Framing Teacher

The pages on this website provide a summary of useful hints for each technique. For most of the stages listed on this website, I also sell the tools required for that stage. Please e-mail me at andy@andyparks.freeserve.co.uk stating which tool or kit you are interested in and I will e-mail you my address to send payment to.

Included with each piece of machinery are detailed instructions written by myself. The instructions are very comprehensive and include a step by step approach to each task. Following each step, there are a series of helpful hints designed to assist you further with each stage of the picture framing project. All of these instructions have been tried by a complete novice at picture framing and they achieved a satisfactory result with the instructions included with each package. However, I will provide my home telephone number to each buyer so that you can contact me should you have any further queries during your picture framing tasks.

Mount Cutters

This is a Jakar over mount cutter with purpose made aluminium straight edge (see photo at the top of this page). This mount cutter will cut both 45 and 90 degrees. This is a very well constructed over mount cutter which comes complete with a 60 cm or 24” straight edge which has a purpose made groove built into it to prevent ‘wandering’ off during cutting of your mount. It is also easily used by both right and left handed people. Also included in this package are three spare blades as well as the full set of instructions to guide you through mount cutting.

My students and I have found this mount cutter to be by far the easiest to use and it achieves a very good result. Included with this package is a set of instructions written by myself. They ARE NOT the instructions on the packet as they, well, just plain don't make sense! My instructions include handy hints suggested by my students during the last 9 years. These instructions include how to measure out your pictures properly before cutting your mount and how to use the Jakar mount cutter to maximum effect. Also discussed within the instructions is how to cope with the various workings out for your pictures with measurements in metric and imperial. The instructions also include a series of diagrams that will help to guide you through using the mount cutter and hence to create good quality over mounts for your picture framing projects. Other issues such as cutting a mount to fit a standard size ready made frame are also covered. These instructions have been tried by a complete novice at picture framing and they achieved a satisfactory result with the instructions included with this package. I am sure you will also be able to achieve very satisfactory over mounts as well. (P.O.A.)

Mitre Saw

This picture framing mitre saw I believe to be one of the better and economical ways for the amateur picture framer to mitre picture framing moulding (see photo of the mitre saw in the mitre saw and mitre vices kit picture at the top of this page). This is the same saw I use to demonstrate at all my picture framing classes. It is basically an upgraded hack saw on a sturdy revolving base which ‘clicks’ into the 45 degree angles needed to cut frames. The saw also has two built in clamps to hold the moulding in place during cutting. The mitre saw also includes 2 G Clamps so that the mitre saw can be portable and hence does not need to be permanently fixed to a bench.

The instructions provide a step by step approach to each stage of the frame cutting and assembly process. They also include a list of essentials before you begin and handy hints from myself and again suggestions from my students during the last 9 years. Topics covered within the instructions include how to measure out your pictures properly before cutting your frame, how much moulding you will need to buy and how to use the mitre saw to maximum effect. Also discussed within the instructions is how to cope with the various workings out for your pictures with measurements in metric and imperial. The instructions also include a series of diagrams that will help to guide you through using the mitre saw and hence create good quality frames for your picture framing projects. Other issues such as choice of materials and how to create hand finished mouldings are covered as well. (P.O.A.)

Mitre Vices by the pair.

The mitre vices are the best way to securely assemble a picture frame for the amateur picture framer (see photo of the two right-angled vices in the mitre saw and mitre vices kit picture at the top of this page). This utilises both glue and nails to hold the corner or mitre together. The vice will take mouldings up to 2” wide. These mitre vices can be screwed to a bench for best results. You may see other systems for joining frames, such as band clamps, but these only hold the frame in place while glue would dry. What happens if the glue fails? The frame falls apart. Picture frames can be underpinned but these machines cost a lot more than these mitre vices. They are sold in two’s because you only need two.

These instructions cover the necessary items you will need to complete this stage as well as discussing what the best type of nails and glues are to use. Diagrams include where to position the nails and how best to position your mitre perfectly before nailing the corner. They also discuss how best to get around any mis-alignment of the frames (!). (P.O.A.)

Combination Kits

I am aware that the above items for sale may want to be used together. Therefore if you would like to buy two or more of the above items together, these are the kits and the prices including packing and postage. As a bonus for any kit deals, you will also receive instructions on how to fit pictures successfully into the picture frames. These follow the same format as the rest of the instructions but cover such issues as how best to clean the glass, cut the backing and how to finish off the backs of your picture frames and hang them on the wall.

Mitre Saw and Mitre Vices kit

Everything included above under ‘Mitre Saw’ and ‘Mitre Vices’ sections. A very useful kit for cutting and assembling your frames. (P.O.A.)

Complete Kit.

This includes the mount cutter, the mitre saw, the 2 G clamps and the 2 mitre vices. Everything you need to begin. (P.O.A.)

My terms are very simple in that the goods are despatched as soon as your payment clears. If you have any problems which cannot be resolved, a full refund is available. If you have any other question, please do e-mail me on andy@andyparks.freeserve.co.uk and I will help you out from there.

Thanks for visiting my site and good luck with your picture framing projects!