Photographer friend needs picture framing wood; looking for resources

There are probably some Lumbejocks that could make picture frames for him as well. There are a few up in Oregon, so they might be available.

-- Bill, Turlock California, http://www.brookswoodworks.com

yeah, I may offer, but have not done much in this space. What I mean here is that frames I’ve done in the past have been rather one-dimensional. In searching the forum, I see that Obi had done this a while back.

-- MikeB, Aurora, Oregon

http://www.framingsupplies.com/

try this site … I use them for some supplies.

hope it helps
Chris

Frames are relatively easy and need not come from Oregon!!!! If you friend is at all handy, the frame elements can be machined and mailed to him, prefinished. Then with a little assembly effort, he will have a frame. I have been using a plastic form of a joint dog to assemble frames and they work great. Just a little glue on the joints and tap them in.

Ed

-- Come on in, the beer is cold and the wood is dry. www.crookedlittletree.com

We have a business down here that caters to framers.
http://www.southernmoulding.com/
You may find something like that in your area although Southern sells nationwide.
If you have a Dick Blick or other art store nearby that is also a good source.
Some of the framing stock is REALLY expensive. I often go look at their rejects – where they made a frame and weren’t satisfied with it or wrong size or whatever. I can often find one that is just right for me but a little large and I can cut it down where what they thought was a flaw is gone. About 10% of the new cost.

-- No piece is cut too short. It was meant for a smaller project.

That is true Ed. I am working on a couple of frames now. Since these are only my first attempts, they are not the quality for Mike’s artist friend. Hopefully they will be someday.Maybe I can catch one of his next paintings.

-- Bill, Turlock California, http://www.brookswoodworks.com

manta, I’ll check that out.

edp, I like your signature on the beer, my kind of guy. However, I’m a handy guy and the exclamation points after “Oregon” make me want to take this one on. Though I’m not a native Oregonian, I feel a sense of pride here. Besides, I might get some new equipment out of the venture! :)

Sawdust, no Dick Blick here. But I’ll check out the link

Bill, we all sell ourselves short, I bet your frames are great!

Thanks everyone!

-- MikeB, Aurora, Oregon

I recommend buying a book about picture frames to help you out. I bought two, and have read one so far. I notice that most of these books spend their time discussing and showing a great deal about matting boards, cutting, mounting, etc. but little time on the frames themselves. But they do have a few ideas.

I think it would be easy to make simple frames with what you have available. If you do not want to do the miter cuts, then simple butt joints could work too. Half laps could also work, and you could leave the frames extra size to get a more arts and crafts design.

I think the more difficult part is to make an attractive design on the frame itself. I have not found that right combination yet of router bits and such to make an attractive moulding. When I get done with my latest frame, I will post some pictures for everyone to critique. I find the Lumberjocks give me lots of ideas for future improvements.

Let us know how this goes Mike. I say you should build the frame for your friend and see what happens. Never know, you might be in the framing business soon, picture frames that is.

-- Bill, Turlock California, http://www.brookswoodworks.com