Mr. B
Loc: eastern Connecticut
zarathu wrote:
OK.... I’m a reasonable woodworker with a wood shop. Normally I don’t sell photos but the MDI Photo Club had a show at Birch Bay(retirement community), and at the show somebody wanted to buy one of my 13 x 19 inch photos.
And so, since it was for someone else, Murphy got involved.
First thing I discovered was that my router would not do the job, too much wood to remove.
Then, I discovered that simple cutting the inside with my table saw did not work. I need a dado blade.
Then I discovered that my old table would break the RSV fence off when the bolt glued itself on by rust.
Then I discovered that I needed to cut to the new blade insert.
Then I discovered that I could not glue up the frame without putting a template on the inside where the glass goes to glue the frame against against or it becomes a RHOMBUS, and one side will not be parallel.
And then I discovered that the hardware store will not cut the glass if it's not square.
And then I discovered that if you use gel stain on the wood instead of strictly water based or oil based, it will form a thick solid top if its not sealed tightly (which is hard to do with gel anyhow)and you can’t get the stain out.
And then, I discovered that if you fall on the ice and need six stitches in your head, you will also break the glass and damage the print and get blood over everything.
And then I discovered that the device that puts the little slips of metal to hold the backing on will break the glass AGAIN if you use it wrong.
And then I discovered that mat board is horribly expensive on Amazon, and that I could cut plastic decking to fit, but that it was almost as expensive as mat board.
And then i discovered mat board for 7.50 each.
And then after ordering 15 pieces for $112, that I HAD GIVEN them the wrong inside diameter, and of course thye would not take them back since it was my error.
And then I order new mat board, with a coupon for $101.
And then I discovered that I COULD NOT FIND a way to put the paper backing on, and so the inside of the frame now needs to be stained when it was not before. Along with this I discovered that it's not a good idea to use a staple gun because unless each one is perpendicular and in the middle it will spit the wood on the outside.
I DID DISCO0VER the nice lady who has been waiting at least a week so far longer than I agreed, is not upset, but does need it by Xmas.
She paid $150. But I have already spent close to $300 to make this one frame.
Of course now I know what not to do.
OK.... I’m a reasonable woodworker with a wood sho... (
show quote)
Sometimes Murphy is a cruel teacher. And you got the whole enchilada! A crash course in practical photo framing.
JoAnn Fabrics...has tons of premade frames
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
zarathu wrote:
OK.... I’m a reasonable woodworker with a wood shop. Normally I don’t sell photos but the MDI Photo Club had a show at Birch Bay(retirement community), and at the show somebody wanted to buy one of my 13 x 19 inch photos.
And so, since it was for someone else, Murphy got involved.
First thing I discovered was that my router would not do the job, too much wood to remove.
Then, I discovered that simple cutting the inside with my table saw did not work. I need a dado blade.
Then I discovered that my old table would break the RSV fence off when the bolt glued itself on by rust.
Then I discovered that I needed to cut to the new blade insert.
Then I discovered that I could not glue up the frame without putting a template on the inside where the glass goes to glue the frame against against or it becomes a RHOMBUS, and one side will not be parallel.
And then I discovered that the hardware store will not cut the glass if it's not square.
And then I discovered that if you use gel stain on the wood instead of strictly water based or oil based, it will form a thick solid top if its not sealed tightly (which is hard to do with gel anyhow)and you can’t get the stain out.
And then, I discovered that if you fall on the ice and need six stitches in your head, you will also break the glass and damage the print and get blood over everything.
And then I discovered that the device that puts the little slips of metal to hold the backing on will break the glass AGAIN if you use it wrong.
And then I discovered that mat board is horribly expensive on Amazon, and that I could cut plastic decking to fit, but that it was almost as expensive as mat board.
And then i discovered mat board for 7.50 each.
And then after ordering 15 pieces for $112, that I HAD GIVEN them the wrong inside diameter, and of course thye would not take them back since it was my error.
And then I order new mat board, with a coupon for $101.
And then I discovered that I COULD NOT FIND a way to put the paper backing on, and so the inside of the frame now needs to be stained when it was not before. Along with this I discovered that it's not a good idea to use a staple gun because unless each one is perpendicular and in the middle it will spit the wood on the outside.
