Custom Picture Frames

[Mike DeRegnaucourt]

Hello,

Does anyone know of a supplier of picture frames which have a wood "skin" over them on which you can cut out your own custom shapes? I know Colorado Heirloom carry such frames but would like to look at what other suppliers have to offer.

Here's an example from Epilog's Site of what I am referring to:

[Mike Null]

Mike

I'd consider making my own using some of George Perzel's 1/8" wood thins as the surface.

http://www.laserarts.net/

[Anthony Welch]

Mike, I sit here everyday trying to think of away to do something cheaper, but still offer decent quality, so my customers can afford items like this. Very good idea. Thanks!

[Mike DeRegnaucourt]

Mike & Anthony,

I totally agree...the cost being charged for these frames makes it tough to make a decent profit. Like Mike said, it probably will come down to making them myself. I might be able to find some inexpensive regular frames and "skin" them myself in order to cut down on some of the manufacturing time of constructing the basic frame. Just seems that such an item would be available from more than one supplier in a ready-to-engrave form.

[Mike DeRegnaucourt]

Hi Mike,

I had contacted George a little while back about some of his wood thins. I looked back at the info George had sent me and he only offered widths of 5.75" in lengths of 12" or 24". The lengths are not an issue, it is the 5.75" width that would not suffice for the larger picture frames. The only way I could see around this would be to edge glue the sheets. This would produce an undesireable "line" between the panels.

Do you know of any other suppliers that have wood thin widths large enough for say an 8" x 10" picture frame?

[Ray Mighells]

The glue line is not an issue if you match the grain and make a good edge to join the pieces.. It is however a little time consuming to prepare and glue up panels. Personaly I don't mind because I have the time and more importantly, all the necessary equipment. George has great wood and it can easily be glued together for 1/4" thickness. I'm attaching a very simple mitreless frame you can resize any way you like without a full shop. You can cut the parts on your laser and assemble with spring clamps.

[George Elston]

Try contacting http://www.galleryhardwoods.com/craftwoods.htm#scroll , they have widths up to 12". Had another supplier also but can't find the reference. Will post when I do. You might try googleing basswood AND thin. Found the other supplier, they have widths up to 12", http://www.nationalbalsa.com/basswood.htm

[Mike DeRegnaucourt]

George has great wood and it can easily be glued together for 1/4" thickness. I'm attaching a very simple mitreless frame you can resize any way you like without a full shop. You can cut the parts on your laser and assemble with spring clamps.

Hi Ray...The 1/8" thickness would be fine, I would not need to glue them together to create a 1/4" thickness. I totally believe George's wood thins are excellent...I've only heard great things about them on SMC.

Thank you for the mitreless frame file. It is greatly appreciated! Is the idea to have the corner "blocks" a tad wider than the rails and stiles? I might adjust the glue-up of them to be flush on the outside edges so that the edge of the frame has a consistent flow. Do you typically use mortise and tenon joints at the corners for increased strength or do you just use glued butt joints? I'm just not sure about the strength of gluing to end grain. However, the more I think about it, that is probably not necessary since the wood "skin" would make everything more structurally rigid.

Thanks for the ideas.

[Mike DeRegnaucourt]

Try contacting http://www.galleryhardwoods.com/craftwoods.htm#scroll , they have widths up to 12". Had another supplier also but can't find the reference. Will post when I do. You might try googleing basswood AND thin. Found the other supplier, they have widths up to 12", http://www.nationalbalsa.com/basswood.htm

Thanks George! I sent an email to Gallery Hardwoods for a price quote. The Basswood or Ply sheets from National Balsa would probably make an excellent alternative to use for the picture frame "skins".

[Ray Mighells]

You got it. You only need to make a neat fit as the backer will hold it. There isn't a lot of stress on a small frame and you can make any substitution you like. You can make the corners round and cut the matching radius on the stiles and rails, or even put a jig saw locking joint on the corners. You are free to do anything you want. Regarding the 1/4" material, I just like the additional heft.

[Mike DeRegnaucourt]

Try contacting http://www.galleryhardwoods.com/craftwoods.htm#scroll , they have widths up to 12".

George...I just received an email back from Gallery Hardwoods (Larry Davis) and he said that he no longer cuts thin woods.

[Mike Null]

I'm quite sure they were glued up anyway. I have seen very little 12" wide stock in less than 4/4.

Moslow Bros. will make what you want but not in small quantities.