Resource-Kit Download it here or read the full book below.

Hi, my name is David Schummy and I’ve compiled this guide is for people just starting out and who want to frame their own pictures at home or as a small home business.

If you are thinking of expanding your hobby or looking for recommendations when you are setting up a custom framing business or retail frame shop please check out my start-up program here. www.masterframeracademy.com

This guide is divided up into the following sections:

Tools and Equipment
Consumables
Education and Training

Tools and Equipment

The following tools are ones proven to help you make picture frames easily and to an acceptable standard.

Miter Saw

The hand miter saw of choice is the Nobex Proman 110
The Proman saw is made in Sweden and has a very accurate cutting system that is easy to use

The Nobex Proman has a pendulum system for holding the saw up so you can use one hand to release the saw when you are starting to cut.

It comes with a 24tpi Blade that is ideal for fine woodworking. There are good measuring stops and clamping system to help hold the timber in position. The design has improved since I took the photo above.

The Logan F100-2 is another miter saw worth considering if you can’t get a Nobex.

There are also power saws that can make things quicker but you need to ensure you get a good blade that is suitable for picture framing. One of the compound power miter saws from the Dewalt Range or Makita Range are worth considering.

DEWALT DWS780 12-Inch Double Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw has some impressive features such as:
Integrated XPS cross cut positioning system provides adjustment-free cut line indication.
Powerful 15 amp, 3,800 rpm motor delivers extended power and durability
Exclusive Back Fence design cuts up to 2 by 16 dimensional lumber at 90-degrees, 2 by 12 at 45 degrees
Adjustable stainless steel miter detent plate with 10 positive stops improves productivity, ensures accuracy

Super efficient dust collection system captures over 75-percent of dust generated.

The Dewalt DWS780

The next piece of equipment to consider is what to use for clamping and joining your cut frames.

Clamping and Joining Systems

Most professional picture framers use either a V Nailing Type machine or a Routed Plug System for joining their picture frame.

The most basic tool is just a string or strap clamp.

Nobex 4-8 Block Frame Clamp is a simple clamping tool used for joining picture frames.

It comes with eight corner block which allow you to join multi-angle frames as well four sided frames.

Use in conjunction with PVA glue and V nails.

Some of the other simple Strap type clamps include Bessey VAS23 Vario Angle Strap Clamp

or the Wolfcraft 3681404 One-Hand Ratcheting Band Clamp.

This is a useful one-hand ratcheting strap clamp for a tight join.

Metal Joining Clamps Metal clamps tend to only join one corner at a time but some are designed to work with different V nailing Tools.

You can use the strap clamps with either a hammer or V Nailing tool but it does depend on the V nailer that you choose.

Much like to traditional Stanley Mitre Vise the Rockler Miter-Tite Clamp is a sturdy piece of equipment for joining miters.

Basic V Nailer Systems

Logan framing products manufacture two simple V Nailing tools that are good for home framers.

Logan Studio Joiner Model F300-1

The studio joiner is the more economical model and it inserts a V nail whilst the frame is face down. Logan’s manually operated V-Nail Joiner makes V-nailing affordable for everyone

All purpose picture framing joiner designed for light duty framing.

Drives single v-nail, one at a time, into hard and soft woods.

The larger cousin of the Studio Joiner is the Logan Pro Joiner

Or if you are considering something that is a step up from there then consider Woodtek Miter Nailer And Clamp Jig Combo

The Woodtech joiner is a portable pneumatic underpinner suited to low volume frame making. Once you need something bigger or with more features then check out my pro-guide to Underpinners.

Mat Cutting Tools

Although there are several very basic mat cutting tools like the Logan 2000 or the Logan Team Systems I would suggest that you consider the following matcutter as an entry level quality tool.

Logan Compact Elite Mat Cutter

It is a large-capacity precision cutting system that creates professional looking beveled mats for all your framing projects.

Features include a 32-inch cutting capacity board.

Works with standard thickness mat board only Includes 1 cutting board, mat guide stop, guiderail stop, straight cutting measuring bar and stop.

Also includes bevel cutter, heavy duty straight cutter, instructional dvd and five blades

The Logan Compact Elite would accomplish most mat cutting jobs for the home framer. If you want to cut Ovals you can add the Logan Oval Cutter

There are several other larger and more advanced machines that are worth considering.

