Use Cases to Organize Your Cleaning Supplies

March 8th, 2009

Many of us today live hectic lives, so when we finally find a couple of hours to clean house, we want the supplies all together and ready to go. Taking time to hunt down the cleanser or to run to the store for furniture polish can break your stride and divert your attention. Spend an hour or two organizing and stocking your cleaning supplies ahead of time, so when you’re ready to start your chores, there won’t be any delays.

Begin with finding a storage area for the larger equipment. This could be a tall utility closet or storage enclosure that can be kept in the laundry room, basement, or garage. The cabinet can open with a turn handle or a snap-lock. Even one with a curtain cover, you can keep the dust mop, broom, and wet mop there, along with a bucket, sponges, brushes, and other implements. If you don’t have a cabinet, you can still keep these items together in a corner of the laundry room or a hall closet. Just make sure the area is neat, clean, and moisture-free.

Use a wooden, vinyl, or plastic crate for cleaning products like cleansers, polishes, and soaps. Find a safe place to keep the crate where pets and kids are unlikely to come across these things and tamper with them. You may need to use more than one crate to include all your supplies. In fact, you can keep a crate of needed cleaning supplies on each floor of the house, since cleaning needs may differ. For example, if the main bathrooms are on the second floor, the crate for that level will include tub cleaner, sponges, and maybe a little rust treatment if your water is hard. In the basement, though, you may want to keep stronger scrubbing agents and dusters.

Inside the crates, closets, and cupboards, organize your cleaning products in the order you will use them, preferably with the tallest in the back and shorter ones in the front. Make sure that all container caps are secured tightly. Wipe away spilled droplets or powder before putting away your supplies for the next time. Set aside used sponges or cloths for washing so they will be ready for the next use. You will want to occasionally clean the broom, mop, dustpan, and other equipment to keep them neat and germ-free.

When cleaning supplies go on sale, stock up on your favorites and store them in neat cases or on storage shelves at home. This way you can avoid paying top dollar when you run out of something you need and shop in a hurry. If a product has an expiration date, though, just be sure to use it before that date comes up.

Don’t wait to check your supplies when you’re ready to begin cleaning. It’s frustrating to pick up a can of cleaner for the bathroom sink, only to realize it’s empty, or near so. Plan ahead, organize your supplies, and save time.

For more information on organizing your cleaning supplies in cases, Visit The Case Connection

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Supplies | No Comments »

Welding Defects – How to Prevent Them!

March 7th, 2009

There are welding defects that are sometimes overlooked or not considered. Each welding project requires careful considerations. They include:

  • The process, the type of welding i.e. stick, MIG, TIG.

  • The composition of the base metal and thickness.

  • The welding position, i. e. flat, vertical, horizontal, overhead.

  • The weld joint and type.

  • Electrical supply and equipment.

  • And finally, the welding techniques to be used.

    • To minimize the chance of welding defects be sure to consider 1) the travel speed of the pass; 2) the size and type electrode; 3) machine settings; 4) make sure the welding is done in accordance with the plan and the current conditions.

    Most of, or a great deal of, welding defects can be identified by the “naked eye.” By knowing what is likely to produce welding defects you will learn how to avoid them. Production without defects saves time, materials, repair costs, and a decrease in productivity.

    The two following causes for weld rejection should not be but are often overlooked 1) is the weldor proficient with the process being used? 2) is the welding rod supply up to standards? Use only properly stored, dried, and maintained welding rods.

    Welding defects include poor penetration. It’s the failure of the welding rod and base metal to fuse together. It’s caused by a root face that is too big; a root opening that is too small; an electrode that’s too large; slow travel speed or a machine setting that’s too low.

    Poor fusion is the failure to blend the layers of weld metal together with the base metal. A lack of fusion is caused by ” . . . failure to raise to the melting point of the base metal or the deposited weld metal,” (Miller Electric Mfg. Co.) It’s caused by improper fluxing; dirty plate surfaces; improper electrode size or type; wrong current settings. Electrodes that do not meet the storing, drying and maintenance specifications also cause it.

