett was already made. Sometimes I got to cut the moulding, sometimes pin it, (or v-nail them together), and sometimes I got to use the inverted router to make the keyholes on back...and we had a drill press for some of them. I left there in November, kind of miss it now!:-( It sure was interesting work, that's for sure! -- Cherie

[traceerene_1]

I don't know a thing about framing, but I was given a brochure with an order I placed from Terry Madden's website. The framing website is logangraphic dot com Well, I just checked out the site before posting, looks like they don't sell directly, but gives a link to retailers; for my zip it lists hobby lobby, michaels and joann fabrics. After looking into this before posting, I'm not sure if this is what your looking for, but I'll post anyways. GL--let us know what you find out.

[homeart_designs]

Hi! I was watching the Carol Duvall show about a month ago and she was making picture frames with some kind of cutter she said you can buy at hobby lobby. It looked like a pair of scissors and cut a perfect mitered corner on the frame molding. She then glued the pieces together and it made a perfect frame. The frame molding she used was about 3/4" wide. If it works like she demonstrated, it would be great for making small frames for ACEO's. Does anyone know what this gadget is called? Can't recall the name. I'll try and find out when I go and let you know.