Seek source for molding in Philadelphia area

Sylvia Castellanos · 05-24-2009, 10:35 AM

A frustrating experience has made me rethink my approach to framing. Yesterday I called Graphix Dimensions (pictureframes.com) to buy three large frames (involving lengths between 42 - 50"), only to find that above and beyond the regular shipping fee they wanted wanted to further impose a $25 oversize fee for each frame. As they were merely going to ship the unassembled segments, I argued that the segments of three frames could fit into one box, but in vain.

So now I want to explore buying 8' lengths of molding to make my own, especially for the larger pictures. Skill with a saw is not something I possess, but I've got a man that can cut the lengths for me, so that it's only a matter of assembling them.

I'd like to find a place to buy the molding that is local to me, anywhere within the Philadelphia metropolitan area, using the term broadly. Buying outside the area would bring shipping costs into the equation again. Obviously, too, I am looking for a place with good prices.

Does anyone have information they can share?

Sylvia Castellanos
http://www.sylviacastellanos.net

Steven Sweeney · 07-01-2009, 03:47 PM

Building your own frames

Steven Sweeney · 07-01-2009, 06:48 PM

I neglected to mention another mechanical fastener, namely, "V-nails." That's all I use on smaller frames. On large dimension, thick frames, these become less effective, unless you are able to seat them very deeply into the joint. This usually requires a press/driver (such as the one made by Logan). A hammer will do in a pinch, but pounding in the vicinity of close-tolerance miter joints that must remain aligned often leads to disappointment.

Sylvia Castellanos · 07-12-2009, 05:36 PM

Hello Steven,

I have come back from traveling to find some answers to my question that go far beyond anything I expected.

As it happens, I have discovered that there was a big misunderstanding between the company and me. I had always bought large canvases unassembled, but unbeknownst to me they had switched to selling them assembled with a $25 oversize package surcharge. I kept asking the salesperson how they could charge that for four segments of wood, and why couldn't they just box the pieces for the three frames together and imposes only one charge, and never did it dawn on her that she was talking about an assembled frame and I was talking about an unassembled one. Weeks later I thought to call back and ask, and discovered the mistake. They still let you make a special request that the segments be sent unassembled, and--can you believe?--when so sent, there is NO surcharge at all. So it went from $75 to $0.

I went ahead and bought the three frames, as this was the most efficient way to solve my immediate need. But that doesn't change my interest in putting together my own frames in the future.

I have to thank you for the weath of information you sent me and the time you took to write it all. I am going to save your email in a special file, because it will be basic to me when I get into it. It is helpful even in providing the terminology; now I don't have to talk about the "thingamagig" you use for this and that.

By the way, I see you live in Minnesota. To me as a East Coast resident, that is exotic and uncharted territory. But my son has been at the University of MN graduate school for a year now, and he has really enjoyed living there.

Again, thanks.

Sylvia Castellanos
http://www.sylviacastellanos.com

Steven Sweeney · 07-13-2009, 03:50 PM

Your comment that you buy "large canvases unassembled" makes me want to be sure that we're talking about the same thing.

If by "frame," you have meant stretcher bars on which you stretch the canvas itself, then my earlier comments won't be helpful. Stretcher bars are a different animal entirely, and would require another discussion.

I'm glad your son is enjoying Minnesota. It is indeed exotic and uncharted, though as of last week we were actually privileged to have not one but two U.S. Senators. You may have heard that all the children here are above average. I like the place very much, happy to be back here after a lot of years of wandering about, though I hail from -- and my first love remains -- the more exotic and uncharted western Montana Rockies. But I am on the east coast fairly often, as my son goes to college (and plays football) on Long Island and my daughter's in the Carolinas. I confess that those are both cultures rather foreign to me.

Sylvia Castellanos · 07-14-2009, 08:27 PM

Steven, my reference to buying large canvases unassembled was indeed a slip on my part. Just disregard it, because I meant to say frames. So all your advice will be very apropos.

Those of us who remain within the bounds of the East coast miss out on a lot of gorgeous scenery, such as what is probably the view out anyone's window in the ( very foreign and exotic to me) Montana Rockies.

I did hear that now, in addition to the ten thousand lakes, you also have two senators. May your newly-enlarged Congressional delegation prove, like MN's children, to be above average. And if it doesn't--hey, we'll have another federal election in less than one and a half years.

Sylvia Castellanos
http://www.sylviacastellanos.com