The Framers Forum

Many thanks for these great contributions. I feel certain I will overcome my problem by employing methods you have given me. I will therefore wait with the photo shoot. My own diagnosis was that it is probably, as has been suggested: "dried clear/neutral wax sitting in the wood pores of any ope...

Thanks Framie, I will certainly give that a try!

I give my hand painted frames a coat of wax polish, using Liberon Black Bison (neutral) or Roberson Wax Medium & Varnish. This gives me a result I am pleased with, except on black paint. When I "buff up" the polish with a lint free cloth (liberon), it leaves a multitude of tiny white f...

Hi Smithy, Just read your post and thought I would comment. I started a framing business just over three years ago aged 50. It has gone really well for me, so it can be done, but I would say you have to be prepared to invest a fair bit of time, money and effort before it will start to generate incom...

Guys, Thanks so much. Some great tips. So now I'm definitely thinking LED panels and a highly reflective backing. Stephen, very impressed by the scan. If the customer wishes to progress I may well pick your brains (no pun intended) on dimming the LED's and diffusing the light.

I have a customer who is enquiring about framing a large batik fabric (2m x 1m),He would like it done, as he has seen them done in Asia, lightly streached over a frame,without glass or a backboard, and backlit with low watt lighting. I am thinking of suggesting fixing LED rope light like this: http:...

Colin, Thanks very much for sending me a copy of your programme. It really is a great tool. I'm just into my third year trading and have evolved a pricing formula for which I also use Excel, so it has been very helpful to see a much more pro programme. This should be very useful to anyone starting a...

Thanks for the input. Doesn't sound like theres much enthusiasm for an electric tab gun. I'll probably go for an pneumatic one (like the sound of the £40 job!). I had wanted something I could use in the house but it aint a big deal.

Cheers,

Colin.

I convert many of my off cuts to standard size ready made frames which I manage to shift at a steady rate. I currently use a manual Fletcher point driver to fasten the backs, however I am not happy with the results it gives me. Particularly on something like oak or ash they just don't go in far enou...

Mike Bond's Morso article here:
http://www.manchesterpictureandsportsfr ... so-article

I sell some ready mades. Its mostly the bespoke service I'm selling. Being a new business a market stall has helped me get myself known. In particular I seem to be getting a fair bit of work from the the local artistic community. The market I'm on is in a fairly wealthy small town. I'm sure there ar...

Thanks for the contributions. I was heartened by IFGL's post. Started on the market went on to greater things. Just what I wanted to hear! I was also impressed by IFGL 15yrs ago, taking an average £1000 a day.
That could be a target for me.

Its about a year since I took the plunge, and started earning my living as a Framer. I decided to take a market stall one day a week, as my point of sale. I'm at Romsey Market in Hampshire every Friday. It has gone really well for me and although it is early days, I feel my business is getting estab...

Hello, I have a customer who wants a 2"+ red lacqured effect moulding, which I am unable to get from my suppliers. Does anyone have experience of using aerosol car spray cans to colour a moulding? If so which moulding surface best suits this paint, and any other tips would be appreciated. Thank...

Thanks for that. In fact my question was prompted by the fact that an F came on ebay very nearby. It was in top condition with spare blades, but I was outbid at £725 and I lost interest. I've decided I will upgrade to the F. Just wait for the right one at the right price. Colin.

Looking at the prices of new, the bench top BA is 3/4 the price of the F. Therefore given it is so much less in size it should be every bit as accurate. I have developed a way of dealing with thicker moulding, either get them chopped for me or cut them roughly first on an electric saw and shave them...

I am fairly new to framing and use a Morso BA (the bench top model). Over the last year or so I feel I am starting to master it and am usually happy with the mitres I get. I am toying with the idea of upgrading to a Morso F. My question is: would a morso F give me a better more accurate mitre than t...

Thanks guys. I reckon an easel is the way I'll steer her. Great job on the DIY ones Peter. I don't think much of those fireguard feet and the swivel stand is going to triple the price, and would probably be a bit too technical for me.

I have been asked to put a 16" x 20" mirror in a fairly chunky oak frame . My problem is it is to sit on top of a table or dresser. The whole thing being quite heavy, I wondered if anyone had a good idea for supporting it. Either a heavy duty strut back, (where would I get one, or how to m...

Ok, Thanks chaps. Some top tips for me to experiment with. Colin.