Oberrecht - Home Book of Picture Framing

Home Book of

PICTURE
FRAMING

2nd Edition

Professional secrets of mounting, matting, framing,
and displaying artwork, photographs, posters,
fabrics, collectibles, carvings, and more

KENN OBERRECHT

STACKPOLE
BOOKS

Copyright 1988, 1998 by Kenn Oberrecht

Published by
STACKPOLE BOOKS
5067 Ritter Road
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. All inquiries should be addressed to Stackpole Books, 5067 Ritter Road, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania 17055.

Printed in the United States of America

10

Cover design by Wendy A. Reynolds

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Oberrecht, Kenn.

Home book of picture framing: professional secrets of mounting, matting, framing, and displaying artwork, photographs, posters, fabrics, collectibles, carvings, and more/Kenn Oberrecht. 2nd ed.
p. cm.
Includes index.
ISBN 0-8117-2793-9
1. Picture frames and framing. I. Title.

N8550.024 1998
749.7dc21

97-50142
CIP

ISBN 978-0-8117-2793-8

For my old friend Sam Fadala

CONTENTS

Common sense can go a long way toward keeping you out of harms way. Remember to handle tools and materials carefully and cautiously. Whether youre a beginner or veteran craftsman, you would do well to read the following tips now and review them from time to time.

1. Store matting, framing, and woodworking tools out of the reach of children, and keep children out of your work area unless youre teaching them how to frame pictures. The first framing lesson for any youngster should be one on safety.

2. When you finish using any framing tools and materials, put them away. Keep your work area free of clutter.

3. When sawing, drilling, cutting, and performing other operations, whenever possible, secure work pieces to a solid surface with clamps or a vise. This tactic not only allows you to use tools safely but also reduces the chances of errors while increasing accuracy.

4. Keep saw and knife blades, bits, and other cutting and drilling instruments clean and sharp. Any residue buildup will dull tools, and dull cutting and boring tools are dangerous. Moreover, dull bits and blades put unnecessary strain on power-tool motors.

5. Blades used in mat cutters, utility knives, and other matting and framing tools require special handling. When theyre dulled and need replacing, dont discard them as you would other trash. Keep used blades in a covered jar or can. When the container is full, discard it.

6. Before operating new tools for matting, mounting, framing, and woodworking, read the instructions that come with them. Review the instructions periodically to make sure you dont develop any bad habits. Before setting to work with any new tool, practice with it on scrap material until you develop a comfortable feel for the tool.

7. When working with power tools and hammers, always wear some sort of goggles or safety glasses. Select protective eyewear thats comfortable, and you will be more inclined to use it when you should.

8. Some noisy power tools can permanently damage your hearing. When using such tools, wear approved ear protectors, available at most hardware stores and gun shops.

9. When working with abrasives, sanders, and other tools that create dust, wear a dust mask. If you suffer from any kind of respiratory ailment, consult a physician about the type of mask you should wear for maximum protection.

10. When handling glass, be careful to avoid the sharp edges and corners that can cause serious injuries. Whenever possible, wear heavy leather work gloves or use rags folded into several layers for grasping the glass near the edges.

11. When working with solvents, adhesives, and chemicals that can cause damage to your skin, always wear rubber or chemical-proof plastic gloves.

12. Lacquers, thinners, cleaners, solvents, and adhesives that produce toxic, flammable, or explosive fumes should be used only in a well-ventilated area, away from sources of heat or open flame. Do not use power tools around any flammable or explosive substances, as fumes might be ignited by electrical arc when the tool is switched on.

13. Read labels on all materials used in the framing process. Pay special attention to bold CAUTION and WARNING notices. When in doubt about the safe handling of any material, phone or write the manufacturer for instructions.

14. Make sure power tools are switched off before you plug them in. Always disconnect power-tool plugs before changing bits or blades or making adjustments. At the end of any work session, unplug all power tools.

15. Power tools must be properly grounded. If a tool is equipped with a three-conductor cord and three-prong plug, make sure the outlet is a proper, grounding-type receptacle. And use only the appropriate and approved extension cords with such tools.

16. Before operating any power tool, make sure power cords and extension cords are out of the way and will not interfere with tool operation.

17. Dont wear jewelry or loose-fitting clothing when operating any tools or machinery that might entangle it and cause personal injury. Remove watches, rings, and other special metal when operating any portable power tool that is not labeled Double Insulated.

18. If a power tool stalls during operation, release the trigger or switch the machine off immediately. Then unplug the tool and work the jam loose in safety. Before resuming operation, correct the cause of the stall.

19. Always grip a portable power tool firmly before switching it on, as the torque of the motor could cause you to lose your grip. Whenever possible, grasp the tool with both hands.

20. Remove a table-saw blade guard only to make cuts that do not fully penetrate the wood, as in cutting grooves in frame molding. Immediately replace the guard after such cuts, and leave it in place for all other work. Some old-timers leave the guards off their saws, and some old-timers possess fewer than ten fingers.

21. When miter cutting or crosscutting with a table saw or bandsaw and miter gauge, remove the fence from the saw. Never use both the fence and the miter gauge together, as this practice can lead to serious injury and saw damage.

22. When using a stationary power saw to rip broad boards into narrow stock for frame moldings, always feed the material through the saw with push blocks to keep your fingers away from the blade.

23. Maintain all tools for long lifeyours and the tools. Keep them clean, free of corrosion, and lubricated according to the manufacturers directions.

24. Worn or damaged power cords on electrically powered tools are dangerous and should be replaced. Likewise, damaged extension cords should be repaired or discarded.