    Undercutting is another problem that causes welding defects. It burns away the base metal at the toe of the weld. It’s caused by a current adjustment that is too high; an arc gap that is too long or failure to fill up the crater completely with weld metal.

    Porosity looks “sponge like,” or like tiny “bubbles” in the weld. It’s caused by gases being released by the cooling weld because a current setting is too high or arc is too long.

    Slag inclusion occurs when the slag is not chipped and cleaned properly and then another pass is made over the top. To avoid, 1) prepare the groove and weld properly before each pass; 2) thoroughly clean in between passes; check the machine settings against those suggested by the manufacturer; 3) hold a smaller weld puddle.

    Martin Rice teaches college level welding, in addition to writing articles for RodOvens.com, where you can purchase Welding Rod Ovens online.

    Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
    Posted in Supplies | No Comments »

    Bachelorette Wild Thing Bridal Party

    February 21st, 2009

    A bachelorette party is a relatively new celebration similar to a bridal shower. The groom-to-be isn’t the only one allowed to have a last stand party celebrating the end of his “freedom.” Girls get in on the action now with their own bachelorette parties.

    When planning a bachelorette party, consult a party planning specialist from a party supply store. They will have motifs to choose from if you want clean or naughty themed decorations. Clean decorations can include brides and bride apparel, or any theme such as a luau or western party. Naughty parties have decorations shaped like male genitalia!

    No matter what your theme is, send out invitations. Make them coordinate with any other decorations you buy. Balloons and streamers in any color, as well as paper products are available at a party supply store. If you are having a night out at the bar, they carry novelty items to take along. A blow up, life sized doll can be attached to the bride via handcuffs. She can wear a fake veil or a T-shirt begging for help.

    If you are having a tame party, plan a meal and games. Order in pizza and watch porno movies. Make it a combination naughty and nice party.

    Either party requires intimate gifts for the bride. Lingerie, lotions and robes are all fun gifts to give, as well as receive, at a bachelorette party. Take pictures of the bride-to-be trying on her duds to send to the groom-to-be. That qualifies as naughty too.

    A stripper might show up, so don’t be shocked. If elderly women are present, prevent them from having strokes! Or they might surprise the young ladies with a thing or two.

    Send out thank you cards and a picture of the whole gang at the party. It’s a great way to remember the night!

    Mrs. Party… Gail Leino is the internet’s leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies, using proper etiquette and manners while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. The Party Supplies Hut has Bachelorette Party Supplies, ideas, pinatas, games, costumes, decorations, and activities.

    Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
    Posted in Supplies | No Comments »

    Picture Frames and Framing Supplies

    February 18th, 2009

    Acid free double side tape is suitable for use with photographs and mounting other non-museum quality or non-collector quality art.

    Adhesive spray makes it real easy to mount photographs and other artwork picture
    frames. There are a lot of professional framers that are mount with spray adhesives.

    Professional framers generally use vacuum operated mounting equipment that isn’t
    possible for home mounting, but with care you can do a very good job with spray
    adhesives.

    A brad pusher is used to push brads into the frame to hold the glass, picture on the
    mounting board and backing board securely in the picture frame.

    It has a magnetic tip that will attract a brad and it has a spring action cylinder that
    you pull back to expose the tip and after you have a brad on the tip you release the
    spring cylinder and it holds the brad from flopping back and forth while you push it
    into the wood of the picture frame.

    Angle Clamps is good and heavy and will hold picture frames pieces secure. Four
    Corner Framing Clamp is a simple clamp to use to hold all four corners of a picture
    frame at one time. It has metal corner braces and threaded rod with thumbnuts to
    adjust just a little at a time on each corner.

    Gold spray is ideal for gilding picture frames or just about anything else you would
    like to look like gold. It gives good gold coverage.

    About The Author:

    Roger King is a successful author and publisher of http://www.1st-home-decor.com
    Picture frames supplies and ideas to showcase your homes.

