Frames

[Keith]

Does anyone make their own frames, wood or metal framing.........with the onset of winter Im thinking might make a good winter project. Tired of trying to find frames that fit,key is to find a good distributor!

[Keith]

guess not huh :confused:

[mdephoto]

I tried. Bought the pieces pre-cut and was going to nail/glue the frames together but found that I did not have the skill/tools to make the frames perfectly square and strong enough. The cost to buy the jigs and right tools made the whole process more expensive that just ordering the frames I wanted in the sizes I needed in from Light Impressions Direct. So I quit. Think I still have enough nice wood pieces about for a half dozen frames or so.

Sorry.

[Bobby]

I don't Keith but I have a friend who owns a business that does custom framing. I would be glad to speak to him anout any information that would be useful to you.

[Osprey Whisperer]

Sorry...didn't see this right away. I frame and mat my own work. I have a special room set up with miter saw and framing table, etc. It's a lot of work. I save some money...but wonder if my time is worth it ? I'd much rather be taking photos than framing them. I've used this place for a while. Great prices and service. Get most all of my supplies here. Order bulk framing and mat board. Lot cheaper than locally.

http://www.framingsupplies.com/AluminumFrames/AlumimumFramePage.htm

Not to scare you off..but this takes some time and effort. Once you get set up it's not too bad. I have a special saw table I built..with jigs and clamps. I've got two special saw blades (metal/wood). They were about $100 each. The saw was about $150 and the rest is labor.

I use mostly aluminum framing. The wood is a bit more tricky...as the aluminum is a fancy "system" with clamps, springs, corners and hangers. You can also buy these pre cut to length. They come in pairs..so you need to order 2 "pairs" for a full frame.

With the wood framing material...you will probably want to buy one of the framing kits/machines. It's like a vice type system that drives a corogated type fastener (nail) into the wood corners. It's also got a right angle jig. These are not too expensive for the low end models. About $150 or so. You can always glue and nail/staple your own. I have a neumatic nailer that works pretty well with small finishing nails. I like the aluminum better for ease of assembly.

I get the mat board by the case/box..and I order the minimum per box. There is a somewhat expensive "box/shipping" charge..but if you add all the prices up including shipping..I still save about 50% off local (wholesale) prices.

If you are serious and going to mat/frame lots of prints..it's probably worth it to set up a permanent station/area for this. If you are just going to frame a print every now and then..might just order the precut frames and be done with it.

One more thing....glass/acrylic. This is also expensive to ship. You might do as well locally for glass. Check out your local glass shop for a quote. Like most things in business..the more you order .....the cheaper the piece price is.

Any questions.....give me a yell

Good luck.

[imageswest]

We cut our own mats and make our own frames. My wife had taken a framing course, and had all the tools when I met her... :D

[Jonathan]

I tried. Bought the pieces pre-cut and was going to nail/glue the frames together but found that I did not have the skill/tools to make the frames perfectly square and strong enough. The cost to buy the jigs and right tools made the whole process more expensive that just ordering the frames I wanted in the sizes I needed in from Light Impressions Direct. So I quit. Think I still have enough nice wood pieces about for a half dozen frames or so.

Sorry.

Mike, how has your experiance been with light impressions direct?

[Keith]

Great info Mike, I appreciate you taking the time!! will definitely look into it :D


Sorry...didn't see this right away. I frame and mat my own work. I have a special room set up with miter saw and framing table, etc. It's a lot of work. I save some money...but wonder if my time is worth it ? I'd much rather be taking photos than framing them. I've used this place for a while. Great prices and service. Get most all of my supplies here. Order bulk framing and mat board. Lot cheaper than locally.

http://www.framingsupplies.com/AluminumFrames/AlumimumFramePage.htm

Not to scare you off..but this takes some time and effort. Once you get set up it's not too bad. I have a special saw table I built..with jigs and clamps. I've got two special saw blades (metal/wood). They were about $100 each. The saw was about $150 and the rest is labor.

