Framed Cuttings

[Lakelad]

Just wondering if you always use glass or something clear in front of framed cuttings? If so what do you use besides glass, so often glass makes the protect heavy. I have put them under glass and sometimes used no covering and got to wondering what others do.
Gary

[dgman]

Hey Gary, I make most of my own frames and I never use glass. I think glass makes the project look to antiseptic. On the other hand, glass keeps the dust out of the cutting, but I prefer not to use glass.

[GrayBeard]

No glass in mine!
Like the 'natural look'!

~~~GB~~~

[beginner]

No glass in mine either

[julief]

I make my own frames and do use glass.  I don't want the dust in the fretwork.

[kalipbean]

I make my own frames from 1/4" wood. I do a lot of baltic birch plywood and use all sorts of exotic wood for frames. Wenge, morado, zebrawood...etc. Looks a lot better than store bought frames w/ glass.

[Lakelad]

Thanks for your input, I tend to prefer the no glass solution. I have just recently started making my own frames as well.
Gary

[Rapid Roger]

If you do want to use glass to keep the cutting clean, try Plexiglas. It can be purchased at a big box store and cut with a utility knife or even the scroll saw if you cut with a slow speed. It is lighter in weight and cheaper than real glass and can be purchased in thinner thicknesses.
If you ever cut Plexiglas on your saw, keep the speed down and cut slowly to avoid heat. It will melt and close back up trapping your blade in the middle. DAMHIKT 

Rog

[GrayBeard]

Kalipbean...how do you make frames from 1/4" wood? Seems rather thin for a frame.

~~~GB~~~

[kalipbean]

I just use a table saw and cut them to the width I need. I use the 1/4" on the front and the back. It actually comes out quite nice. I don't have a mitre saw so its just square ends but still works nice. Here's a couple sample pics of projects ive done (the one is mitred, borrowed my dads mitre saw for that one)