My wife is framing artwork and told me she will spend about $130 for a
16x20" wooden frame.Aghast, I asked for a breakdown. She replied:
- Frame =
- Mat =
- Glass/plexiglass = /
- Picture backing =
- Frame backing =
- Assembly = free (she will do the work)
Since she has actually done this quite a few times, I'm not disputing her figures (they must be correct, for her); but I can't but help believe that if I made the frame (with the right tools), it wouldn't cost me half of what she's planning on spending.
Do any of you have experience building picture frames?
I figure something like: FRAME: I'd uy pre-cut molding by the board foot (prices will vary); I'd pay the one-time charge for four L-clamps (I already have a chop saw); Glue, nails, brads, screws, wire (for hanging), eyehooks, etc, would be negligible.
MAT: I would buy the uncut mat; I realize these are expensive (acid free and all that); but they're amazingly expensive for a lousy piece of paper! Then I'd buy a mat-cutting tool (one-time charge).
GLASS/PLEXIGLASS: I'd buy the thinnest cheapest clearest stuff that works. To cut, I'd use a saw or knife or a cheap glass cutter on a flat table.
PICTURE BACKING: Unless it needs to be acid resistant, I'd dig into my trash pile for a thin piece of cardboard.
FRAME BACKING: I'd buy a cheap roll of plain brown wrapping paper to glue onto the entire back of the frame.
Have any of you done this before? Can it possibly cost her $130 but cost me less than half that (amortizing the one-time tool costs).
Any advice from the experienced?