Opinions Wanted I need advice on equipment for start up framing business

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Tileframer

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Sep 16, 2009
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Olympia, Washington
I'm starting an e-business involving framed ceramic tile. I've made the tile, I've settled on the moulding (I think) but a decent mitered corner eludes me. My problem... I've got a $100 blade on an $80 Ryobi saw. Are some brands of power saws more true than others? For finishing, would a guillotine trimmer or a mitre sander be the better option? Which brand? Of course if anyone has a Morso chopper on a layaway plan let me know...
 
Are all of your tiles the same size? It might be more cost-effective for you to find a manufacturer or vendor who will chop and join these frames for you - you can get really great prices with quantities.

A good miter saw and joining equipment would cost you way more than what you have invested in hobby tools so far and depending on where you are in the world you could get some terrific recommendations here on the Grumble. OTOH you may be able to pick up great used equipment in our For Sale part of the forum or on Craigslist or even ebay.

I guess it depends on if you want to be a framer or a tile-maker.

Welcome, BTW - got any photos of your tiles? You make them by hand, have them manufactured in China - do tell!

More information begets more information.
 
Actually my mom is the tile maker; original art, hand poured plaster moulds, hand pressed clay tile, original glaze formulation... I am the framer. The tiles are as uniform as ceramics get at 5"x5". Advice on cost effectively upgrading my current hobby-shop equipment is exactly what I need. Got any specific ideas?
 
Producing a frames requires both accuracy and repeatability. Eight cuts are required, and each must be at a precise 45-degree angle. If not, you get gaps.

In addition, the opposite sides of each frame must be exactly identical in length. If not, once again you will get gaps.

The saw alone isn't enough, you also need a measuring/clamping system in order to produce the pieces. Then, you must learn how to join them correctly.

Good luck in your endeavor.
 
Are some brands of power saws more true than others?


in a word....YES!!! some are just plain MADE better than others(and a $50 saw is VERY suspect not considering it's age/condition problems) and it's not just brands (there is also a learning curve involving you & your saw)---the chop saw makers make saws for the carpenter trade where a corner can be from 20* -60* and still 'work' for a house's rough carpentry. but we need 45*---no more no less. almost all the chop saws will give varying results by pushing in or out on the saw arm(the bearings/design leave a great deal to be desired). the designs/quality will NEVER change because the makers will NOT spend the $$$ to improve a product that "needs" no improvement(too small ROI).
a foot chopper may be good for you--depending on the profile you use (and your luck at not having the rear/lower portion of the frame 'bust' out as these are want to do).. which leaves you with a so-so saw and your needing to get a miter sander to 'true up' your sloppy miters. this works....works well, BUT costs you the time trouble that you shouldn't have to spend if the cuts were that good to start with. which leaves the situation of YOU finding one of US(who probably already has a good cutter and, perhaps, sander) and let us have all the fun of fighting the afore mentioned problems and delivering to you a completed frame of the correct size/shape/eye appeal.
 
Based on your description of what you are doing you should be able to achieve this with about $2,000 in used equipment. Good used saw and V-Nailer.
 
Welcome to the Grumble, and
good luck with your tiles! If you ever
want to post a photo of one, it would
be fun to see them. :icon21:

My grandpa lived in Lacey.
 
I'm guessing quarter sawn white oak frame..... probably either 2" or 6" wide to go around "Craftsman" style "art" tiles.
If the 2".... a used Morso with sharp blades will be fine. About $900-1,400
If the 6"...... you're screwed.

OK, maybe not.... but you will need either a 16" chop, or a 10" high quality sliding cross-cut saw.
Or a 20" double miter chop saw...... which is the screwed part. Most house hobbiest don't have 440 pulled into their power box.
 
A used Frame Square saw would give the greatest versatility and runs on 110V (115V).
 
Lots of advice has already been shared on saw types, just make sure you have a good blade no matter what saw you use, The best blade you can buy at your local wood working store still is not good enough, the blade needs to come from a supplier that makes blades specifically for the picture framing industry. Im very happy with ultramitre
 
Thank you for the detailed reply. I'm beginning to agree that paying for a chop service from the moulding supplier is the most economical way to go for now, even if it will add apprx $10/frame. Waiting to invest in equipment until the business shows a profit especially since it's not custom framing seems to make alot of sense.
 
Inmes is your best bet!!

I have been in the business for 17 years. You will not find a more reliable saw or v-nailer on the market. There hard to find used, for the simple fact they last forever! There double miter saw will speed up your production 10 fold!
 
There's a number of good saws out there, including Pistorius, CTD, Frame Square and ITW, but I'll bet if you called 100 framers, you'd be hard-pressed to find even one who owns an IMMES. Which is they may be hard to find used.

That's not to say it's not a good saw, but I don't know how one can make a comparative statement and casually toss around superlatives.
 
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