New tools from the holidays, showing off your work and hanging heavy stuff.

Volume #5 2.3.15

In this issue:

1. Tip of the month

2. Invitation to show off your work

3. Question from the gallery

Hopefully the holidays delivered a new tool to your workshop and you're excited again to make things. It's funny how getting a new tool can spark enthusiasm and the desire to get in the workshop.

If you got something that has helped you become better at making picture frames, let me know. I'd love to feature it (and you) in an upcoming newsletter!

I got two new tools in December, not as gifts, but they brought the same excitement as if they were! I will talk about one of them in this issue and how it has helped me with making better frames.

Tip of the Month

My old single speed Porter Cable 690 spun at 27,000 rpm every time I used it. Small bits or large bits. Many times the vibration caused by this speed resulted in chatter marks and burning in the molding if I hesitated at all.

I've ruined a lot of molding this way (it's hard to remove chatter marks from the more decorative profiles that can't be sanded easily after routing).

It finally burned out this past December and I upgraded to a variable speed version - the Porter Cable 892.
Being able to slow the speed down (I actually cut it by more than half the rpm!) has resulted in very smooth molding, no burning at all and maybe, best of all; no wasted wood otherwise called money!

If you have a variable speed router, test to see how low you can go with the speed to achieve better results.

If you don't have a variable speed router, do some more research on them and consider getting one if possible. If your budget won't allow it right now why not try and sell a few frames to pay for it!

Being able to lower the speed can make you a better picture frame maker AND it also helps making the larger, more decorative profile bits safer to use.

Invitation to show off your work

You can upload pictures and tell a little bit about them. My hope is that people will start posting their successes and help others not only build confidence but get and share ideas.

I will send all newsletter subscribers an invitation through Pinterest, this week. If you accept, Pinterest will give you the permission settings needed allowing you to post whenever and as often as you like. You can also comment on others' pics and ideas.

If you prefer not to post anything, no problem, just decline the invitation.

For those who don't use Pinterest, check it out - its a great place to get ideas and learn about anything you can imagine.

Sign up for Pinterest here

Questions from the Gallery

I have always loved the french cleat. I believe it's the best way to hang heavy frames (and mirrors and just about anything else). I recommended it to her and anyone else who needs to hang heavy frames.

They come in many sizes, holding anything from 50 pounds to over 300 pounds. You can read more about them and find links to buy them on this page of my website.

I make a small commission on ANYTHING you buy from Amazon.com after clicking the link to my store or by clicking on any Amazon banners on my website and then buying stuff.

Sooooo, if you plan to buy on-line.... I would really appreciate it!! Visit my Amazon Store here

Until the next time, remember every picture is worth a thousand words - and a frame to hold it!

take care Al

Go to Picture-frame-it-yourself.com