AboutH Carl Trimble III Expertise One of a kind custom design stained glass as well as other glass art methods and the restoration of stained glass. Inquiries regarding leaded, beveled, etched sand carved, and fused glass techniques are invited. Other methods, technical questions,history of the art and supply source inquiries also welcome. Information on the pro's and con's of protective glazing of stained glass windows. Visit www.TrimbleStudios.com for more complete information.
Experience Over forty years experience in a wide range of techniques that include "stained glass", wood working and metal fabrication. Have worked from my own full service studio since 1977. Many major residential, commercial and religious installations from Charlottesville, Virginia and Atlanta, Georgia to San Diego California as well as much of the State of Texas
Organizations Professional Affiliate,Certified Trainer, and Preferred Provider for the American Institute of Architects (AIA, Dallas, Texas. Also a member of the National Association of Church Design/Builders(NACDB). I have served on the Board of Directors of both the Texas Fine Arts Association and the Texas Visual Arts Association
Education/Credentials Bachelor of Fine Arts, The University of Texas, Tyler. Master of Fine Arts, The University of North Texas, Denton. Just a few hours short of a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Texas at Austin.
Awards and Honors: Many first place and best of show awards in both stained glass and fine arts competitions. Steady commission work for the past ten years has obviated any recent competitive activity.
Past/Present clients: Most recent major commission is for the Criswell Center, First Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas; First Presbyterian Church, Denton, Texas; and St. John the Apostle Catholic Church in Terrell, Texas
Question Hi Carl - I've never built a wooden frame for a project before, but thought I'd like to start. I just bought some 1" oak framing stock with a 5/16" wide x 3/8" deep channel. I have a table saw and will cut mitered corners for the frame. I need some direction in assembling the frame. This is for a small piece (18"x16"), but I still think I'll probably need some small finish nails in addition to glue. What type of glue do I use? I've read that a strap clamp is the way to go in order to hold the frame together while the glue dries. Any advice on that? I'm assuming (bad word) that I build the frame right on the zinc-framed panel. Please advise. I understand I have to hang the panel from the sides, not the top, and have the hardware for that. Is the procedure the same for all-sized panels that will be hung independent of an existing window? As usual, your advice will be greatly appreciated.
Answer Claudia,
First of all,"How is my favorite on-liine student?"
You seem to be on the right track for your framing. The corners will need to be nailed as well as glued. Nail from the vertical to the horizontal frame pieces. Probably the best glue would be "Gorilla Glue" available at any lumber or hardware supply store. The strap clamp is very good, but there are metal corner clamps that do an even better job and will hold your corners in place while you do the nailing. Small 3/4" finishing nails should be adequate for the dimension you stated. Obviouslly, larger frames will need a larger finishing nail. Be sure to counter sink the nail heads and fill with an appropriate wood putty. You might also consider using a router to put a finishing decorative border on either the inside or outside edge of the frame. Harbor Freight usually has these on hand as will most well stocked hardware or woodworking stores.
I would build the frame indepently from the panel, but use the dimensions of the panel plus about a 1/8" allowance for fitting purposes.
Since you have a table saw, why not by some oak planks and make your own framing. That way you can make them to any dimension you want. 1" width might be to narrow for larger panels and you might want to make your rabbet larger( both wider and deeper) to accomodate larger border lead or zinc and to give you an opportunity to make wooden stops that will hold the panel to the frame for a much more finished appearance. 4/4 or 5/4 thickness of the wood would be ideal and would give you a lot of flexibility in your configuration of the frame. Any good wood store that caters to woodworkers will be able to provide these dimensions and give you more information. You won't likely find these dimensions at Lowe's or Home Depot.
BTW, how about sending a picture of you and your work so I can have a better idea of who my student is.
