What are the Basics?

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Spartan

Grumbler in Training
Joined
Aug 26, 2008
Posts
6
Loc
Salmon Arm, BC CANADA
Hi all
This newbie has a lot of questions...
I just bought out a closed picture framing shop.
I am just acquiring the final supplies needed for my home based frame shop. I am going to do it as hobby for now and see where it takes me.
I have most of the equipment that I need and enough mats to last me for years.
What I am missing is all of the tapes, V-nails and point driver and points.
I would like to buy the most common sizes used without having too many "dogs" laying around. Everything will be acid-free.

My questions are:
***What size of Acid-free AGT tapes should I get. Are 1/4 and 1/2 inch the norm? Should I need to get a couple of tape guns?

***What other tapes should I have at my disposal? Framers tape? linen tape? Conservative tape?

***Should I use multi-tape desktop dispenser?

***I need a point driver. What is the best all round driver? Should I get rigid or flexible points? and what sizes would do?

And Lastly...
***I have a VN2 V-nailer. What size v-nails should I get?

I have all of the hardware for hanging the frames. Is there anything else that no small frame shop should be without?

I gotta start somewhere.

Thanks for your help.
John
 
Spartan said:
I have all of the hardware for hanging the frames. Is there anything else that no small frame shop should be without?
Click to expand...
Welcome to the Grumble. Not to be flippant, but the most important thing not to be without is a good basic background of information on the proper materials and techniques to use. It goes beyond just freedom from acid. If you use the Search function above you will find many references to sources of books, videos, and framing schools. Attending a trade show and taking classes would also be helpful. The state of the framing art has changed a lot over the years, so if you are going to work on items belonging to other people, your wisest move would be to begin by familiarizing yourself with the current standards. It doesn't matter what kind of tape dispenser you use.
:kaffeetrinker_2: Rick

P.S.: I find the 7mm and 10mm v-nails the most useful sizes.
 
What is your background and training Spartan?
 
get you to a framing school(there's a 2weeker in scotia(?))-google their existence/locations!!!!!!!! attend some of the 'shows' and go to ALL the classes you can fit in(AND take copious notes!!!!) and talk with any/everyone you meet. develope a friendship with 1 or all of the 'other' guys(not too easy to do in the same city) and see if you can hang out awhile(bring cookie/coffee as bribes) and ask so many ?'s they tell you to leave. go to school on them-- for layout of equipment & how/why they do what they do---and take copious notes here also! Talk the previous owner into tutoring/mentoring-perhaps the best option/least expensive/shortest time frame. do thread searches on the various subjects we deal with and read em. practice what you learn---THAT's really the only way to 'learn' stuff.
 
Isn't there a Decor library book with a list in it? Something about 5 white mats, 5 off whites, 1 each of hundreds of colors? List of basic tools etc?

First like my nemesis Bill says, get educated. then get the CPF test books and read them. write down what you need to do the job right and buy those materials.

Many of us have learned the hard way that a job done with poor materials will cost you more than a job done right. Preservation techniques may require more expensive materials, but glue a van gogh to a piece of cardboard and you're out millions! That trip to Nova Scotia looks cheaper all of a sudden!
 
Welcome John-

Please don't get hung up on the "acid-free" moniker-

Ammonia is "acid free" but that doesn't make it a good thing framing wise.......

Acid Free ATG tape may be a worthless expense- it depends on what you are using it for-saying your framing materials are "acid-free "really doesn't mean much. For example, what benefit would it provide for attaching Kraft dust covers?

There was a line of wood pulp matboards made by a major manufacturer that all said, Acid Free on them. That did not make them acceptable for use in preservation framing because they failed to meet the criteria in many other areas.

I really think you would do well to study the requirements/specifications of what makes a matboard qualify for a "conservation" label and understand what the bad stuff is (lignen, alum, rosin, pH lower than 7) and what the good stuff is (alpha cellulose, alkaline reserve- calcium carbnonate (and when CaCo3 is actually bad).

I think you also should study the pH scale and understand it, the photometric spectrum and what causes fading.

And, give serious consideration to three days at the WCAF is Las Vegas in January, leaving Tuesday night open for the Chinese dinner where you can meet a lot of us!
 
I took a picture framing course in Vancouver a couple of years ago but, have never used my training.
I have always had it in the back of my mind that this is what I would like to do. So, when the opportunity came up to buy out a frame shop...
I know I have a lot to learn about this craft. But, I think with books, the net, and the grumble there is a wealth of information out there. I wouldn't even mind working in a frame shop with no pay while I learn.

I appreciate any words of wisdom anyone way have...and thanks for the welcomes.

John
 
Welcome Spartan.

First and formost get some good basic training. Know the procedures and products inside out. If you don't know, ask! There is a wealth of information available to you and alot of very skilled and helpful framers on this board.

Good luck

Rob
 
Do not forget about insurance. Many store front operations have insurance policies that cover property of others. Home based/hobby type operations may be short on insurance for property of others that is in your care custody and control. Most homeowners policy have very limited coverage for Art, especially of others.
 
I can't express enough the importance of training, absorb as much info as you can from the mentioned sources. Idyllic would be to get some hands on training from an experienced framer or by taking advantage of classes at trade shows.

Framing isn't brain surgery nor is it a hobby....it's a skilled craft. No matter how many years you accumulate under your belt, there is always more to learn.

Good luck and have fun.
 
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