Help needed for new framer

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Nigel

Grumbler in Training
Joined
Jul 27, 2003
Posts
3
Loc
England, Kent
I want to frame pictures as a hobby but would like to turn professional at some stage. I am from the United Kingdom. What equipment should I buy. At the moment I am using an electric mitre saw, but the quality of the mitres varies too much. Should I buy a mitre trimmer to make the mitres more accurate or buy a new mitre saw. I have seen the Nobex mitre saw is used for amatures like me but I don't know how good it is. Can anyone advise me which way to go please.
Many thanks
Nigel
 
The nobex saw is a hobby saw.It won,t give an acceptable finish if you want to turn out reasonable quality work.Buy a good electric mitre saw with a solid base.Most of the joiners (carpenters) type saws are crap for framing purposes.I have the omga t55 300 saw which you can buy from Bohle in manchester.But see what you reckon yourself they are not especially cheap but they are versatile.

If you can manage to find a Morso guillotine second hand or something then buy it.They tend to hold their value pretty well so if you can afford to buy a new one then do it and at least you will get some of your wedge back if you decide that framing is a pile of pants.

I personally have never used a mitre trimmer.I think if your equipment is accurate in the first place then there is no need for a trimmer as well.

Talk to some of the framing suppliers reps.They will all be keen to sell you all sorts of stuff but the basic outlay to start framing isn,t exactly massive.Better to buy good stuff straight away than have to bin everything and start again if you get serious about it.

Try exchange and mart.I have seen morsos in there for sale sometimes.

BTW the morso tends to make a bit of a mess of shell backed moulding and thats why I have a saw as well.Plus I can cut the much wider mouldings easier.

If you can handle the dust...

[ 07-27-2003, 11:40 AM: Message edited by: Reynard ]
 
Nigel, welcome to the Grumble.. So nice to see another Englishman (sorry Reynard) joining us.
Reynard's words are wise ones.
Look at D J Simons & Sons in London, they do a very good start up package for new framers. As do Arqadia.
A word of warning. 7 years ago when we started as a cottage industry, we (trying to save money) purchased a cheap underpinner.. MISTAKE.... It didnt last two years and was out of warranty by then.. We had to purchase another one.
So as the saying goes. "You need to spend to save"
Another point of interest is Read the Grumble. Get to know the players on here - their humour is somewhat different though - Having said that, they are a mind of information and no matter how silly the question might seem to you, they have certainly heard it before, They may take the rise out of you, but you will get an honest answer.
Keep the question coming... We learn from the replies as well
Good Luck
 
Have no info on equip in the UK, but welcome to the Grumble, Nigel.
If I may be so bold, you might want to contact Dermot, often found on the Grumble Forum, or on Warped. He may be of some assistance.
Whatever you do, I wish you the best of luck, from one of your Colonial 'cousins'!
 
Hello and Welcome from sunny California,
When I first started out my shop I recommend buying some quality used items. Morso or Jyden choppers and C&H or Fletcher mats cutters and wall cutters. Most of these used items need a little love and care and can give you years of good service and profit to then buy new equipment. If you get a used choppoer chances are the blades will need to be sharpened. Check the width of the blade they may need replacing which is a good idea to have a fresh set on hand. Use some old moulding or damaged to chop and join to see how the corners look then do some micro adjustments to the back stop wings to get a good join. Years ago I purchaed a C&H mat cutter that would have sold new in 1980 for $800.00 U.S. and I got it for $150.00. I am still using it today. Buy a new fletcher frame master point driver for installing mats and glass in to the frames, costs less than $100.00. Check with your local distributor or reps to find out if someone is selling equip. or closing they're shop and want to sell off everything.
Well got to get back to watching the girls in bikini's walk down the street! :eek:

Email me anytime if I can help you out,

Best wishes and Sales to all,
Glenn
 
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