The 450-I Artist Elite Mat Cutter

Logan Simplex Elite 60 Inch MatCutter

Logan C850 Platinum Edge Cutter 40 Inch

Fitting Tools

You need to hold the picture into the frame somehow and although you can just nail in a small brad there are several tools that make things easier.

The basic fitting tool F-400-1 is a multi-purpose tool that inserts brads, framer’s points, Flexi-points and Multi-Points.

Although it only takes one point at a time it is a solid and reliable point driver when the backing sits lower than the rebate or rabbet of the frame.

Logan Graphics also make the Logan Dual Point Driver Elite

This improved model works with both flexible and rigid points and provides stronger downward point pressure on materials

The other fitting tools that should be considered are the Fletcher Terry range of Point Drivers

Fletcher-Terry 07-500 Fletcher Frame Master Point Driver for driving rigid framer’s points and the FlexiMaster Point Driver for driving Flexi-points

Glass Cutters

If you are going to trim your own glass then you need a reliable glass cutter.

The Japanese made TOYO brand of oil filled cutters are reliable and keep their edge for years.
Toyo Pistol Grip Glass Cutter

TOYO Original Supercutter Metal Handle

There are many other associated tools like a good hammer, pair of pliers, wire-cutters, electric screwdriver or drill that you would use when making picture frames.

If you watch some of my training videos at pictureframeclass.com you will see the various tools I use regularly.

There is one DVD I have that is called Picture Frame Hand Tools that takes you on a guided tour of the hand tools I use in my workshop

Up next we look at consumables.

Picture Framing Consumables

Mouldings

I would suggest approaching your local framing shop or hardware store to see what they have available.

There are numerous wholesale picture framing suppliers like Larson Juhl for example who have catalogues of their products on their websites.

If you are in Australia and you would like to buy lengths of moulding we have some available at Fix-a-Frame in Brisbane

We also offer a chop service for people wanting to buy pre-cut lengths that are ready to assemble.

Mat Boards

I always choose to use an acid-free whitecore mat for general type non-conservation work and for archival framing I recommend the Crescent Rag boards, Peterboro Conservation range or Alpharag, Alphamat by Nielsen & Bainbridge

The major mat board manufacturers and suppliers are

Nielsen & Bainbridge

Crescent Cardboard Company

James Cropper

Peterboro Matboards

In Australia you can buy full sheets and cut to size mat boards here.

Backing Boards

Picture framers use a wide variety of backing materials but the most common light-weight material of choice is foam board or foam core board.

Most picture framers can help you with small pieces or sheets of foam board but if you are located in Australia you can buy foamboard from foamboards.com.au

Glazing Material

The common choice for basic picture framing is 2mm clear float glass.
The custom picture framing industry is changing however with a far greater awareness of conservation framing glass that is available.

Tru-Vue is a glass processor who has a range of UV filtering glass products including the near invisible Museum Anti-Reflective Glass.

If you are shipping your artwork or pictures it makes sense to choose an acrylic or plexiglass alternative. Tru-Vue also has anti-static and anti-reflective acrylic available.

For most home framers the best advice is to purchase your glass cut to size from your local frameshop or glazier.

Sundries

You will need a variety of sundry items.

Tapes

Double-sidedtape

I like the Kikisui Hand Applied tapes or if you are using an ATG gun I prefer the Scotch ATG 700 Adhesive Applicator combined with the 3M 924 tape or 3M 969 ATG tape.

Hinging tapes

To hinge artwork to mat boards and backing you need a reliable acid-free archival tape preferably with a reversible adhesive so you can remove the item later without causing any harm.

The Neschen range of tapes like the P90 or P90 Plus are good as is the Lineco range of Framer’s tapes.

For general hinging use Lineco Abaca Self Adhesive Tape or the Lineco Hayaku Japanese Hinging Tape

The Lineco Self Adhesive Linen Hinging Tape is good for hinging heavier works

Framer’s Backing Tapes

The traditional way of sealing the back of a frame was with Brown Kraft Paper or by using Brown Kraft Tape to seal the frame to the backing.

This sealing is important because it provides re-inforcement and strength to the finished frame and it prevents insects and dust entering the completed frame.

Specialty tapes has a good Brown Gummed tape