Tips for Beginners When Buying Used Picture Framing Equipment

Have you been trying to make picture frames for a while or just getting started recently?

Whether you’re an experienced framer or a total novice, you may want to save some money. You can do this by buying used picture framing equipment instead of buying new tools. It is possible to save a lot of money, but it is very important to choose the right equipment to buy and get your tools from trusted sources.

It might be a good idea to try to save some money by buying used equipment, but it’s also important not to buy just any old tool you can find. You will be able to find many sellers on the Internet and in the classified ads. If you want to meet the vendors in person, you can visit several weekend markets. Keep in mind that some used picture framing items can be a complete waste of money rather than a good investment.

There’s a big difference between the kind of tools you need if you’re a professional custom framer and the kind of tools you need if you’re just framing as a hobby. Professionals generally lease or purchase new framing equipment of the type they need rather than risk getting something that is no longer used.

I recently purchased a vertical glass cutter from an online auction by placing a bid before I had a chance to go look at the item. The photo looked good and I knew the brand was trustworthy because I had used one before. I didn’t know that one of the cutting heads used to trim the backing boards was missing and that the manufacturer no longer serviced that model. It still cuts glass very well but would have been even better with the extra head.

You cannot afford to buy useless tools that cannot be used for your picture framing projects and this is why you should always do your homework regarding the machines you are trying to purchase. Often it makes sense to visit professional framing shops and framing suppliers to ask if they have any second hand equipment available. They will be able to understand your needs and meet your demands and you will have the opportunity to inspect the items before purchasing. Everyone will be happy with such a deal as you will save money and make a new contact that they can help out in the future.

You might be wondering how old framing tools can get before you end up getting worthless equipment. The age of the equipment doesn’t really matter, but the quality and reliability do. Well-maintained tools are often better than newer tools that have been neglected. Some tools can be reconditioned. The old style C&H Matcutter is a good example of a reliable manual mat cutter, but it has problems when the brass bushings wear down with use. These bushings can be easily replaced, giving the machine many more years of life. Since almost all modern professional picture framers use CMC computer controlled mount cutters, there are a large number of second hand manual machines on the market. Depending on the type of framing you intend to do, a second hand mat cutter might be worth considering rather than, say, a new Logan Mat cutter for hobby picture framers. I really like Logan cutters for people who want simplicity and only require low volume production, but if you are a serious prospective custom framer then a used Fletcher or Keencut mat cutter would serve you better.

Try to find some used picture framing equipment to own for just a small outlay. Remember though, you’ll soon forget the price if you’re making quality photo frames and that’s what you need to focus on instead of saving a few bucks and gaining a world of pain.