Bromley Art Society Bringing Artists Together since 1947

There are available videos and books on all aspects of framing pictures.  Telephone 01502 724935 or email mail@moyrabyford.com for videos.  Your library has several books on framing. 

Your Equipment

(a)    Basic Tools: hammer, craft knife (preferably a Stanley knife with spare medium  blades), a clear plastic ruler – at least 50 cm in length, a straight edge (unless ruler  on mount cutter is detachable) A 1 m steel rule is just right – can be expensive but  worth it.

(b)    Essential Tools:  mitre saw – varies considerably in price – buy the best you can afford (ca £80 - £95).  Don’t use an old mitre block. Replaceable blades and a measuring arm attached to  your saw are nice. Clamp – I find a single corner mitre clamp is best – one corner at a time. Some  framers prefer a 4 corner clamp with a strap tightener and locking device. A hot glue gun (cost ca £20) used in conjunction with the mitre clamp makes  “instant” strong joints thus allowing frames to be completed in a few minutes. Finally, pinning the corners – a small wood vice holds a frame firmly to do this. Mount cutter – there are many types available (cost between £10 and £400). One  costing about £20 is satisfactory.

[I use a steel metre rule,  Stanley knife, plank and  two nails. Angled knife blade cuts, held firmly  against rule. You need to practice this.  Easy to demonstrate, hard to explain. ‘Phone me for demo.]

Before cutting mount I use a pair of compasses to mark  corners of cut. Position picture on mountboard in frame.   Position compasses thus.

Compass makes a parallel pencil line.  Repeat x 2 on all 4 corners.

Result: Pencil marks on mount board.   Cut to intersections of pencil crosses.  Once you have the knack of it, practice  makes perfect – you can cut perfect  mounts quickly and easily.

( c) Luxury Tools: Buying 2mm glass cut to size is expensive. A good glass cutter with oil filled  handle (cost £25 - £30) cuts glass easily – the cutter will last for years.  Bulk buying glass sheets in many different sizes (packs of 10 or 20 sheets)  is very much cheaper.

A Pointgun using framer’s points (cost, including 3000 points, is about £50).  It makes picture assembly easy and quick. You can buy a cheap “push”  version for about £10. 

Always brace frame – especially if you use a hammer/nails to fix.

Finally, buy your moulding, mount and backing board, glass, etc. from a  reputable wholesaler, e.g. Wessex Pictures, Beddington Lane, Croydon  (020 8683 005). They have an excellent catalogue (cost £10 – refundable  on placing orders). Their showroom and staff are very informative – parking  on site easy. 

If you are interested in making your own frames and require help and demos,  contact me. I will be pleased to advise and help for free. Making more than  4 or 5 frames a month quite quickly pays for itself on a do-it-yourself basis.  Long term it is a very attractive way to go.  

I hope shortly to write further on dealing with different mediums of art work,  3D items, tapestries, etc.   

Peter Dinsmore