How many of you measure...

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Dsigr

Dsigr

Grumbler
Joined
Jun 27, 2002
Posts
49
Loc
Springfield, Missouri
I buy my mouldings chopped. I was wondering if very many of you measure the chops first 'before' gluing or do you just go ahead and glue and hope it is the right size?
 
I always check all frames against the object being framed before joining, regardless of whether the frame is a chop (from a vendor) or chopped in my shop (by me).
 
I usually have the piece to be framed near my fit-up bench matted and ready to go into the assembled frame and take one long and one short rail and make sure they fit the matted work. That way I know I didn't make some "Dumb David" mistake and cut the mat wrong and that everything was measured correctly. I've found mistakes boh ways in this manner and would rather catch myself before assembling the frame.

Dave Makielski
 
I FAX all my chop orders into the distributors. If their people can't read written numbers and transpose them to the chop saw I think that they should be given the opportunity to find a better suited job! I join 'em and go on. So far I have had no reason to measure before I join.

Let me ask a followup question, how many chops have you received that were the wrong size??
 
I notice I recieve incorrect chops during the busy seasons or during summer vacation periods.... probably when these guys hire newbies when they go on vacation
 
I always had a 60" metal rule attached to the top front end of my Vacuseal press. I had a 45-degree stop cut from aluminum bar stock attached to one end.

The press was right next to the joining vice and underpinner. I'd unwrap the chops on the press and slide the rails against the rule to check the length before I'd join the frame. It took a few seconds, and I didn't have to bother Stanley.

I had normally reliable vendors send four rails - each a different length.

I gotta tell you, this is starting to feel like ancient history to me. If I start telling stories about Herb Carithers, please stop me and I'll stick to dog stories.
 
We're human, even the choppers "there". I measure before I join, whether they're ordered chopped, or I chop them or someone else in-house has chopped. Rarely have a discrepency, but nice to catch it before I have to break the glued/joined miters, trim, reglue, rejoin....or just re-order if too short. Just habit.

And fyi, I make more errors than"they" do...interruptions and my A.A.A.D.D (Age-activated-attention-deficit-disorder)!
 
We all make mistakes... 3/8, 3/4... 21, 22. But it is interesting that they rarely come in too big, noooo that would be too easy to fix. Always too short. And yes my anal retentive husband measures each piece, marks the customer name, order number, supplier and moulding number on each frame, too. I have been glad many a time, too, I'll tell you!
 
Like Val and Ellen said, we are human and can make mistakes. I don't often order chops, but I will always double check measurements before assembly, whether I ordered a chop or cut the length myself. There is a particular shadow box moulding that I find hard to cut & glue, so I order this particular frame already assembled. I double check the measurements on the assembled frame as well since a couple of times, the frame was the wrong size (e.g. 26 x 31 1/4 comes back as 26 1/4 x 31). In those cases, I have been able to just make a minor adjustment in the mat size and carried on. I notify my supplier of the error and they have discounted the frame for me.

I personally prefer to have the frame completely assembled before I start cutting any mats, glass, foamboard, etc.. That way I can make any minor adjustments in the mat/glass size if I've made a slight boo-boo in the frame size. I've read that many of you have the piece already to fit into the frame by the time the frame is actually chopped & assembled. Perhaps I just do things backwards :shrug:
 
I’ve been criticized for doing this, but I always order chops 1/2” larger than I need and re-miter the corners. (Not necessarily bragging, but my corners are cleaner than those cut by any distributors.)

This automatically forces me to check the ordered dimensions before I join them.
 
EllenAtHowards said:
We all make mistakes... 3/8, 3/4... 21, 22.
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Oh I just love talking in code!!

It takes me back to the good ol' days when Terminator and I were working together!

Thanks Ellen for the compliment and I am sure that you will 86,67 and come back to the 44@# for all that **51G!

Yeah!! That felt GOOD!!:thumbsup:
 
Twin2 said:
I personally prefer to have the frame completely assembled before I start cutting any mats, glass, foamboard, etc.....I've read that many of you have the piece already to fit into the frame by the time the frame is actually chopped & assembled. Perhaps I just do things backwards :shrug:
Click to expand...

I do the same thing. If nothing else, it gives the glue more time to set up and cure before the frame is subjected to the physical stresses of handling and fitting.
Sometimes on rush orders we'll have the glass/mat/art/backing package ready and taped together in advance if waiting for a chop to come in, and then just do the frame and complete the job when the chop arrives.

:cool: Rick
 
Val said:
And fyi, I make more errors than"they" do...interruptions and my A.A.A.D.D (Age-activated-attention-deficit-disorder)!
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You have that too. I'm only 35 and I have it already. Maybe I had it to start with...

Rick Granick said:
I do the same thing. If nothing else, it gives the glue more time to set up and cure before the frame is subjected to the physical stresses of handling and fitting.
Sometimes on rush orders we'll have the glass/mat/art/backing package ready and taped together in advance if waiting for a chop to come in, and then just do the frame and complete the job when the chop arrives.

:cool: Rick
Click to expand...

I was taught to do it this way. IMHO - It is usually much easier to make a minor adjustment in the fitting elements than in the moulding.
 
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