Spandrel Frame

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GeoSpectrum
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Spandrel Frame

Post by GeoSpectrum »

I’ve been asked to make an oval spandrel frame. I can make the spandrel I was just wondering what material to use. I’m thinking of plywood? It will have a bevelled edge but I’m not sure about getting a smooth finish on the bevelled edge. I’ve included an image as an example of what I am planning. Any thoughts on options?
04154680-0AAC-4055-A6D1-9C24A6121CF4.jpeg
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Re: Spandrel Frame

Post by fusionframer »

Depends on size really. I think getting a smooth finish on the bevelled edge would be a pain using plywood. If you can get other timber in the size you need, i would go for that.

You would be better off with pine tbh if you can get a piece with no knots. Those pine furniture boards you can get in b &q might be ok, and are 18mm thick like ply.

When i make window boards for customers, i use idigbo.
The main reason is that it is cheap, but has a even grain, so paints to a smooth finish. You will get idigbo from a timber yard and will need to machine to size, thickness etc.

I may have a piece of idigbo in my offcuts that will end up as firewood i could thickness to the size you need. I think it is about 250mm wide by 500mm long.

Cheers

Nick

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Re: Spandrel Frame

Post by GeoSpectrum »

Thanks very interesting, I'll take the idigbo if you have some to spare. Let me know what I owe you, postage etc. Where do you get it from? I've searched for wood thin enough for this sort of job and can't seem to find much, is it a case of buying a planer/thicknesser?
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Re: Spandrel Frame

Post by fusionframer »

I get it from Robbins timber in Bristol. Most decent timber yards will have it, but it will be a case of planing a thicknessing.

Idigbo planes easily, so a small bench planer thicknesser or even something like the triton thicknesser would do a good job.

If you let me know thickness, i can quickly get it to what you want. This piece will be 38mm or 52mm thick to start with, but i can take most off with bandsaw and then thickness to get smooth finish. It will only take a few mins so no hassle.

Cheers

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Re: Spandrel Frame

Post by poliopete »

I have obtained idigbo (also called "poor mans oak") from Nixons timber in Wisbech in the past in fact, they usually have some in stock and if not will get it in.

Very helpful company and never beaten on service or price.

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Re: Spandrel Frame

Post by prospero »

I've done a few of these and used a laminated construction. Bottom layer 2.5 MDF which is cuttable on an Oval 6 or whatever.
I cut this with the square edge and gently sanded the edges. The top layer (set back like a double mount) I used the good old
2mm Grey Board. The two layers glued together. The MDF provides the ridigity. The grey board may not look very appealing, but
if you paint it and then wax polish it looks very classy. It's smooth on one side and 'orange peely' on the other - take your pick.
On small sprandrels you could use two layers of Greyboard and cut a very deep bevel if you are feeling fit. :P


These have a single layer of MDF with rounded edges. Painted and gilded.
The sprandel has glass beneath.

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Re: Spandrel Frame

Post by prospero »

This one has three layers, all Greyboard. Glass beneath. The textured side makes a great faux leather.

I saw Pete Bingham do this method many moons ago. :clap:

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Re: Spandrel Frame

Post by GeoSpectrum »

Very classy. I’m working on a plan to use my CNC and birch ply.... I’ll post the results later....
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Re: Spandrel Frame

Post by Not your average framer »

Back in 2005, I spent a whole week training with Pete Bingham. I was awarded £1500 to spend on additional training and this awarded by the employment service, so I chose to spend it all with Pete and I think it was the best £1500 of somebody else's money. This trainig included a spandrel frame with a double oval mount cut out of two layers of 2mm grey board glued together with PVA glue and glued into the frame and hand finished to suit.

I thought it was an excellant looking frame and it's still kicking around somewhere among the stuff as yet to be unpacked following my change of premises. If you are looking for an ultra smooth finish, then I'm would try and find something of superior quality to Greyboard and much smoother as well.
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Re: Spandrel Frame

Post by prospero »

I'd use MDF (6mm?)rather than ply. The cut edge of MDF is hard to finish, but not as bad as ply.
The face is considerably easier to get a smooth finish on.

btw. There is a 'moisture resistant' grade of MDF (MRMDF) available , but never seen it or tried it. :roll:
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Re: Spandrel Frame

Post by vintage frames »

I agree that plain timber is the best but only if you can source wide enough and stable boards. Ply is good also and I would paint the cut bevels with a few coats of gesso to fill up any roughness. That way you'll get the perfect smooth finish. I'm just wondering why you havn't considered 6,7 or 8mm MDF.
Does it cut OK on the CMC?
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Re: Spandrel Frame

Post by GeoSpectrum »

Well, it didn’t turn out too badly for a first attempt. A bit more work on the finish I think...9mm mdf.
9FAEB047-9ACA-4D6D-8A4D-88CECCC4C588.jpeg
151CDF7B-E756-46BE-90ED-31C8C65665B3.jpeg
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Re: Spandrel Frame

Post by fusionframer »

Looks smart to me.

How many coats of paint did it take to get a nice finish?

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Re: Spandrel Frame

Post by GeoSpectrum »

1 coat of black ‘gesso’ a good sand and 1 spray coat. I’d probable go for two of each next time.
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Re: Spandrel Frame

Post by vintage frames »

Lovely job. I like the way the light catches the polish you got on the bevels. Lights up the image.
Do you make your own black gesso?
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Re: Spandrel Frame

Post by GeoSpectrum »

Thanks. I’ve been working on a range of paints and black gesso is one of them. It behaves like ripple paint but is black. Sands easily and coats well.
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Re: Spandrel Frame

Post by vintage frames »

Respect!
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Re: Spandrel Frame

Post by Not your average framer »

That's amazing. Is that really your first attempt? That's really beautiful.

A really great job! :clap: :clap: :clap:
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Re: Spandrel Frame

Post by poliopete »

That's a very nice first attempt and to achieve that finish with minimum faff is impressive. I would take my hat off - if I wore one :clap: :clap: :clap:

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Re: Spandrel Frame

Post by Not your average framer »

Spandrel frames made with 6mm MDF can look very classy. I understand why there are many who like the aperture done with a straight, or 90 degree cut, but for me the bevel cut window just looks the business on the 6mm MDF. I also won't have a choice about that soon, because my Oval 6 will soon be one oval mount cutter too many, as I now have a Fletcher Terry 1100, which does not do the straight cuts, but only beveled cuts.

The 6mm MDF sands down extremely smooth if you soak in plenty of shellac sanding sealler, before you sand in down smooth. I paint it with a mix of acrylic paint and Craig & Rose chalky emulsion, that will sand down very well and then finishes just great with 0000 steel wood, if you must have a super smooth finish.
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