To make an appointment call   01730 269926 Appointment only

Contact Us

Please phone to make an appointment

Frame Cutting and Assembly

This page provides a summary of how best to use the mitre saw and the mitre vices that I recommend to cut and assemble your frames. The mitre vices can be purchased through this website. Please visit our Shop for further details. The mitre saw used for cutting the frames can be bought at various DIY stores but do send me details of the saw before you buy it as I can advise of the best one to purchase. I also have some very good instructions that I have written for the mitre saw that are available with some of the combination kits.

Useful Tips for Frame Cutting

The mitre saw that is the most cost-effective model. Instructions are available for this model but we do not sell this saw due to the weight of the saw for delivery.

  1. If buying your own mitre saw, buy the black one NOT the blue one as it has a better clamping system
  2. A 24 teeth per inch (T.P.I.) blade is recommended as it gives the best cut. Such a blade will cost app. £8.00
  3. Always allow 1/8” extra length when cutting frames, e.g. if the mount measures 12” X 10” then cut the frame 12 1/8” X 10 1/8”
  4. Cut all the angles one way first then turn the saw round for the opposite angle
  5. Cut the long side first, then if any mistakes occur this can then be used for the short side.
  6. Be careful with the first few strokes of the saw blade so as not to splinter the top edge of the material.
  7. Don’t let the saw drop onto the top of the moulding
  8. Make sure the saw will stop before it cuts into the aluminium casting.
  9. Do not crush the rebate of the moulding with the clamps.
  10. Measure it twice - cut it once
  11. Mind your fingers!

Exert from book Frames and Framing by Andy Parks

You will create a lot of saw dust and it will probably hinder the view of the etched line on the mitre saw base. Do not blow this dust as it will invariably go in your eyes. The best idea is to keep the saw dust in a small pot or box and use it as a filler in combination with wood glue.

Useful Tips for Mitre Assembly

Mitre Vice

The mitre vice for sale through my classes and the shop

  1. Use white P.V.A or resin ‘W’ glue
  2. Use 19 gauge panel pins
  3. Drilling the holes first will make assembly of the frame easier
  4. Drill the pilot holes with the same gauge panel pin to be used in assembly. Do not use a drill bit for this
  5. Protect the moulding in the mitre vice with scraps of mountboard.
  6. Always join one short length to one long length.
  7. Make sure each pair of long and short lengths are of the opposite hand, e.g. long length, right hand - short length, left hand.
  8. Cut heads of nails off with pincers if they are too big and will look unsightly
  9. Leave the mitre in the vice overnight, once nailed, to allow the glue to dry thoroughly

Exert from book Frames and Framing by Andy Parks

It is recommended that you only use a water based wood adhesive glue, such as PVA or white wood glue. Do not use such glues as instant contact glues or strong industrial spirit based glues. This is because it is quite difficult to perfectly align two pieces of moulding in the mitre vices and you may need to make slight adjustments to ensure a perfectly aligned corner. Also the glue often spills over onto the top of the frame. In fact this seepage is highly desirable to ensure plenty of glue. Any spirit glue may take the surface off your moulding so only use wood glues that are water based.

Contact Details

  • Contact
  • Opening Times
  • How To Find Us

Contact Us

Unit 4A
Buriton Business Park
Petersfield 
Hampshire GU32 3NJ 
United Kingdom

Phone: +44 (0)1730 269926

Opening Times

Mornings

The Petersfield Framing Studios are open by appointment only. Appointments are usually available Monday to Friday from 9am until 1pm. After making an appointment you can come to the workshop to choose your picture mounts and frames or collect orders that are ready.

Afternoons

Afternoons are dedicated to collection and delivery of picture framing at your home by appointment. 

Directions to the Petersfield Framing Studios

From Petersfield:

We are located about one mile due South of Petersfield town centre on the Buriton Business Park. Take the old A3 heading towards Portsmouth out of Petersfield, pass Tesco's and The Petersfield School, both on the right hand side. Keep travelling up The Causeway until the roundabout by the old Jolly Sailor public house. Keep going on the old A3 towards Portsmouth from a 30 mph limit into a 40 mph limit and then into a 60 mph limit. Go past a lay by on the left hand side and past another smaller lay by on the right hand side of the road. We are on the next right hand turn. It is difficult to see but look for a red triangle warning sign of a low bridge just after this turning on the right. Turn right here and follow this narrow road for about 50 yards until you see another turning on the right where you will see a small business park in front of you. Turn right here and then immediately left into the entrance of the Buriton Business Park. We are in the building on the left hand side. Park your car somewhere on the left hand side. We are located at the very end of the left hand building in Unit 4A.

Travelling from the North of Petersfield via the A3:

The exit that you need is the last exit from the A3 before driving past Butser Hill and before the turning off for the Queen Elizabeth Country Park. Travel along the A3 past the two junctions signposted "Midhurst A272" and also past the junction signposted "Winchester A272" respectively. This is also the junction where the service station is located. Keep driving along the A3 past the industrial estate on the left hand side. Eventually you will see Butser Hill with the easily identifiable mast on top on the right hand side. As you near the hill, there is another junction off the A3 signposted "Buriton". Take this junction and follow the road around to the left heading back on itself. Follow this road for about 200 yards until you arrive at a roundabout. Go straight over this roundabout signposted towards "Petersfield" and cross over a bridge over the railway. Follow this road for about 200 yards where you will see a sign on the edge of the road that says Buriton Business Park. Take the next left hand turn that has a warning sign of a low bridge as a land mark. Follow this road for about 50 yards and then turn left and the Buriton Business Park entrance is just on the left hand side. We are in the building on the left hand side. Park your car somewhere on the left hand side. We are located at the very end of the corridor in the left hand building in Unit 4A.

Travelling from the South of Petersfield via the A3:

Follow the A3 over the South Downs until the A3(M) becomes the A3. Keep going past the Queen Elizabeth County Park on the right and past Butser Hill on the left. Once you have passed Butser Hill and you can no longer see the mast on top of the hill, we are off of the next junction, signposted "Buriton". Take this junction and follow the road around to the right back under the A3 and you will arrive at a roundabout. Turn left here where it is signposted for "Petersfield" and cross over a bridge over the railway. Follow this road for about 200 yards where you will see a sign on the edge of the road that says Buriton Business Park. Take the next left hand turn that has a warning sign of a low bridge as a land mark. Follow this road for about 50 yards and then turn left and the Buriton Business Park entrance is just on the left hand side. We are in the building on the left hand side. Park your car somewhere on the left hand side. We are located at the very end of the corridor in the left hand building in Unit 4A.

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