    Tags:
    Posted in Supplies | No Comments »

    Billiards Supplies

    February 6th, 2009

    The high demand for billiard equipment has skyrocketed with its growing popularity. It seems like there’s a whole new generation who find the game of billiards challenging and exciting. Billiard equipment is a little expensive, although brand names play a determinant role in the price. More ever the 2:1 table manufactured according to standardized rules is quite long requiring a very spacious place to house it. Hence, the consignment is generally supplied to clubs, restaurants and other public places.

    For individuals who can afford a billiard table, there are numerous options. Billiard equipment is available in stores like Wal-Mart. In countries like India where supplies are not easily available there are many other options. Many online suppliers like the Billiard zone, Billiard warehouse, etc enable an individual to place an order over the Internet and receive equipment within a couple of weeks.

    There are also many magazines that provide information about billiard equipment suppliers. The market is flooded with various options. There are suppliers that offer the best in game boards, chalks, and cue repair kits, billiard racks and other accessories. A little time spent exploring options can be very rewarding. Coweta fayettea.com is another website providing information about suppliers on its business directory page. AZ Billiards is another popular site to purchase billiard equipment. They offer McDermott, Pechauer, Predator, Cuetec, HRUSA, and Hampton Ridge Pool cues, as well as a full range of pool cue cases. They also have a varied selection of billiards training aids and books and videos.

    Billiards provides detailed information on Billiards, History of Billiards, Rules of Billiards, Billiards Supplies and more. Billiards is affiliated with Pool Tables for Sale .

    Tags: , , ,
    Posted in Supplies | No Comments »

    Harry Potter Makes Lesson Plans Exciting

    February 1st, 2009

    With magic and mystery inspired by the Harry Potter stories, many ideas for teaching strategies and lesson plans come to mind. You can let your imagination run wild.

    Science lessons plans incorporating evidence for solving mysteries such as fingerprints, dental impressions and disappearing ink come to mind. Invite a member of your local police force to come and give a basic talk to your students on how they solve crimes using this type of evidence. Is there a student in your class who has had dental impressions or molds made from plaster of paris during a treatment for teeth straightening with braces? Using water based paints, demonstrate how each student has finger prints that differ from everyone else. Hand print artwork can then be done. Turn hand prints into imaginary butterflies or birds.

    Hermione’s Time Turner can be incorporated into your history lessons. Turn back the time to yesteryear and discuss the people and events from that time.

    One of my favorite items from Harry Potter is the Sorting Hat. First year Hogwarts students are sorted into the four (4) houses of Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff or I have found the official Harry Potter store where many of these items can be purchased (see below for url).Slytherin. The hat’s mouth actually can be made to move. This is a wonderful item to use around Hallowe’en time or any time in the classroom. Reward a student for good behavior or marks by letting them wear the hat. Choose students to read passages from thier story book readers out loud to the class while wearing the Sorting Hat. Or perhaps the day class monitor can wear the hat while they perform their daily duty. There are so many ways to incorporate this hat into your lesson plans and teaching strategies.

    There are 3 Magic Wands that were used by the children in the Harry Potter books. One way to use wands in the classroom can be when the children choose teams for various activities they can select each person with the use of a wand. Children may wish to make their own wands in art class from various “magical” materials.

    Learning to tell time lesson plans and to keep the correct dates can be done while employing one of the several wall or desk calendars or watches. As well, children can make their own Harry Potter wall posters.

    There are journals available to encourage students to write their thoughts in on a daily basis. Perhaps they can write magical stories too.

    And last but not least, all teaching strategies incorporate reading into their lesson plans. There are several Harry Potter bookmarks that students will love to use to keep their place in their readers or books. What a great idea for end of school (encourage reading during the summer holidays), back to school or Christmas gifts from the teacher.

    Following are short descriptions of several Harry Potter merchandise items as found online in the Harry Potter Shop.

    Collectible Time Turner:
    This Time-Turner is an authentic recreation of Hermione’s Time-Turner. It is centered with a working miniature hourglass and its inner rings rotate.

