Choosing the Right Miter Vise for Framing

Although it would seem like choosing a miter vise would be an easy decision, you want to make sure that you get a durable one that is strong enough to help you with a variety of picture framing tasks. Some of the best vises are made of cast iron. With proper care, these cast iron vises can withstand a lot of punishment, and they are strong enough to hold heavy wood or metal framing material, yet they are made in a way so they will not damage lighter materials. When you are framing, you need to pay special attention to your miter joints, as these can conceivably be where your picture frames are the most fragile. Cast iron vises are solid, since most of their parts are from a mold, and they are not made up of several different smaller parts. These make them durable, and worth the extra money that you might have to pay for them. In the long wrong, a cast iron miter vise is cost effective.

Most picture framers will make several different styles and sizes of frames, so many times they may need more than one style or size of vise. For smaller picture frames you may only need to use a vise that is made of a lighter material, such as a light type of metal. Having a lighter vise in addition to a cast iron vise makes sense if you make several small frames in a short amount of time. You can save your larger cast iron vise for medium to large size picture frames. No matter what material your vises are made from, however, you still want to take proper care of them, such as oiling them periodically and making sure that they are clean and dust-free. You also want to keep your vises in a dry place so that they are less likely to rust. This is true for most metal tools, and it is not unreasonable to use a dehumidifier in your home or business workshop where you keep your vises and the rest of your tools. Using a dehumidifier could mean getting more years of use from your vises and other metal equipment.

Most craft supply shops and craft supply wholesalers will be able to sell you the right kind of miter vise for your needs, and might even be able to advise you on how many and what types would be good for your framing business or hobby. You can have craft supply wholesalers send you catalogs to look through, or, since most of them will have a website, you can browse through their products online. Most likely you will also be able to order your vises online or over the phone, which is a lot more convenient for you. If you find a craft supply wholesaler that looks like it will have what you need, don't be afraid to call their customer service department and ask questions about their products, warranties, and return policies. If a craft supply wholesaler or online store does not have a customer service department, or they have one but their customer service reps are hard to reach or not helpful, find another supplier. You want to build a good business relationship right from the start.

About The Author:
Alphonso has been working in the home remodeling industry for last 5 years. Take advantage of his experience and written material on power tools at his website at http://www.improve-home.com

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Choosing the Right Miter Vise for Framing