CREATING THE PERFECT CORNER JOINING EQUIPMENT REVIEW • TIMBER MATS
Contents
PFM is a member of:
Volume 31, Number 10
PPFA, The Professional Picture Framers Association ACC, Art Copyright Coalition SOG, Society of Gilders
On the Cover
From compact, manually operated models to high-volume, computerized machines, today's frame joining equipment is more sophisticated than ever—and perfect options for businesses of every size. For the full story, see page 12. Photo courtesy of Fletcher Business Group
Features 12 Finding the Right Joining Equipment for Your Shop 24 Photo Series Wins PPFA OPEN 28 Overcoming Joining Challenges 32 Timber Matboards
18
Columns 18 Framing Fundamentals 36 Successful Retailing Panel 46 Style Snapshot
28
Departments 8 10 39 42 43 44 45
Editor’s Note Industry News Crossword Puzzle Distributor Spotlight Index of Advertisers Product Showcase Crossword Solution
24
32
Picture Framing Magazine® (ISSN 10529977) is published monthly, plus one issue by PFM Publishing, LLC, 83 South Street, Unit 307, Freehold New Jersey 07728; phone 732-536-5160; fax 732-252-2270. Subscription Office: Picture Framing Magazine, PO Box 612, Northbrook, IL 60065-0612; phone 888-238-0049. Subscription: $20 per year U.S., $40 U.S. Dollars per year in Canada and Mexico, $60 U.S. Dollars per year for all international. Single copies, $5.95. If a paid subscription magazine is returned by the U.S. Postal Service as non-deliverable, Picture Framing Magazine will maintain the subscription for one year. If after one year a new address is not provided, Picture Framing Magazine will cancel the order. No refund will be available for that account. Periodicals class postage paid at Freehold, New Jersey, and at an additional mailing office. Entire contents © 2020 by PFM Publishing, LLC. Printed in U.S.A. Picture Framing Magazine registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Postmaster: Send address changes to Picture Framing Magazine, PO Box 612, Northbrook, IL 60065-0612 Agreement Number 1691910 Disclaimer The opinions and information in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher and are therefore not to be viewed as such. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the publisher. PFM does not knowingly accept false or misleading advertising or editorial, nor does the publisher assume any responsibility for the consequences that occur should any such material appear. PFM and PFM Publishing assume no responsibility for content, text, or artwork of advertisements appearing in PFM except those promoting PFM. The Publisher reserves the right to review all advertising materials submitted for publication and to not accept any such material deemed inappropriate for any reason.
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PICTURE FRAMING MAGAZINE www.pictureframingmagazine.com Bruce Gherman • bgherman@pfm-group.com • 848-444-5202 Kimberly Biesiada • kbiesiada@pfm-group.com • 848-231-3510 A RT D I RE C TO R Jin Dong • jin@wcafexpo.com • 848-231-4082
E X E C U TI V E PU BLI S HE R E D I TO R
CONTRIBUTORS
Jay Goltz • PRE S E RVATI O N E D I TO R Hugh Phibbs • M O U N TI N G E D I TO R Chris A. Paschke, CPF, GCF M AT D O C TO RS Tim Franer, CPF • John E. Ranes II, CPF, GCF • Brian Wolf, CPF William B. Adair • Ken Baur • Jared Davis, MCPF, GCF Paul MacFarland, MCPF, GCF • James Miller, MCPF, GCF
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A D V E RTI S I N G C O O RD I N ATO R
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CONTENTS
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AD INDEX
PFM PUBLISHING, LLC PRE S I D E N T
6 PFM October 2020
Bruce Gherman
FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK
T
Frame joining is an essential component of custom framing; this month, we look at equipment and techniques for perfecting your joins.