I use mostly aluminum framing. The wood is a bit more tricky...as the aluminum is a fancy "system" with clamps, springs, corners and hangers. You can also buy these pre cut to length. They come in pairs..so you need to order 2 "pairs" for a full frame.

With the wood framing material...you will probably want to buy one of the framing kits/machines. It's like a vice type system that drives a corogated type fastener (nail) into the wood corners. It's also got a right angle jig. These are not too expensive for the low end models. About $150 or so. You can always glue and nail/staple your own. I have a neumatic nailer that works pretty well with small finishing nails. I like the aluminum better for ease of assembly.

I get the mat board by the case/box..and I order the minimum per box. There is a somewhat expensive "box/shipping" charge..but if you add all the prices up including shipping..I still save about 50% off local (wholesale) prices.

If you are serious and going to mat/frame lots of prints..it's probably worth it to set up a permanent station/area for this. If you are just going to frame a print every now and then..might just order the precut frames and be done with it.

One more thing....glass/acrylic. This is also expensive to ship. You might do as well locally for glass. Check out your local glass shop for a quote. Like most things in business..the more you order .....the cheaper the piece price is.

Any questions.....give me a yell

Good luck.

[Roger]

Interesting thred, if those of you that don't make your own buy frames, it makes me wonder where everyone buys them?

heh.

[Caper]

I have seen some places where you can order custom lengths and assemble them at home but seems like to much work.

I have been buying 12X16 frames lately. I print 8 by 12 which is what is captured and use larger paper and cut it down to 12by 16 with a 2 inch border. I was going to matte the print but I like them so much with the 2 inch border I have decided not to bother.

It sure is nice to not have to crop something you spent alot of time making just right.

[Pat]

Up to three years ago I made my own frames as mentioned above setup can be exspensive at first ,and it does not end there the wood and glass is so expensive these days it is just not worth it unless you take a short cut and use PDF , you might as well make the photo fit the frame and goto the local market and buy the frame.

[Ron Lacey]

Does anyone make their own frames, wood or metal framing.........with the onset of winter Im thinking might make a good winter project. Tired of trying to find frames that fit,key is to find a good distributor!

I do most of my own mounting matting and framing. I buy bolt together quality metal frame pieces and hardware locally which can be cut to any custom size, dry mount using a Seal heat press and cut mats using a Logan matt cutter. I've bought some supplies online using http://www.clearbags.ca/

Ron

[Cyber Surfer]

I buy most of my frames at Superstore, Walmart, and Michael's. I looked into making my own and soon found out that it's too expensive and too work intensive for my liking. Easier to buy!

I watch for the 50% or 40% sales at Michael's and buy my stock while it is cheap.

[EV Wonder]

I buy most of my frames at Superstore, Walmart, and Michael's. I looked into making my own and soon found out that it's too expensive and too work intensive for my liking. Easier to buy!

I watch for the 50% or 40% sales at Michael's and buy my stock while it is cheap.

I agree that framing is labor intensive and that it requires some skill to accomplish properly. Buying is the easiest way to go, but I think 40%-50% off at Michaels is like regular price everywhere else. Man those guys are expensive!! shocked;

Anyone know of a cheaper place to buy quality frames? I rather spend the savings on some new glass. :biggrin:

[MiriamJ]

Here's a couple of reliable sources to purchase frames. This one is good for custom sizes: http://www.sendaframe.com/new_fgallery/customize.shtml

Another is:
http://www.framedestination.com/

[Guy]

Years ago I lived in Edmonton and used to go to a company called " U Frame It ". You picked out what you wanted and they cut it to size.. frame, matt, glass etc. You used their table, tools & jigs and it made life very easy. They used to offer a 10 or 15% reduction if you were framing your own work. In the end it was quite a bit cheaper than having it done. I don't know if they are still in business but I did find one via Google in Calgary. You might want to give the number a call and see if it's the same idea..................

U-frame-it
1232 17 Ave Sw
Calgary AB, T2T 0B8
Phone: 403-245-8216