I DID DISCO0VER the nice lady who has been waiting at least a week so far longer than I agreed, is not upset, but does need it by Xmas.
She paid $150. But I have already spent close to $300 to make this one frame.
Of course now I know what not to do.
OK.... I’m a reasonable woodworker with a wood sho... (
show quote)
I get my frames from The Frame Depot in Hermitage Pa. I get a discount because I get so many frames. My wife and he chatter about what colors the mats should be, he has 1000's of them to choose from, and 100's of frame styles.
I leave off my print, take my wife out to dinner, go home, he calls me in a couples of days and I go and pick up my finished mounted frame. I then take it to the Gatehouse Winery in Jamestown Pa. and put it up on the wall for sale.
Smaller prints like a 8X12, 5X7, or 4X6 require ordering from Amazon, they come double matted behind a peel off plexiglass. These frames run me about $7.00 each in groups of four.
In other words, it may be easier to leave framing to the professional.
Good luck and keep on shooting until the end.
Measure twice. Cut once. My shop motto. Murphy shows up and I discover I was using the metric side of the ruler to mark the wood but measured with the imperial side. Better to cut long than short. By the time all the "Oopsies" are repaired, the cost of the project is doubled and it doesn't match the original sketch/plan but it is usually functional and stout. Murphy being the good Irishman that he is, likes things stout.
And then they couldn't afford the prices you had to charge. Sad but I had to chuckle.
zarathu wrote:
OK.... I’m a reasonable woodworker with a wood shop. Normally I don’t sell photos but the MDI Photo Club had a show at Birch Bay(retirement community), and at the show somebody wanted to buy one of my 13 x 19 inch photos.
And so, since it was for someone else, Murphy got involved.
First thing I discovered was that my router would not do the job, too much wood to remove.
Then, I discovered that simple cutting the inside with my table saw did not work. I need a dado blade.
Then I discovered that my old table would break the RSV fence off when the bolt glued itself on by rust.
Then I discovered that I needed to cut to the new blade insert.
Then I discovered that I could not glue up the frame without putting a template on the inside where the glass goes to glue the frame against against or it becomes a RHOMBUS, and one side will not be parallel.
And then I discovered that the hardware store will not cut the glass if it's not square.
And then I discovered that if you use gel stain on the wood instead of strictly water based or oil based, it will form a thick solid top if its not sealed tightly (which is hard to do with gel anyhow)and you can’t get the stain out.
And then, I discovered that if you fall on the ice and need six stitches in your head, you will also break the glass and damage the print and get blood over everything.
And then I discovered that the device that puts the little slips of metal to hold the backing on will break the glass AGAIN if you use it wrong.
And then I discovered that mat board is horribly expensive on Amazon, and that I could cut plastic decking to fit, but that it was almost as expensive as mat board.
And then i discovered mat board for 7.50 each.
And then after ordering 15 pieces for $112, that I HAD GIVEN them the wrong inside diameter, and of course thye would not take them back since it was my error.
And then I order new mat board, with a coupon for $101.
And then I discovered that I COULD NOT FIND a way to put the paper backing on, and so the inside of the frame now needs to be stained when it was not before. Along with this I discovered that it's not a good idea to use a staple gun because unless each one is perpendicular and in the middle it will spit the wood on the outside.
I DID DISCO0VER the nice lady who has been waiting at least a week so far longer than I agreed, is not upset, but does need it by Xmas.
She paid $150. But I have already spent close to $300 to make this one frame.
Of course now I know what not to do.
OK.... I’m a reasonable woodworker with a wood sho... (
show quote)
Hope your hand heals ok. I guess you have to sell at least one more, sounds like two to break even at least. Good news is your photography is good enough that someone wants to purchase it, Glass half full! Happy holidays!
I suppose you charged all your mistakes on Discover??
zarathu wrote:
OK.... I’m a reasonable woodworker with a wood shop. Normally I don’t sell photos but the MDI Photo Club had a show at Birch Bay(retirement community), and at the show somebody wanted to buy one of my 13 x 19 inch photos.
