Noob looking for advice about picture frames

Just my $0.02 as a fellow noob. I think you’ll get more out of the experience of woodworking and frame making by buying good tools individually, and learning how to do this stuff yourself. You could probably get some top-notch tools and material for half that amount, easily. A kit is fine but takes away from the learning and enjoyment of doing it yourself, in my opinion.

I don’t know about books or DVDs, but I’d recommend one good saw (I’d go for a dozuki, which is a Japanese pull saw) and a good combination square (Starrett is the top of the line, you can probably get one off of eBay for $50 or less) for marking your angled cuts for the miters.

I’d also recommend you make a shooting board with a 45-degree option so you can plane your miter joints for a precision fit.

Umm…that’s all I can think of for now. Have fun!

P.S. Oh yes, you’ll need some sort of clamping system, which you might be able to buy quite easliy (or make yourself).

-- Eric at http://adventuresinwoodworking.com

I think this kit is quite expensive for what it is. Even the sander is operated by hand via a small crank handle. Look for a Woodcraft store and take a class. Picture frames can get very involved. There are edges, and rabbits and inside shapes, the list can go on and on. I also spend some time at the library looking at different woodworking books to learn different aspects. If you only want to make picture frames it could be accomplished by purchasing picture frame molding, some sandpaper and a hand combination saw. The total purchase would be around $50.

I understand not wanting to spend a bunch of money on stuff you don’t need. I also get a magazine called Popular woodworking. Check out the ‘I can do that’ project. Most of my projects have be made from Wood magazine. These also have a E-Mag. Check out those sites. Also http://thewoodwhisperer.com/ Very good stuff there, and the question of the week has to do with new woodworkers.

In short (finally), the local Library, the local Woodcraft for lessons, the Wood Whisperer and some e-mags.
I hope some of this helped, and be careful of expensive cheap looking kits.

-- Berta in NC

You can make some nice frames with”regular” shop tools , if you are already set up. If I were to spend money, it would be on a mat cutting system. My 2 cents.

-- Pat, Colorado

The majority of the cost in that kit is probably the miter saw. This type is supposed to give you very accurate miters, but I’d say it is too big an investment to begin with. I started off making picture frames with a $10 back saw and a $5 miter box, and it worked out fine.

It’s all a matter of personal choice. I just think that’s a very specialized sort of tool to tie up that much money in. I also agree with Pat. Having mats custom cut is a big expense, so spend some of that money on a mat cutter.

-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"

The first thing you need to do is take a picture framing class if you have not already done so. These are available at Woodcraft, local framing shops and through adult eduction programs in your area. But I agree with Betsy, Pat and Berta in that, if you already have some shop equipment such as a miter saw or table saw, use this instead of the Logan Pro Saw. I would, as Pat says, invest in a good quality mat cutter. I got a new Logan 650 off Ebay for $230 and it retails for around $450. You have to be patient but these come up frequently on Ebay.

As far as books go to your local library. There should be several books on framing available.

Other pieces of equipment that you will need are a point driver, I would recommend the Fletcher professional Multimaster driver, glass pliers and an ATG tape dispenser.

You will need other supplies such as hangers, wire, dust covers, matting, foamboard, bumpers, and mounting tape but you will get a better handle on these if you take a picture framing class.

Hope this helps.

-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.

Like Scott said, a class would be a good place to start.

If there are no classes in your area, go on line and search the woodworking magazine sites. Shopsmith, ShopNotes, Fine Woodworking, Popular Woodworking, Woodworkers Journal, Wood, Woodcraft are just a few that have searchable sites for information. Their articles are well written and you should be able to find information about what types of tools are needed to create the piece you are interested in. Don’t stop at the first one you find. Usually articles will take different approaches to the same end. Some may concentrate on hand tools while others use various power tools.

If picture frames are all you are planning on ever making- the suggestions made for the various tools are great! Having helped in a framing shop for awhile, I would add this piece- http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=6533&filter=picture

Lew