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MOUNTING A PICTURE
As I mentioned in the last issue I will
reproduce an article that Eric Horne produced for the Marquetarian
some time ago on Mounting a Picture. The article itself was eight pages
long so I will not be able to reproduce it in one go but it is a skill that
needs to be mastered to produce a satisfactory finish after the hours of
cutting. The article will include tools required, preparing the baseboard,
fixing stringers and borders, edging, backing and laying the picture ready
to finishing. As with my previous hints on finishing there is more than one
way to mount a picture and this is just one. Other methods may differ
slightly but you will find your own method through experience.
TOOLS
The tools required are few, a carpenters
set square, a (preferably) metal straight edge, ruler, HB Pencil, knife,
veneer tape and glue. An accurate carpenters square is an expensive item
ask at the Group and you might be able to borrow one. Again a good straight
edge is costly but aluminium channel for fixing shelving makes a very
accurate and cheap substitute.
PREPARATION
The picture must be square.
To ‘square’ a picture first ensure one edge is cut
straight with your straightedge. Mark the picture to size with a pencil
(don’t press too hard) and use the marks with the square to cut to size.
Keep your knife upright when cutting so that the edges of the picture are at
right angles and be careful when coming off at the bottom. Lower the blade
and make a separate cut through the edge. Then finish the cut. By doing
this you will prevent splitting along the grain as the blade comes off the
veneer. Next, carefully, remove any protective paper from the edges and
back of the picture. Your picture is now vulnerable to damage so be
careful.
Now decide if you want borders and/or
stringers. The borders should be cut from a straight grained piece of wood
unless another effect is required. Cut the borders at least a quarter inch
wider and at least one inch longer than required
THE BASEBOARD
Medium Density fibreboard is the most
suitable baseboard. It cuts and planes easily, is light and does not warp.
Multi-ply and chipboard can also be used but have their own problems Ensure
that one edge is perfectly straight then mark the board to the size required
with the square. Cut and plane the board to the correct size. If you
haven’t the tools ask someone at the Group to assist you. The size should
be such that the overall size of the finished picture with borders and
stringers attached allows for at least a quarter of an inch overlap all
round. Take particular care, as with the picture to ensure 90o
corners and flat straight edges.
FIXING STRINGERS TO THE BORDERS
Stringers are lengths of wood that
normally come in metre lengths and in various widths and colours. Attached
to the border between the picture the can enhance the overall effect. If
using more than one length ensure that each length is the same width as even
minuscule differences will show up where they mitre. Carefully apply a
ribbon of glue to the edge of the border and wait a short while for it to
become tacky. Hold the border flat on your cutting board or other flat
surface, bring the stringer into contact with the glued edge and press
together along the whole length. It’s a good tip to have some strips of
veneer tape or lo-tac sticky tape handy to hold the stringer to the border
once the whole length is stuck. Before sticking them together, if the
stringer is thicker than the border veneer make sure the flatter of the two
sides are placed on the base board. Don’t attempt to flatten the stringer
until later when along with the border it is stuck to the base board
otherwise damage can be done.
Next edition; laying the picture onto the base board
along with the ends, sides and back. |