And so, since it was for someone else, Murphy got involved.
First thing I discovered was that my router would not do the job, too much wood to remove.
Then, I discovered that simple cutting the inside with my table saw did not work. I need a dado blade.
Then I discovered that my old table would break the RSV fence off when the bolt glued itself on by rust.
Then I discovered that I needed to cut to the new blade insert.
Then I discovered that I could not glue up the frame without putting a template on the inside where the glass goes to glue the frame against against or it becomes a RHOMBUS, and one side will not be parallel.
And then I discovered that the hardware store will not cut the glass if it's not square.
And then I discovered that if you use gel stain on the wood instead of strictly water based or oil based, it will form a thick solid top if its not sealed tightly (which is hard to do with gel anyhow)and you can’t get the stain out.
And then, I discovered that if you fall on the ice and need six stitches in your head, you will also break the glass and damage the print and get blood over everything.
And then I discovered that the device that puts the little slips of metal to hold the backing on will break the glass AGAIN if you use it wrong.
And then I discovered that mat board is horribly expensive on Amazon, and that I could cut plastic decking to fit, but that it was almost as expensive as mat board.
And then i discovered mat board for 7.50 each.
And then after ordering 15 pieces for $112, that I HAD GIVEN them the wrong inside diameter, and of course thye would not take them back since it was my error.
And then I order new mat board, with a coupon for $101.
And then I discovered that I COULD NOT FIND a way to put the paper backing on, and so the inside of the frame now needs to be stained when it was not before. Along with this I discovered that it's not a good idea to use a staple gun because unless each one is perpendicular and in the middle it will spit the wood on the outside.
I DID DISCO0VER the nice lady who has been waiting at least a week so far longer than I agreed, is not upset, but does need it by Xmas.
She paid $150. But I have already spent close to $300 to make this one frame.
Of course now I know what not to do.
OK.... I’m a reasonable woodworker with a wood sho... (
show quote)
I'm not good with woodworking as I've aged and even then I only was able to do things that were functionally useable but not pretty or nice looking for anyone else. The only craft or artistic skill I have is Photography. So when I have wanted or needed frames I would buy them already made or metal ones that can be custom assembled. Because I have had limited wall space in all my homes I generally print to a fairly small size, 8x12" or 8x10" image on 11x14" paper and mat and frame to those specs. Occasionally I have done larger for a gift to someone or if required to make a 16x20" or some other large size for a class I have usually just given the print away and made a smaller one for myself to keep.
So funny. And so true! I've done every one of those, but not all on the same frame! I've sworn off Hobby Lobby frames except for the barnwood ones. The others develop dings and it's not wood underneath! I did find a 13x19 frame at Michael's. Not a lot of variety, but they do have them. When I print on metallic paper, I don't put it under glass. I just frame the piece flush.
Real Nikon Lover said: "Measure twice. Cut once."
No, no, no x 1000 no. Cut once, screw up, cut a second time.
Memory attended a safety talk from the safety officer of Duke Power. The index finger was only half there. End of talk he explained that when cutting scrap he took one too many cuts his index finger steadied the wood as it zinged thru the blade. He was careful with his hands during actual projects... scrap was not a project.
Tea8
Loc: Where the wind comes sweeping down the plain.
You know, Michael's often does 70% off on custom framing. You might have come out better on this deal taking it to them. Like you said, at least you know what not to do next time.
This may NOT be “Murphy’s Law;” it’s probably the lesser-known “Peter’s Law,” which is “Murphy was an optimist!”🧐
One thing I discovered about making frames is that you need a lot more wood than you think you'll need. Those first attempts will not be quite right.
Real Nikon Lover wrote:
Measure twice. Cut once. My shop motto. Murphy shows up and I discover I was using the metric side of the ruler to mark the wood but measured with the imperial side. Better to cut long than short. By the time all the "Oopsies" are repaired, the cost of the project is doubled and it doesn't match the original sketch/plan but it is usually functional and stout. Murphy being the good Irishman that he is, likes things stout.
Best post I've read in a long, long time.Thanks
___
I use a project as justification for buying new tools. 😁
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