carpet for framing table

chewie · #1 08-15-2012, 07:53 PM

any suggestions? I have a piece a deep green but I fear the backing is turning to dust and it feels dirty, so I'll have to get somethign else. anything to look for? padded, not, solid, speckled, etc.?? thanks

oh, and how bout them carpet squares? would that work?

DaveMak · #2 08-16-2012, 07:43 AM

Carpet is not a good surface for a framing table... whether you are talking about a joining table or a fitting table.

Small bits of glass slivers or other debris can be lodged hidden in the pile and scratch the frame finish. Also, carpet will hold any glue droppings and create a hard rift which too can be abrasive.

Corrugated cardboard is a bad surface too. It is very abrasive as is craft paper.

After fifty years of hanging around frame shops, I can tell you that my preferred surface is a white or black poly flute board... that is the plastic corrugated board that is available at sign shops that temporary signs are made from. A single 4'X8' sheet from a sign shop shouldn't cost you more than $ 10-12.00 and, if cared for, will last for many years.

Easily cleaned with glass cleaner, it is very simple to wipe down to remove any debris which is obvious on the surface. Also, any stains can be cleaned with acetone. It is relatively non-abrasive and if one side gets damaged it can be flipped over for a fresh surface. Poly flute board cuts easily so any cutting processes should be handled elsewhere so as not to slit the board.

Black is a wonderful surface because it shows any streaks on the glass when fitting. Black will usually run a little more money... maybe $ 5.00 more a sheet.

chewie · #3 08-16-2012, 10:52 AM

thank you! I live where there is NOTHING. I will try the bigger town, its 3 hours away so getting stuff like this is tricky.

and, this table is my do-all. what would you suggest to cut on? I have been using a piece of luan board, til it is almost shredded,; then put down new.

..I just made one simple call, score! a full sized sheet of black coroplast for $20, cut to my size, will be waiting for me in a coupla weeks when I have to go there anyhow for my daughter's appointment. yeah!

I did some googling and your opinion was that of many others. and as soon as I read it, I can certainly see a tiny shard of glass scratching a frame,

and esp since all stuff is ordered in and waited for, that'd be a potential deal breaker for me. thanks for warning me off the carpet. when I took it back up, my eyes went nuts again, the dust from it just was intolerable, and I dont' even have allergies per se! geesh. so this is a great solution, again, THANKS!!

DaveMak · #4 08-16-2012, 01:26 PM

Great! Glad you could find some and you will be happy you found the black.

I'm not sure what equipment you have for cutting or what type of framing you are doing, but if you have a rail cutter, such as a fletcher, C&H or another brand then always use scrap matboard length strips and adjust your blade depth to just cut through whatever you are cutting.

If you are cutting by hand using a steel rule then I'd consider either a large self healing cutting mat such as this:

Self Healing Cutting Mat

or, if you really don't want to spend the money now, use scrap mat board on top of an old piece of acrylic plexi on top of your work surface and just be careful not to cut too deep when you cut or you'll go through board and blades rather quickly.

Always have plenty of fresh, sharp blades on hand. In framing, happiness is a sharp blade.

DaveMak · #5 08-16-2012, 01:57 PM

Chewie... another forum you may want to visit for questions related to framing is The Grumble. It is a forum composed primarily of professional framers but all are welcome and there is a wealth of information there about custom framing if you use the search function. No need to register except if you want to post a question.

chewie · #6 08-16-2012, 02:15 PM

I troll the grumble on occasions, and that is one place that also said about not using carpet.

buying a cutting mat is on the wish list, just can't swing it right now. I just bought a logan 750, not as sweet as those you mentioned but will serve me well enough I hope. and I had forgotten that I will be using *that* to cut on (with a mat scrap!) rather than with a rule! :smack: I've been using a little alto's cutter for years, and am waiting on my logan via amazon.

I am just starting out to do some framing for others, in my home studio. not taking on any massive jobs, more like senior photos, some prints, that sort of thing. as I mentioned, there is nothing here, so no competition! have had several ppl ask me to frame something for them, but wasn't set up for them to come to my place. or so much more than my own stuff.

in the last 2 weeks, my hubs built a very large, heavy work table, I switched my studio and frame rooms, so I dont' have to have anyone walking thru my studio if I don't care to. had to do some purging, painting and cleaning, but I'm almost there. I will have a little show case area for my own paintings, and I already have tons of great light. we built this house ourselves a few years ago, the whole back half of the house was designed for me! yea! I'll finally be able to utilize my space fully, instead of just tippy toeing on the edges.

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