The Framers Forum

I'm looking for some advice on how i could, potentially, glaze a very large and oddly shaped frame. The frame would be to house three prints, all 3'x2' and attached to each other to make a 6' wide print. The tricky part comes is that the prints are designed to be stepped up from each other. I will try to attach photos in the comments to explain what i mean. Overall i have the frame coming to 72" x 47 5/8" and i don't really fancy my chances ordering a huge sheet of some kind of plastic and attacked it with a stanley knife and ruler! Any suggestions welcome.

Rough shape

Much smaller example of the same thing I made a while ago

After properly measuring and laying out the design, I would drill very small holes where the cuts are at right angles in acrylic sheet. I have a table saw to cut along the straight lines. I would use the table saw up to about 5-6mm from each hole and then finish off the cut with a hand-held saber saw. Or cut the entire sheet of glazing with a saber saw.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I27INWIhh5s

Hi TC

A nice frame. I am certain I read a little back an article where Wessex had cut glass to an odd shape. Might be worth looking into.

If you don't fancy power-sawing, A Japanese woodworking saw will cut with minimal effort. Very sharp fine teeth and
very controllable as they cut on the backstroke. I bought one on a whim while in LDLs and it's proved very handy for a
variety of jobs.

** 3mm Polycarbonate might be preferable to acrylic.

If you have a jigsaw, you can buy blades for cutting acrylic or polycarbonate. Dead simple and leaves a good finish.

I agree with above comment about using polycarbonate over acrylic.

Cheers

Nick

Thanks all for the suggestions. I don't have a jigsaw or any of the other suggested tools, but my dad does so I'll see if he can sort me out. Cheers

If you cut it with a jig saw tape the bottom plate of the jig saw as it can scratch when cutting,
Dave