    Collectible Wands:
    This Harry Potter’s Wand is an authentic recreation of the famous wizard’s wand. It measures 14 inches in length. Made of wood and resin. Other wands for Ron and

    Hermione are also available.

    Double Buckle Leather Briefcase:
    You don’t need to work at the Ministry of Magic to carry this stunning, European-crafted Harry Potter briefcase! Made of high quality leather, the briefcase features a metal ‘Hogwarts’ logo on the outside front pocket and the ‘Harry Potter’ logo embossed on the flap-cover. A wonderful teacher’s case for all your magical lesson plans.

    Prisoner of Azkaban Wall Calendar:
    This 12-month calendar features a fun collection of artwork and images from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and is perfect for your home, office, or schoolroom.

    Prisoner of Azkaban Day-to-Day Calendar:
    Add a dose of magic into each and every day. The holographic image on the calendar’s stand is sure to liven up the day.

    Harry Potter Sheet Music Set:
    Learn to play the tunes of magic from Harry Potter on the piano. Contains 9 songs.

    Sorting Hat:
    Take the magic into your classroom with this brown Hogwarts Sorting Hat just like the one used in the Harry Potter films! With assorted brown patches and a tattered rim, this hat is an amazing replica of the hat worn by first years in the movie to sort the young wizards into the appropriate house — Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff or Slytherin. This spectacular hat has a hat puppet feature so you can put your hand into the hat and make it’s mouth move!

    Albus Dumbledore’s Wizard Hat:
    Bring magic into your classroom with this Albus Dumbledore’s Wizard Hat, just like the one used in the Harry Potter films! Handcrafted out of the finest materials, this hat is an amazing recreation of the one worn by everyone’s favorite Headmaster. This hat is adjustable to fit a full range of head sizes from children to adults.

    Albus Dumbledore’s Tassel Hat: Become the Headmaster in your class/school with this Albus Dumbledore’s Tassel Hat, just like the one used in the Harry Potter film with detailed stitching and orange tassel. This hat is adjustable to fit a full range of head sizes from children to adults.

    Professor McGonagall’s Witch Hat:
    Take the magic into your classroom with Professor McGonagall’s Witch Hat. This hat is adjustable to fit a full range of head sizes from children to adults.

    Harry Potter Hat Set (Sorting Hat, Student Hat, McGonagall’s Hat):
    Buy this set of three Harry Potter Hats and save! Pretend you are a young wizard scholar with this black velvet Hogwarts Students hat. Professor McGonagall’s hat has a satin ribbon with checkered detail and feather. The Hogwarts Sorting Hat has a spectacular puppet feature. Put your hand into the hat and make it’s mouth move — pretending you are sorting the young wizards into the appropriate house.

    Harry Potter Bookmark Set:
    You’ll never lose your place when reading about your favorite wizard with this Harry Potter bookmark set. There are six enchanting bookmarks in all and each design has a coordinating bead on its silky tassel. The designs include: Quidditch Game with cup bead, Flying Car with owl bead, Birthday Present with gift bead, Dragon with golden egg bead, Buckbeak Rescue with Buckbeak bead, and Underwater with golden egg bead. These bookmarks measure approximately 6″ long.

    Harry Potter Journal Box Set:
    Take notes, keep a diary, and draw in you own Harry Potter journal! Each 144-page hardcover book has plenty of room for students’ thoughts and drawings. The purple journal has the emblem of each house of Hogwarts on the cover and a wizard’s hat on each lined page. The red journal has a recreation of Platform 9 3/4 on the cover and is filled with lighting bolts on each lined page. The green journal has Hedwig on the cover and a magic wand graces each blank page.

    Harry Potter Two-Sided Journal:
    Take notes, keep a diary, and draw in your very own Harry Potter Two-Sided Journal. This hardcover flip-style journal, wire-bound to lie flat, is two journals in one!

