Need help with picture framing/mat cutting choice

[Brian Austin]

It's time to make the Christmas list up for SWMBO. I was thinking of getting some of my many photos up and on the wall but nearly went into cardiac arrest after seeing the prices they want for picture framing nowadays. I thought it would be nice to use up some scrap wood and combine two hobbies.

I'd like to cut my own mats and frame my pictures (up to 11x14). Any ideas on choices for mat cutting systems? What about picture framing books, tools, etc.? I haven't done anything like this before. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

[John Miliunas]

Brian, been there, done that, still working on the T-shirt!:) Check out this thread and I believe you'll find most all the info you're looking for!!!
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=19931
Both, Dan Forman and Andy London are fantastic sources for anything involved with framing and mats. Seems lots of other guys have done it to some degree or other, as well. Take a few minutes and go through the thread!:) :cool:

[Dan Forman]

Brian, been there, done that, still working on the T-shirt!:) Check out this thread and I believe you'll find most all the info you're looking for!!!
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=19931


If, after reading that, you have any questions feel free to ask away.

Dan

[lou sansone]

hi brian
for matts and glass the "logan" stuff works great. they make a system that will run about 300 and it really does a great job on both matt cutting and glass cutting. You can use a real good chop saw for miters or if you are real serious you can get a "moroso chopper", which I am probably spelling wrong. As far as joining the wood together the best is a v nailer by pistorus, but they are real expensive. a miter vise is very handy as well

lou

[Lee DeRaud]

I've got the Logan 30" matte cutter, about $90 at Aaron Brothers IIRC. A 32x40 sheet of matte board goes for $10-12 retail, about half that in any decent quantity online.

I don't mess with cutting glass, though: the local framing services do that at a reasonable price. For standard sizes, pre-cut chunks of acrylic are available online, although it's relatively easy to cut and a lot lighter than glass. The non-glare stuff works pretty well for difficult locations.

I don't have a recommendation (yet) for a particular online source, but http://ga.ematboard.net/ is a quick central meta-site with links to a bunch of vendors.