CONTENTS AD INDEX 8 PFM October 2020
his issue takes a closer look at frame joining; both the equipment involved in cutting and joining moulding and the best practices to ensure consistently accurate cuts and clean corners. As joining is an essential component of custom framing, it’s worth reviewing the machines and techniques you are using in your shop, whether you have been in business for three years or 30. Our staff report on joining equipment highlights just a few of the many underpinners on the market today (p. 12). Performance features detail each machine’s capabilities, starting with manually operated models and moving to pneumatic models and, finally, the most sophisticated, computerized models. Whether you are currently shopping for a new machine or plan to upgrade in the future, the industry’s leading manufacturers offer models for every size shop, from small-volume retailers to high-production facilities. In our latest Framing Fundamentals column, Wayne Baker, MCPF, explores methods for creating the perfect corner—and how to achieve consistent, repeatable results (p. 18). What qualifies as a “perfect” corner may differ slightly from framer to framer, but abiding by these rules of thumb
will help ensure your framing jobs meet everyone’s highest standards. Of course, mistakes will inevitably happen; but while human error is a factor in any line of work, many frame production errors can be prevented by taking a few extra steps. In his latest article, Kevin Meath covers those steps from A to Z (p. 28). Kevin also offers solutions for overcoming challenges when joining tall, narrow, or warped mouldings. From machine maintenance to moulding selection, these expert tips will help you avoid costly mistakes. This issue also features the third installment of a five-part series on this year’s Successful Retailing Panel, which took place at the 2020 WCAF Expo. This panel brings together expert panelists and framing retailers to discuss business challenges and solutions. This year saw a new format in which business owners took the stage to share their successes in marketing, management, and finance. I hope you find these stories as valuable as those in the audience did.
Kimberly Biesiada Editor
FIND THE RIGHT JOINING EQUIPMENT FOR YOUR SHOP
W
hether you have recently opened your own
joiners on the market for picture framing retailers of
frame shop, purchased an existing business,
all sizes. All products are listed alphabetically within
or are an established retailer looking to up-
each section. For further detail about these machines
grade your equipment, it’s important to keep up to date
as well as other models not listed here, contact your
on the joining machines best suited to your needs.
local sales representative or visit the suppliers online
Here, we take a closer look at just a few of the many
at the websites listed on page 16.
For the Small Retailer: Manual Underpinners The AMP U-200 is an entry-level
• Easy table tilt adjustment
Performance features:
frame assembly machine for small
• Join either from front or back of ma-
• Aluminum profile structure
retail operations. As a fully manual machine, it requires no compressed air or electrical power to operate. This quiet, lightweight unit allows
chine • Cable adjustment for actuator pedal height • Requires small footprint: 18'' x 30''
• Stainless-steel working table • Adjustable, magnetic chevron hold down and solid crossbar • Easy wedge loading • Quick and easy wedge positioning
the framer to bring the joining operation in-house for cost control and
The Cassese CS1 Series is a manu-
quick customer turnaround. It can
al, foot-operated underpinner ideal-
handle moulding sizes up to 5 1/8''
ly suited to a small retail frame shop.
wide and 3 1/4'' high.
The CS1 is designed to join softwoods, hardwoods, MDF, and poly frames. It
Performance features:
includes an adjustable magnetic chev-
• Pedal actuator – requires limited
ron hold down on a solid crossbar and
force for nail insertion
features easy V-nail loading and sim-
• Spring-loaded pull pin locking
plified V-nail positioning. The CS1 is
clamp mechanism allows quick
designed to be simple and fast and can
adjustment for different size
handle moulding sizes up to 4'' wide
mouldings
and 4'' high.
CONTENTS
For the Mid-Sized Retailer: Pneumatic Underpinners
AD INDEX
The AMP U-300 is a benchtop frame
joint. The V-nail insertion is actuated
joining machine popular with custom
using a pneumatic pedal. The U-300 will
• Quick-change, magnetic pad hold
framers. The design of the U-300 al-
join mouldings up to 3 3/4'' wide and 3
down feature fitting most mould-
lows the operator to set the front and
1/4'' high.