    Open the purple-sided cover featuring Harry fighting a dragon to write on purple pages. Flip it over to view a green journal featuring artwork of Harry rescuing his friends underwater. This journal has 160 fine stationery pages (80 purple pages, 80 green pages) to fill with students’ thoughts and dreams.

    Hope these items and others inspire your lesson plans and teaching strategies. Your classroom will be envied by all the other students in the school.

    Valerie Giles owns and operates Cyber-Prof: Teacher Resource Site an educational web site that specializes in resources for school and teacher supplies. Free stuff for teachers, teaching strategies, K-8, educational toys and games, back to school, classroom technology and home school curriculum. http://www.cyber-prof.com

    The accompanying article is copyrighted. It may be reproduced only if the hyperlinks here are left intact.

    Tags: , , , , ,
    Posted in Supplies | No Comments »

    Finding Boxes for Your Move

    January 22nd, 2009

    When it comes time to move, you need basic supplies. As strange as it may sound, finding boxes is not as easy as you might first think.

    Moving can be a tough time in anyone’s life. There seems like there’s a million different things to do – from finding a new place to live, selling your old home (or arranging to leave an old rental), renting a truck and finding a way to move your household items from one spot to another. You might need to get friends to help you with the move, or hire movers to get your boxes and furniture to your new home. There is one item that many people might forget when planning out their move: boxes.

    Boxes might seem like a small item in the scheme of moving, but actually, it’s very important that you find a way to supply yourself with sturdy, good-sized boxes. If you try to move by packing items in many small boxes, or rely on using trash bags and other packing supplies, you might be in for a shock. Without proper packing materials and boxes, your precious household items could potentially break or become otherwise damaged. Too small boxes and other ways of packing can make moving items from place to place difficult as well.

    There are a few good places to get boxes for your move. Boxes that are specifically designed as moving boxes and sold for this purpose often tend to be more sturdy and conveniently shaped than other boxes. Many moving companies (professional movers) offer boxes as part of their service, and self-service moving van rental sites usually sell boxes as well. These boxes can be costly, but if you don’t want to have to scrounge around for moving supplies – it can be easier to just buy them. Other spots that sell moving boxes are various sites on the Internet, and stores that sell home repair supplies.

    Of course, you don’t have to purchase your moving boxes. Many stores and businesses have a constant supply of boxes, and they’re usually willing to give you those boxes if you ask for them. Businesses with the sturdiest boxes are usually liquor stores, grocery stores and printing or copy shops. All of these places will have boxes that are perfect for your move, but be aware they may not be as clean as purchased boxes, and they will probably not be all the same shape and size.

    Depending on your needs, you may want to have a mix of purchased boxes and free boxes to move your home.

    Lou Ross is with http://www.movingcompaniesforyou.com – a directory of moving companies with helpful advice on moving issues.

    Tags: , , , , , , ,
    Posted in Supplies | No Comments »

    What if People Did Not Starve to Death in Africa

    January 15th, 2009

    Many claim that there is a food shortage in the world and this is why people are dying in third world nations. Actually if you really stopped to look at it Americans waste enough food to feed 25% of all the worlds third world starving children. Our farmers plow under 50% of the food needed to feed the world. So if we came up with another 25% well, we really could feed all the world couldn’t we?

    If only it were that simple? You see, research and study after study shows that there is no shortage of food in the world and no one has to die by starving to death. The problem is a distribution problem and it has to do with the food being here, but people need it there in Africa and other places. Places where they often lack the water supplies, resources and tools, like tractors, irrigation systems to grow their own. In fact they have plenty of land, but not enough water supplies in all places. They lack the farming know-how and tools to help their farming endeavors.

    The scarcity of water, fresh water is growing to a catastrophic problematic situation and the potential eventuality is know; too many people, too little water and not enough food or water supplies to stop the escalation of the dilemma. Humans on the African Continent is astronomical numbers will perish if we do not figure out a way to stop gap the problems of the distances, costs and distribution issues to get them what they need. The World Bank is working on getting monies in to desalinate water and build sewage treatment plants. The Gate’s Foundation is figuring out ways to curb the Malaria Crisis. In fact so many groups are working together to solve these problems. For some it may not be soon enough in Africa. Think on this and Happy Thanksgiving.

