The would not be amputee

The backroom/"attic" is cleaned up and the SALE is on.  Everything seems to be moving smoothly except for one more snag in the framing school saga.  I was informed yesterday there is no more room at the Denver framing school inn, which I had finally decided I would attend.  Despite my valiant attempt at persuasion (i.e. begging) and my willingness to accept even second-rate placement, I remain without a framer's school.  After that discovery, Owner and I had a quick chat about exactly what it is I need to be able to do frame-making-wise.  Somewhere in my head the gears shifted.  This has to get fixed, and it has to get fixed now.  I've tried to get into a framing school, and it hasn't worked, so it's time for me to take the bull by the horns or the moulding by the rabbet to put it in framing jargon.  I'm going to have to make it happen, and make it happen I will.  Owner has showed me the basics of measuring for and cutting a mat, how to join a frame, how to cut moulding and fit the frame with picture, mat and glazing.  Now, I have to perfect the skills.  Practice, practice practice!  Owner set out several mouldings on which I can practice, and I hope not to lose any digits in the process.  I'm crossing my fingers while I still have them.   

The Chopper!
Its blades are concealed
by plexi panels an allusion to safety.
I am not fooled.

The moulding cutter or CHOPPER is a terrifying beast with a mouth bearing two 6" long incisors ready to slice through whatever finds its way to its trap.  Literally these two teeth are giant razor blades that could quite easily sever a finger from a hand.  It would be a very nice 45 degree angle cut, but I hardly think that is a consolation for the loss of a body part.

One might have picked up on the fact that I have a little trepidation and anxiety about the chopper.  My concerns are twofold:  1) don't want to cut off a finger and 2) don't want to make bad cuts.  Losing a finger is just bad, period.  But think of  losing the ability to use the international symbol of disapproval!  That can be so handy in traffic.  Bad cuts mean joining is sloppy if even it is possible which means I should have just lit some cash on fire.  I think I can get through it.  After all since I don't have a framing school to go to yet, I have to get this all figured out.  The need to be TCB is high.  I feel certain I will have to be wearing a doo rag. 

I think I'll be pretty good at joining the frames since it requires a good deal of precision.  Plus, I really like things that fit together correctly.  I feel confident about mat cutting and the final fitting.  Cutting the glass doesn't scare me like it did now that the big cutter is operational.  We shall see how things progress, but I am hopeful about a good outcome. 

Owner doesn't think she is a very good teacher, but I disagree.  She doesn't beat the issues to death, and she is happy to set me out on my own to figure it out, which I prefer.  I have always far preferred learning by doing with a modicum of instruction.  I can always ask questions, and I am not working on anything to start with that a customer will ever see.   All-in-all, I'm feeling pretty good about how things are moving along.  So with that, I am headed to the shop where I hope we sell lots of frames and mats in the sale, and I hope I come home with all digits undisturbed!