ing profiles
back measuring stops for V-nail inser-
Performance features:
tion. The frame is then moved across
• Pneumatic loader to eliminate nail
the nail head and V-nails are driven or stacked anywhere along the frame 12 PFM October 2020
jams • “Soft clamping” pneumatic feature
for damage-free joints
• Requires small tabletop footprint: 19'' x 18'' x 14'' • Operates only with pneumatic air, no electrical hookup needed
COUNT DOWN
TO A BETTER BUSINESS
10 MOUNTING METHODS FROM CHRIS PASCHKE
7 PRESERVATION FRAMING FROM HUGH PHIBBS
4 FRAMESHOP CREATIVITY FROM JOHN RANES II
1
9 A LOOK AT FRAME HISTORY FROM WILLIAM ADAIR
8 PROVEN SALES STRATEGIES FROM JARED DAVIS
6 MAT DESIGN FROM BRIAN WOLF
5 MARKETING TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES FROM GINGER HARTFORD
3 RETAILING TIPS FROM KEN BAUER
2 STRAIGHT TALK ON BUSINESS FROM JAY GOLTZ
PICTURE FRAMING MAGAZINE The Number One Source For Everything Framing!
www.pictureframingmagazine.com For more information contact 848-444-3138
• Dual-function foot pedal for separate control of clamping and V-nail insertion
• Self-adjusting fences make it easy to match moulding profile
Performance features: • Uses standard V-nails in the fol-
• Cassese’s exclusive Smart Nail
lowing sizes: 7, 10, 12, and 15mm
• Designed with a unique, trou-
Drive System eliminates the
• Includes four interchangeable
ble-free piston V-nail driver block-
need to adjust the top clamp lo-
heads and two self-adjusting hy-
blade system for years of depend-
cation and eliminates the need
draulic clamps designed to hold
able single and multi-stacking
to adjust air pressure between
the moulding in place to simply
operations
hardwood and softwood • Adjustable and magnetic chev-
The Cassese CS20 Cart pneumatically-operated underpinner offers
piece together your corner • Operator sets front and back
ron top hold down
stops and then uses the joystick
• Quick and easy nail positioning
to insert and/or stack V-nails
excellent flexibility for small framers up to medium-sized contract
The Universal Arquati DY104 is a
framers. Simple and easy to use with
high-value, bench- or stand-mount-
clamps for both the front and top of
ed pneumatic underpinner that is
the moulding to produce the high-
designed to join wider mouldings.
est-quality corners. Able to join a
It has a single-stage pneumatic foot
wide range of mouldings widths and
pedal that engages the horizontal
heights.
and vertical clamps. The DY104 can insert any number of V-nails be-
Performance features:
tween the front and back stops. The
• Patented, powerful, double-ac-
DY104 will join mouldings up to 6''
tion
horizontal
clamps
hold
wide and 4'' high.
moulding tight
For the Large Retailer: High-Volume Production Joiners file data storage of 5,000 different
erator comfort
frames, the operator can easily recall
• User-friendly touch-screen oper-
any frame profile either alphabeti-
ation with data storage for 5,000
cally, numerically, or using the bar-
frame profiles
code reading option. The U-600 will
• Bar code scanner option for
join mouldings up to 4 1/2'' wide and
production integration and ef-
3 1/4'' high.
ficiency
CONTENTS
• Join from front or back of maPerformance features: The AMP U-600 is the most advanced frame joining machine in
AD INDEX
the AMP line. This machine is ideal for high-production facilities that require flexibility for different sized V-nail fasteners or a common mm size through a market unique configurable channel feature. With pro14 PFM October 2020
• Equipped with five individual
chine •
Machine
handles
all
types
V-nail storing channels, capable
of wood, plastics, and MDF
of holding up to 220 V-nails each
materials
• V-channels can store multiple sizes or one common size for
The
production uptime and produc-
MemoTS+ is designed as a high-
tivity
speed production machine. Within
• Easy table tilt adjustment for op-
A-Plus
Automation
A6-
the same work cycle, the operator
MANUFACTURERS
• Nine nailing positions, up to nine nails per position
AMP: www.fletcher-terry.com A-Plus Automation: www.a-plusautomationusa.net
•
Storage
for
3,000
moulding
profiles
Cassese: www.cassese.com
• Wide mouldings – 7 1/2'' stroke
Universal Arquati: www.universalarquati.com
•
Powerful,
retractable
“Ultra”
clamps draw moulding tight
can insert and/or stack different
tion operations, with programmable
The Universal Arquati DY102 is a
V-nails in the different insertion po-
memory and a user-friendly touch-
high-value, fully automatic, comput-
sitions. The programs can be opera-
screen interface. This machine is
erized underpinner. The DY102 comes
tor input or downloaded from a PC.
