Back to Basics

[Ron Eggers]

Lance has a signature that says something like, "Don't return to basics - never leave them."

Because of some conversations I've had with some Grumblers lately - either on the phone or in person - I've been thinking about this a lot.

A Grumbler called for advice on a replacement compressor for her underpinner. In the meantime, she had another framer joining frames for her. My Cassesse 830 has been on the fritz for two years and I haven't had it fixed yet. I get some frames joined by my chop vendors, but I also use one of the four mitre vises I have in the shop (with glue and nails) and a detail biscuit joiner for larger profiles. I've also joined more than a couple of frames for other area framers.

Several new framers have been agonizing over which underpinner to buy. See above. Or which double-mitre chop saw.

I talked to a new framer the other day that does not have a manual matcutter in her shop. She uses a Wizard. Even when my Mat Maestro is happy and productive (a more common occurence with the new software I've installed,) I use my Fletcher 2100 every single day.

I talked to a framer yesterday who mentioned, in passing, that all you absolutely need to get started is a matcutter (and presumably a few hand tools.) This startled me at first, but I realize he's right.

Don't misunderstand me. I love my quirky CMC, my Vacuseal press, my Fletcher Wall-Cutter, my AMP mitre sander and all the other tools and gadgets. And I don't think you have to cut 100 mats/day to justify a CMC in your shop. But how/when did all these things become essential to the cash-strapped framer starting out? Especially when this cash might be better spent marketing and promoting the new business, taking some classes, building a good reference library, going to some trade shows, etc etc etc.

BTW, I'm not implying that any or all of the framers I talked to are cash-strapped or new to the business. You know who you are and I mean no offense.

 

[Jim Miller]

...But how/when did all these things become essential to the cash-strapped framer starting out? Especially when this cash might be better spent marketing and promoting the new business, taking some classes, building a good reference library, going to some trade shows, etc etc etc.

Interesting thoughts, Ron. The technology of our industry is changing rapidly, and Grumblers are the sort who keep up with such things.

I'm sure that somewhere out there, a few framers still cut mats with an X-acto knife, cut glass with a hand held cutter, cut miters with a miter box & handsaw, join frames with a vice and nails, and fit with a brad pusher. They don't have a compressor or a power tool anywhere in the shop. We may never know how many of them are out there, because those framers also don't have computers and never heard of The Grumble.

There's enough going on these days with framing equipment to make one's head spin. Some tools are essential now, some are easily justified by efficiency, and some are just fluff -- at least in some shops.

Wouldn't it be good to have a class on the subject? It might have an unbiased evaluation of all the major makers' tools, comparing features. It might include a guide to establishing budgets & choosing equipment priorities. And I think it should help framers determine which tools are right for their kind and size of framing business.

What do you think?

 

[B. Newman]

Originally posted by Jim Miller:
I'm sure that somewhere out there, a few framers still cut mats with an X-acto knife, cut glass with a hand held cutter, cut miters with a miter box & handsaw, join frames with a vice and nails, and fit with a brad pusher. They don't have a compressor or a power tool anywhere in the shop. We may never know how many of them are out there, because those framers also don't have computers and never heard of The Grumble.

Well at least I've got a real matcutter and a drill.

And a computer!

Betty

 

[B. Newman]

Seriously, I think a class would be great. You know, we're the only industry that can purchase tools as we need them.

I can imagine a dentist saying, "Oh Mrs. Jones, you need an x-ray. I'll have a machine in next week sometime... And while I'm at it, I'll get a drill, you look like you need a filling, too."

Betty

 

[AnneL]

Actually, Ron, they wouldn't even need a mat cutter, just a computer with POS software. They could use Framer Solutions software to order mats cut by a CMC. They could order all their frames chopped and joined and all their glass cut to size. Then all they would need is a point driver and a few hand tools to assemble everything.

My shop is small, I don't even have a wall cutter. (Too many doors and windows, we don't have a wall big enough for one.) I don't use a CMC, I use my 2100 to size board, cut mats and trim photos. I order everything chop and join frames with a vise and nails but am considering a biscuit joiner. I cut glass with a hand cutter and I'm good at it. I do have a Seal dry mount press, but it is an older one. Mine is not a high volume operation, I haven't really had a need to automate my operation. Besides, I don't like power tools, I'm accident prone enough as it is with the hand tools!

 

[Lance E]

On the nose Ron, that is pretty much the sort of thing that gets us all frustrated when something goes wrong with the fancy machinery etc.

My reason for the signiture is actually more about remembering what the core of your business is. A good example for us was upon the purchase of digital printing machinery. The question was "should we provide an outlab service" which would make us part wholesale part retail, it was decided that the core is retail and we want to focus on that and provide the best service for the retail customers. The same analasis should be applied to all decisions regarding any aspect of your business whether it be the purchase of machinery or introduction of additional product/service.
Most importantly, remain objective.

 

[Ron Eggers]

Jim, I think a class on "equipment management" is an excellent idea. Framers at all levels of experience are constantly making decisions about purchasing, leasing or upgrading equipment. The equipment keeps getting more complex. Most of us don't have any kind of formal maintanance schedules in place and we're not really sure how to analyze our needs.

Some information about how to find out if the manufacturer is on the verge of bankruptcy before buying equipment from them would be good, too.

It's a good signature, Lance, and apparently subject to individual interpretation.

 

[Jim Miller]

Originally posted by AnneL:
...they wouldn't even need a mat cutter, just...POS software. They could use Framer Solutions...They could order all their frames chopped and joined...glass cut to size. Then all they would need is a point driver and a few hand tools...

Anne describes a small shop similar to many home-based framers' shops and even some store fronts. Those framers can still work profitably, but their limitations become greater as the market evolves and other framers embrace advanced technology.

Each of us finds a mix of manual skills, tools and equipment, framing expertise, and business acumin that results in a profitable business. We continually improve our businesses by using better tools, methods and materials. Or not, in which case the limitations grow.

Ron's start of this thread puts a whole new light on the matter of tools. Think about it. As the range of framing tools/equipment continues to expand, framers are having to consider more and more options.

Once upon a time, the best tool for fitting was a brad pusher. Then we found glazier's points, then a special fitting tool was invented, and another, and another...now we have dozens of choices to accomplish just that one task.

Framers' tool/equipment decisions are as diverse as their businesses, but they go through the decision-making process nonetheless. And a frame shop's ability to sustain or advance depends on how well the tool/equipment decisions are made. At one time or another, most framers make an ill-advised decision about tools/equipment -- some mistakes are of little consequence, but a few of them could be fatal to the business.

We have excellent classes on materials and methods, and now business matters, too -- but few (except infomercials) on how to choose tools/equipment. So, wouldn't it be useful for framers to have a class about the choices? What do you think would be most useful in such a class? Let's put one together.