    Lance Winslow – Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

    Tags: , , , , , , , ,
    Posted in Supplies | No Comments »

    An Introduction To Billiards

    January 7th, 2009

    Billiards has always been a family of games that is played on a table, with a cue stick. The cue stick is used to strike balls that move around on the table. There are different types of billiard ball games. In eight ball games and straight pool, 16 balls are used – 15 are colored and one white ball or “cue” ball. Object balls are numbered one through seven and are solid colored. Balls nine through 15 are white and have a colored stripe that matches a corresponding solid ball. The nine ball has a yellow stripe, the 10-ball has a blue stripe, etc. The eight ball is always black. Regulation balls measure 2 1/4 inches and weight about 5 1/2 to 6 ounces.

    On of the easiest games to play is Three Cushion billiards. It is played on a table that has no pockets and is slightly larger than a pool table. Three Cushion billiards is played with three balls that are red, yellow and white. The object is to have the cue ball hit the two other balls on the table along with three or more rails.

    Other games include the Straight Rail or Free Game. It requires the cue ball to hit only the two other balls in order to score a point. Balkline is another game like Straight Rail, but the table has lines that are 18″ from each rail that create nine boxes on the table. If a player makes one or two, depending on the game, Straight Rail billiards in a box and drive it across a line. Players try to make the ball come back into a box to continue playing. Three Cushion billiards is the most popular game of all billiard games played.

    Billiards provides detailed information on Billiards, History of Billiards, Rules of Billiards, Billiards Supplies and more. Billiards is affiliated with Pool Tables for Sale .

    Tags: , , ,
    Posted in Supplies | No Comments »

    Picture Framing for Photographers – Part 1

    December 29th, 2008

    Imagine being able to frame all your own photographs just as well as a professional. You can save enough money to easily pay for all the necessary tools, and the convenience of being able to do it yourself frees you from having to get someone else do it. If you’re an amateur a mount cutter, a frame clamp and a hand-operated frame joining tool is all the equipment you need to make professional looking frames. These days the tools are easy and safe to operate, inexpensive, and give you a good result. Picture framing can be divided into four areas. Cutting the bevel mount, cutting and joining the frame, mounting the photograph, and fitting and finishing the job. The tools required to perform each one of these functions are as follows.

    1. Mount Cutting: A hand-operated bevel mount cutter is essential for all photographic work. The most important feature of modern mount cutters is to have one that runs on its own ruler or straight edge.

    2. Frame cutting and Joining: The professional framer uses a guillotine to cut wooden frames, and an automatic v-nail joiner. But the cost is prohibitive for the small volumes of frames required by our industry. However, there are tools that give you a professional result at a fraction of the cost.

    3. Mounting Artwork: Dry mounting presses and laminating machines are not the only way to safely and effectively mount down all your artwork ready for framing. We will look at vacuum press mounting, hinging methods and other less expensive options.

    4. Fitting and Finishing: There are a number of hand-operated tools on the market to make this job quick and easy. These can be used safely by any person to give a professional finish to all framing jobs.

    Our series of articles over the next four issues will examine each one of these processes.

    Mount Cutting And Decoration

    Mount cutting is the creative face to picture framing. What distinguishes one framed photograph from another is the creative use of mounts. There is a wide choice of mount board brands and colours, possibly too many! Supplies are easy to come by, and the cost of the boards is not prohibitive. The best thing about cutting your own mounts is that once you cut it you get to keep the fallout from the middle, which can then become a mount for a smaller photograph. This saves money and helps qualify the investment in the mount cutting machine.

    Most hand-operated mount cutters available in art shops come with the cutting head only and not with a guide rule. For successful bevel cutting and good clean corners a guide rule that the cutting head runs on is essential for good results. The FrameCo systems are ideal for the DIY framer or small workshop.

