Help - I'm Stupid

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iceref

CGF, Certified Grumble Framer
Joined
May 27, 2001
Posts
195
Loc
Omaha, NE
I need some quick help. I am embarassed to put this out but............ Have you ever began the frame assembly only to find you have glued the sides incorrectly? I am doing a frame for myself (thank God) and have glued the frame in such a way that the sides are reversed. My question is how to break the corner without damaging the frame. So far they are only held by carpenters glue. If I soak them with water, will the seal break?????
 
I've done it too. What you need is someone with big hands to hold the joined corner and slowly roll each leg of molding outward 'til the glue-joint fails. At that point you may have to sand or shave the miter slightly to get a tight join on your next attempt. I've gotten as far as securely nailing the corner before finding my error, but it's usually no big deal(although if it's an instock pattern I may start fresh).
 
If you have a mitre vise in the shop, clamp one side securely and using a chunk of wood (1/4 x 1 x 6) gently tap on the inside of the unsecured side until the joint breaks. You would be using a hammer to tap the piece of wood, sort of like using a nail set. I have joined many a frame incorrectly but I mainly use this technique to take old frames apart for reglueing. There has never been a wood frame no matter how old or glued or nailed that fails to come apart this way. Good luck.

PS for years I had little stickers on my vise that said "long" and "short."
 
Ooh!Ooh! I forgot all about the mitre vise option! If it's a Stanley type vise, you can clamp one side securely and start with the clamping head on the INSIDE of the other leg and UNSCREW the vise handle, forcing the joint apart. Which is handy if someone put long brads in from one direction only. Generally you would first crack the glue loose as previously described, though, so we're back where we started. I personally favor the application of slow controlled force rather than a percussive approach.
 
You think that's stupid? I'm going to start a thread on Warped Moulding where everybody can list a few of the stupidest things we've done in framing. It won't help you with your wrong-sided frame, but it might make you feel better.
 
Repeat after me

Left is long
Left is long
Left is long
Left is long

------------------
Timberwoman
AL
I cut the mat, I pet the =^..^= cat.
 
No nails yet? No problem. Just grab the end of both rails and squeeze them toward each other. The corner will separate with a *snap*. Then you can sand off the dried glue residue and start over.

Don't ask how I know that...
 
Iceref; Why should you be any different then all the rest of us? If you havent secured the corners with anything but glue ,i push to opposeing corners together untilll as Jim says they snap. If you used back nailing use the cornner vise method of secureing one side and unscrewing the other after doing step one. If you used Underpinners support one side from under neath while giveing the top side of the other leg a sharp rap with your fist and the corner should start slideing apart. Just be sure not to use anything that will mar the finish.
at least these have work for me. and you thought you had done something no one elae had. ROTFLOL
BUDDY
 
Elevate the corner and give push down on the ends, this will avert you damaging surrounding objects if you need a lot of pressure and the legs "fling" out.
Little on the Left
Little on the Left
Little on the Left
Little on the Left


[This message has been edited by Lance E (edited August 02, 2001).]
 
Take a utility knife blade and CAREFULLY align it with the corner joint. Then use a hammer and lightly tap the blade into the joint until the lengths separate. Then sand off the old glue and try it again.
 
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