I realize that most of my blog posts focus around food, crafting, or my little boy. I do, however, have a fair knowledge of tools. After all, I was raised by a seamstress/crafter and a carpenter/plumber/electrician/jackofalltrades. I picked up a few things along the way. (PS, thanks Mom and Dad!) So, it should come as no surprise that I have held a number of different jobs, ranging from seamstress to bus driver to bartender, and a number of others in between. I have done two separate tours as a picture framer. I have to warn you, it is not an easy craft to give up, but one that is very difficult to maintain due to both the price of the implements and their relative size. I don’t know about you, but I don’t have room in my house for an upright glass cutter, a mat cutting system, a framing vice and a dry mount machine, not to mention an open, lint free, work space. I will still periodically do framing projects for myself, or as a favor to someone else, using what tools I have available to me, and it isn’t always fun.
Recently, I had occasion to put a project together for a co-worker that was meant for his wife’s Christmas present. He ordered all the materials, and I brought in my framing kit, and I nearly impaled myself trying to force the glazier’s points into the frame to finish it. I HATE glazier’s points. Always have. They are the folly of the devil, they are. For years I have been wanting to buy a handheld point driver, but could never justify the expense, as I do these projects so infrequently. But this time, I had had enough. As it turned out, the company that cut the mat for him, cut it wrong. We put the project together anyway, so he could give it to his wife, but then he talked to the company and they promised to re-cut it and send him a new one. In the interim, I did my homework. I picked a point driver (not my ideal choice, but come on, do I have an excuse to buy a $130 point driver? No.) and compared prices. Lo and behold! Not only did Hobby Lobby carry the model I wanted, but that week it was on sale for 30% off. I drive my happy ass up to Springfield and bought one. Now, this is definitely not the model I was spoiled enough to be able to use at the frame shops where I worked, but it’s a darn good option for the home framer. I finally got to try it out today when he brought in the replacement mat. I gleefully plucked out the glazier’s points (that were barely holding in place anyway) and assumed the position. (You know, the position where you are poised over an object, gun in hand, ready to pounce?) Carefully, I adjusted the position of the gun against the inside of the frame, and squeezed. Ahhhhhhh the soft “pop!” of a rigid point easily penetrating solid wood. Wonderful, just wonderful.
So, ladies and gents, should you ever have the need for a point driver, I can recommend this one. The Logan Dual-Drive Point Driver.
Recently, I had occasion to put a project together for a co-worker that was meant for his wife’s Christmas present. He ordered all the materials, and I brought in my framing kit, and I nearly impaled myself trying to force the glazier’s points into the frame to finish it. I HATE glazier’s points. Always have. They are the folly of the devil, they are. For years I have been wanting to buy a handheld point driver, but could never justify the expense, as I do these projects so infrequently. But this time, I had had enough. As it turned out, the company that cut the mat for him, cut it wrong. We put the project together anyway, so he could give it to his wife, but then he talked to the company and they promised to re-cut it and send him a new one. In the interim, I did my homework. I picked a point driver (not my ideal choice, but come on, do I have an excuse to buy a $130 point driver? No.) and compared prices. Lo and behold! Not only did Hobby Lobby carry the model I wanted, but that week it was on sale for 30% off. I drive my happy ass up to Springfield and bought one. Now, this is definitely not the model I was spoiled enough to be able to use at the frame shops where I worked, but it’s a darn good option for the home framer. I finally got to try it out today when he brought in the replacement mat. I gleefully plucked out the glazier’s points (that were barely holding in place anyway) and assumed the position. (You know, the position where you are poised over an object, gun in hand, ready to pounce?) Carefully, I adjusted the position of the gun against the inside of the frame, and squeezed. Ahhhhhhh the soft “pop!” of a rigid point easily penetrating solid wood. Wonderful, just wonderful.
So, ladies and gents, should you ever have the need for a point driver, I can recommend this one. The Logan Dual-Drive Point Driver.
3 comments:
I DO love it! Gotta getta tool fix. :-)
I just framed 80 pieces of my artwork for and art exhibit using my Logan dual point driver. I was pleased until about number 75 the darn thing froze up and won't shoot the points in anylonger. I've looked and found no jamming or anything, so I looked on the Lognawebsite to see if they give any tips. None. I guess I'll call their 1'800 number in the morning. I hope they give me some help because I have sure enjoyed using this fine little tool
Hey Anon - thanks for the tip! I'll have to keep an eye out for that!
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