    Mount cutters also come attached to a base board or just with the straight edge rule. The baseboard makes the system steadier, easier to use and more reproducible, however to cut a few mounts per year for you’re own photographic works, the head/ruler systems are quite sufficient.

    Another consideration is the sizing or cutting down of fullsize sheets. The large professional mount cutters are large enough to take the full size sheet. But a sharp Stanley knife and straight edge can be used to cut down full-size sheets into the blank sizes ready for bevel cutting. A straight 90 cutter is available from FrameCo, which will also attach to the rule. This can be used for cutting the mount board to size, and is safe and easy to use. The advantage of this optional cutting head is that it can also be used for cutting foam-core board up to smm thick. It uses the same blade as the bevel cutter.

    Cutting a Single Bevel Mount

    The technique for cutting bevel mounts is quick and easy. After cutting the mount board down to the right size to fit the frame, rule lines on the back of the mount board to the border size that you require. The bevel cutter head then attaches to the rule, so it’s steady when cutting. Another feature of the head is that it has a start/stop indicator line. Following the ruled lines on the back of the mount makes it easy to get good straight bevels, but to get clean crisp corners you need to know where to start and stop the cut. The indicator mark guarantees no overcuts on the corners, giving you a professional cut mount every time.

    Cutting a Double-Bevel Mount

    Rule lines on the back of the mount. Start and stop line guarantees perfect corners.

    Cutting a Double Bevel Mount

    Double mounts enhance most pictures. A narrow show of colour can pick out the dark spots in the subject, which will increase the contrast between light and dark, and thus sharpen the image. So a double mount is not only decorative, but also functional. The “secret” to cutting a double mount, so that the edges of the inner mount are exactly parallel to the edges of the outer mount, is NOT to cut two separate mounts and then stick them together. The best way is to cut the top mount first, then stick the two together with double-sided tape (ie: the top and the bottom mounts, then cut the bottom mount). The reason for doing it this way is that you use the same edge as a reference point to measure from. The mount will then be in line with one another and will look OK.

    It can sound confusing, but it’s not once you get the hang of it! The most important aspect of mount cutting is that with the right tools you can get a professional result relatively easily.

    Once you’ve mastered cutting single and double mounts you can also add decorative finishes to the mounts, which will enhance the image and add value to all your mount work.

    The Decorative V-Groove

    One of the most important techniques in decorative mount cutting is the “V” groove. This is a small v-shaped cut set into the front surface of the mount. The v-groove adds a stylish look to all your framing. It is that creative touch that gives any picture a professional finish.

    The professional framing industry uses existing large mount cutters to cut v-grooves. It is a twostage process because it involves cutting two separate bevel cuts to make the “V” cut. This is difficult to do and there are no guarantees for a perfect accurate v-groove. FrameCo has introduced the GrooveMaster. This is a hand-held v-groover, which cuts the “v” directly into the top surface of the mount. The GrooveMaster also attaches to the rule that you use for bevel mount cutting, which means it is accurate and easy to use.

    Now v-grooving is within reach of any DIY picture framer. And the technique is easy to master. You can purchase pre-cut mounts and decorate them with a v-groove, adding value to the mount, and making it much more versatile.

    Doing your own framing is ideal for the amateur, portrait or weekend photographer. You can save on framing costs to more than offset the investment in tools and accessories. You control the mounting and matting stage, and there is a great satisfaction in doing it yourself. However if you have a retail outlet handy then I wouldn’t suggest you try and compete with the mass market of ready made frames. These frames are cheap and well made. But there is a significant market for the one off odd-size frame that is not available in the ready mades. Either cut an odd size mount to fit a standard frame or make up the frame to suit. With your own framing, however, you can produce your own work and save money doing it over the longer term.

    An experienced picture framer, Gary Leete is the owner of Melbourne- based FrameCo, a company that specializes in DIY frame construction kits. For further details ph: (03) 9872 3600 or visit the website: http://www.clubframeco.com

    Tags: , , , ,
    Posted in Supplies | No Comments »

    « Older Entries
    Newer Entries »