designed to join softwoods, hard-
with four interchangeable heads,
The operator can select the frame to
woods, MDF, and poly frames. The
one for each size of V-nail. Chang-
be produced via the touch-screen or
touch-screen tells operators which
ing V-nails is a simple, three-minute
by scanning with the optional bar-
cartridge size and accessories to use.
task with this machine. It can store
code reader. The machine will au-
The programmable memory stores
up to 2,500 individual profile setups
tomatically adjust, and production
up to 3,000 profiles (unlimited pro-
in any alpha-numeric sequence. The
can start immediately. The barcode
files if full parameter barcode and
DY102 will join mouldings up to 6''
reader can also fully program the
scanner are used). The Mach 4 Cart
high and 4'' high.
machine using a special QR barcode.
will join mouldings from up to 6''
Performance features:
The A6-MemoTS+ will join frames
wide and 4'' high.
• Uses standard V-nails in the fol-
up to 7 1/4'' wide 4 1/4'' high.
lowing sizes: 7, 10, 12, and 15mm Performance features:
Performance features: • Magazine composed of five channels which contain five sizes of special steel wedges: 5, 7, 10, 12, and 15mm
draulic clamps and an adjust-
joiner • High-speed – 3,300 cycles/hour
able horizontal clamp • Vertical clamps have a separate
(two nails/corner)
pedal to allow self-adjusting
• Cassese’s exclusive Smart Nail
• Within the same work cycle, op-
Drive System eliminates the
erator can insert and/or stack
need to adjust the top clamp lo-
wedges of different sizes in the
cation and eliminates the need
different insertion positions
to adjust air pressure between
• Store an almost endless number
• Two self-adjusting vertical hy-
• Electronic + pneumatic memory
setup • Easy to set up, program, and operate •
Storage
for
2,500
moulding
profiles PFM
hardwood and softwood
of programs, which can be entered manually or downloaded from a PC • Operator can easily recall the
V-NAIL VS. DOVETAIL
CONTENTS
program through the touch-
Both an underpinner/V-nailer, like the models seen in this article, and a dovetail rout-
screen or through the use of an
ing machine are important pieces of equipment for a custom framing retailer. Dovetail systems are particularly useful for achieving strong joints in narrow, tall stem mouldings;
optional bar code scanner to restart production immediately
AD INDEX
• Horizontal, vertical, and fence
deep shadowbox frames; unusually shaped frames, including multiple angles; and other mouldings that won’t easily join on an underpinner.
clamping devices provide very precise tightening of the frame The Cassese Mach 4 Cart is a fast, heavy-duty design for high-produc16 PFM October 2020
Hoffmann Machine Company manufactures a number of benchtop and high-production dovetail routing machines. For their complete lineup and details about each model, visit them online at www.hoffmann-usa.com.
Product Showcase Decor Moulding
Delta Picture Frame Co.
Introducing Soho, a new line featuring six large, black and white gloss mouldings in very contemporary profiles. Widths range from 1 1/2'' up to 3'', and rabbet heights from 7/8'' up to 1 3/4''. Soho: classic beauty combined with contemporary profiles and glistening finishes. Order corner kit #CS-SOHO to get these high-demand styles on your walls today.
This collection of 2 3/8'' brushed silvers and blacks is a great go-to for black and white photography, mirrors, and artwork with metallic accents. For samples and pricing, please contact the office at the phone number below. Call: 800-327-5482 www.deltapictureframe.com
Call: 800-937-1055 www.decormoulding.com
Framerica
Michelangelo Moulding
Traditional Spumante, featuring gold leaf markings and a sleek champagne tone, is now available in the company’s BW275 profile. The 1 ¼'' profile has a scooped lip and face coupled with a flat top and concave back. “This pairing provides a traditional gold option with an incredibly useful valued-added profile,” notes VP Josh Eichner.
