High End Picture Framing Tools
Making your own picture frame allows a lot of freedom because not only can you choose the size and shape, but you can also choose the style, the wood and the color. Making picture frames is not that difficult, as it is simply putting together four pieces of wood. Having the right tools, however, makes it even easier to accomplish. Choosing the best quality brand for each tool is just as important as choosing the type of wood or what goes in the frame. Does this Spark an idea?
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Miter Saws
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You can use a regular handsaw if you measure and cut the wood on an angle, but a single or dual compound miter saw and box make cutting frame pieces much easier. A miter box holds the wood pieces in place while they are cut, ideal for frame pieces. Also, the miter saw stands on its own, allowing you to use your hands.
According to Wize.com, the best handsaws are Shark Helmet Pull Stroke, Sabre Tooth Pull Saw and Stanley Proto 20-045. John Cupp, from Duckworks Magazine, tested several miter saws. He recommends Ryobi 1551DXL, Delta 36-412, DeWalt DW708 and Rigid Compound 12" Sliding Miter Saw.
Frame Clamps
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After gluing the corners of your frame, you need clamps to hold them in place while they dry. Clamps are also used to hold the frame while you are inserting v-nails into the corners. You can use a separate miter vise for each corner or a four-sided clamp that holds the entire frame. There are many brands available, but the best professional clamps will be made of cast iron, aluminum or steel, have locks between 0 and 90 degrees, accommodate large frames and have self-squaring features.
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Rabbet
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In order to make a rabbet -- the channel in the back of the frame that holds the glass, matting and picture -- you need a wood router with a rabbeting bit. According to Consumer Search, the best table routers are Bosch 1619EVS, Milwaukee Body Grip and Sears Craftsman 17543, as well as their corresponding rabbet bits.
Glass and Acrylic Cutters
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When cutting glass or acrylic for the front of your picture, you'ill need either a hand cutter or a wall cutter. Fletcher and Toyo are the most recommended brands in the framing industry. Both companies have made framing tools and have dependable products.
Some of the best types available to framers are Toyo Pistol Grip Glass Cutter, the Fletcher Ball End Wheel Cutter and Fletcher Plastic and Formica Cutter. The best large cutters are Fletcher Glass and Plastic Cutting Machine for a wall and Foster's Keencut SteelTrak. Both machines cut glass and acrylic.
Point Drivers
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Points or glazier points hold everything inside the picture frame. Using a dual-driving point driver allows you to use flexible and permanent points. Both types have pros and cons. Flexible points allow for easy removal, but tend to fall out if bent too often. Permanent points hold the picture in better, but have to be replaced if removed.
Fletcher and Logan are the most recommended brand by framers. Logan F500-1 Dual Point Driver is the best dual-point machine and Fletcher makes the Frame Master Point Driver, which is for permanent and FlexiMaster, which is for flexible points. "Of all the machines I have used, I prefer Fletcher brand because of its precision," says Tiffany Marzec, Framing Department Manager at the Crystal Lake, Illinois, Hobby Lobby.
Cordless Screwdrivers
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Cordless screwdrivers make the screwing of picture hangers go much faster. Popular Mechanics magazine tested nine cordless drills, ranking Hitachi DB3DL, Makita TD020D, Rigid R81030 and DeWalt DW928 as the best.
Mat Cutters
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Professional framers use computerized mat cutting machines, such as the Wizard CMC lines. For handheld cutters, you want one with a beveled, replaceable blade, with pivot and pull functions and simple depth adjustments.
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References
- Photo Credit picture frame corner image by Jim Mills from Fotolia.com
