I have a moulding style that's my own, and I order it from a supplier that routes out the moulding from my knife. I order it in raw wood that I then stain. A number of the pieces (they are all 7' or longer) have nasty looking knots and/or bad spots right in the middle of the sticks. Is this to be expected? To my way of thinking I'm paying for good quality sticks that should be completely and totally useable, but that's not what I'm getting.
Opinions Wanted Raw Moulding
- Thread starter Janis
- Start date
Pat Murphey
SPFG, Supreme Picture Framing God
Shouldn't this be a matter between you and your supplier? The specification of clear wood should be a part of the bargain that you made with them.
Riverwood
CGF II, Certified Grumble Framer Level 2
When I have had moulding made it is well understood there will be defects in the length. You should however get an allowance for these defects just like buying finished length moulding.
I guess you could order "clear" stock but the price would be much higher and justifyably so.
I guess you could order "clear" stock but the price would be much higher and justifyably so.
You did not indicate the type of wood that is specified in your order............
Depending on the species, the usable length will vary. Ex: bass wood and or popular are available "clear" in longer lengths that some hardwoods (cherry, walnut)
When ordering a custom run you by the wood by the board ft - it is then milled and you get everything that is run through the machine. Or they can scrap the "seconds" and ship you the "firsts". Either way you are billed for it all one way or another.
Depending on the species, the usable length will vary. Ex: bass wood and or popular are available "clear" in longer lengths that some hardwoods (cherry, walnut)
When ordering a custom run you by the wood by the board ft - it is then milled and you get everything that is run through the machine. Or they can scrap the "seconds" and ship you the "firsts". Either way you are billed for it all one way or another.
Find a local hardwood mill.
Jeff Rodier
SPFG, Supreme Picture Framing God
What type of lumber are you using. Is this done by a mill or a guy with some equipment. Do they make moulding as a primary business is is it just something that is offered as a sideline. There is a lot of information needed to form any opinions.
Select and better, depending on species will have some knots and wains. Pay more, or cut around them, but wood has defects.
When I've needed a lot of raw molding, I've had very good treatment from Stephen Izzo, and he can grind knives to spec.
http://stephenizzo.com/
When I've needed a lot of raw molding, I've had very good treatment from Stephen Izzo, and he can grind knives to spec.
http://stephenizzo.com/
Baer Charlton
SPFG, Supreme Picture Framing God
What Bron said, the quality of the product is based on what you specified you were willing to pay for, and what you expect.
Standard practice would be you specifying what quality you are willing to pay for.
Heart, and clear (as in moulding grade) instead of select furniture or "b" and better, may cost you double or more than you have been paying.
Standard practice would be you specifying what quality you are willing to pay for.
Heart, and clear (as in moulding grade) instead of select furniture or "b" and better, may cost you double or more than you have been paying.
In hardwoods, the highest normal NHLA grade is Firsts And Seconds (FAS). This means that with a minimum cutting size of 4" x 5' or 3" x 7', at least 83-1/3 of the board must be clear. Most companies will produce according to a "product of [grade]" spec. This means they will use the material specified (i.e. FAS lumber) and make it into the desired product.
If you have specific requirements where a "product of [grade]" will not suffice, you would need to specify what is acceptable and be willing to pay the price. Remember, the supplier is probably still going to be buying FAS* material, and wasting whatever doesn't make it. It may be simply running it all like normal and throwing it away, or it may mean making lower yield choices (total number of pieces) when cutting to maximize the shippable yield.
*assuming you need something that a product of FAS is not yielding for you.
If you have specific requirements where a "product of [grade]" will not suffice, you would need to specify what is acceptable and be willing to pay the price. Remember, the supplier is probably still going to be buying FAS* material, and wasting whatever doesn't make it. It may be simply running it all like normal and throwing it away, or it may mean making lower yield choices (total number of pieces) when cutting to maximize the shippable yield.
*assuming you need something that a product of FAS is not yielding for you.