For autumn 2020, Michelangelo Moulding is offering its very popular 3'' flat, 253 Series in four new finishes. Available in radius-edge stainless steel, walnut, gray, and black barnwood, the 253 Series now also includes black, warm silver, white, and espresso radius models.
Call: 800-372-6422 www.framerica.com
Call: 877-422-8812 www.michelangelomoulding.com
Omega Moulding
Sepp Leaf
Edge by Omega Moulding is a collection of multiuse modular mouldings that can be used to create standard traditional frames or to serve as floater frames for graphic arts media such as face-mounted acrylic prints and other panel mounted work. Available in both black and white finishes (wood mouldings) and in aluminum (extruded metal).
Liberon Black Polish: premade Ebony Shellac is ready to use; just brush or pad on. This generous three-pound cut of shellac can be thinned with alcohol. Ebonize your frames! An outstanding, shiny, French-polish finish can be achieved. Using Liberon’s superfine 4/0 Steel Wool in conjunction with this product is recommended. Imported by Sepp Leaf Products NYC.
Call: 800-289-6634 (US) 877-452-3799 (Canada) www.omegamoulding.com
Call: 212-219-0770 www.talasonline.com
CONTENTS AD INDEX
Tru Vue
Universal Arquati
Optium Museum Acrylic is now available in smaller, single-sheet sizes, making it easier for you to offer the best glazing for any project. Suggested retail pricing is available, and product is stocked coast to coast. Request a sample kit, find a distributor, and get complete details at tru-vue.com/ optium.
Introducing a new collection of upscale and quality design mouldings. The full collection consists of 50 brand new items, various finishes, and unique profiles, all made in Italy! Stock and samples of the new Arquati Signature collection, and the collections within this brand, are available now! Please contact your local sales representative or UA by phone or fax (661362-6263). View these mouldings as well as UA’s entire collection online.
Call: 800-282-8788 www.tru-vue.com
Call: 800-668-3627 www.universalarquati.com
44 PFM October 2020
(Continued from page 46)
frame ages and the wood expands and contracts, a slight
riod like Diego (Rodríguez de Silva y) Velázquez (1599-1660).
separation will appear, but it will not disturb the carving of
They would also work well around the quintessential Span-
these magnificent corner ornaments.
ish painter Francisco Goya (1746-1828). In addition, Spanish painters who emulated the style of their predecessors, like
What design departures might be seen on some frames of
Joaquín Sorolla (1863-1923), had a preference for these kinds
this style? Spanish frames from this period had surfaces that
of frames.
were completely gilded like this one. Many also had surfaces that were partially polychromed. It would be common to find
Additional comments and/or anecdotes. This frame has
frames with gilded corner and center ornaments, and con-
punch work in the center panels, a technique discussed above
necting panels that were either ebonized or had a rich col-
and often used on frames from the seventeenth and eigh-
or applied to them. I have seen everything from a subdued
teenth century. The technique was also used again centuries
brown-black to deep turquoise to a red tortoise shell pattern.
later by early twentieth-century American frame makers. The
What furnishing/interior styles accompanied these style frames in their time? Spanish furniture from this time would also have been decorated with expertly carved ornamentation. Like the variations one sees in seventeenth- and eighteenth-century frames, we also see the use of gilded,
most stunning example of punch work I have ever seen is on an Italian frame from about the same time period as this Spanish frame. The punch work tool used to decorate the surface was in the shape of a tiny star, and the frame was textured all over with hundreds of them grouped in close proximity; it was like a spectacular Milky Way, and the frame looked magical. PFM
wood finish, and polychromed surfaces in the décor elements from this period. What type of artwork would this frame most likely house? These frames would be found around artists from the pe-
“Best of PFM” takes a look back at some of the magazine’s most popular articles on frame history as it celebrates its 30th year in publication. This article appeared in its original format in the June 2006 issue.
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