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Tools & Materials

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Olivia EllisonOlivia Ellison

Outfitting a Mount Making Workshop

Hello!


I have an exciting opportunity to design and outfit a mount-making workshop from the ground up for a museum opening in Spring 2026! I'm currently developing a comprehensive purchase list for tools, equipment, and materials, using the IMF Tools and Equipment list PDF as a starting base. However, I wanted to gather insights from experienced mount makers. Are there any essential tools or materials that aren't on the IMF list that you've found invaluable? Or are there any tools you've been dreaming of adding to your workshop? Your expertise would be greatly appreciated!


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Sam.Chandler
Nov 10

Hi Olivia

The team I have just joined are in a similar situation in which we, fingers crossed, will be pulling together a new workshop very soon and would be very keen to hear more about your experience and any suggestions or pit falls you have come across.


Also interested to hear of any suggestion's others have for must have tools!


I am new to mount making and still finding my way so have spent many, many afternoons on IMF absorbing content.


Many thanks,

Sam

mmontcalmmmontcalm
mmontcalm

Survey: Display supports for books

Dear all,

Do you work directly or tangentially with the display of open books?

If so, I would be very grateful for your participation in this survey!


Survey: Display supports for books

This survey is part of research into practices of providing supports for open books on display. The survey aims to gauge the structural and material options that are available to people working in various types of institutions to prepare books to be displayed open. Additionally, it seeks to identify issues involving the interests of various stakeholders.

The survey should take approximately 15-30 minutes to complete, any information is relevant, so thank you for your participation!


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stefan.hurlburtstefan.hurlburt

Bench Mill

Curious how many mount makers have a bench top mill in their shop and how often they utilize it for Mount making.

I have been considering adding one to my shop but have been hesitant as I do not have machining experience so this would be something to learn on as well.

I could see it primarily being used for drilling, but one of those tools I will find more and more uses for as I learn it.


Is this a piece of equipment I could successfully pick up with time and practice?

Any recommendations on models? I am currently looking at HiTorque Mini Mill for Sale | Mini Milling Machine for Sale (littlemachineshop.com)

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jamie
jamie
Jul 11, 2024
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I find my vertical milling machine to be one of my most valued and used tools in the shop. Mostly is performs as a precision drill press but I've also used it for slotting, milling steps in materials, surfacing, and much more. I have an older Clausing 8520 small floor mill and have not used the benchtop type you are looking at, but feel you should have plenty of capacity in those smaller machines for the types of work we encounter in most mountmaking.

The operation of a machine like that should be relatively intutive and there are lots of videos available to help you get oriented. A good vise, selection of cutters, and measuring tools like calipers and dial indicators will all help you do your best work. Getting to know spindle and feed speeds and how they effect different materials will come with practice. I work mostly with brass, but machine steel, acrylic, and occasionally wood on mine as well. I'd hate to be without it.


Good luck,

Jamie

Calvin.FrankCalvin.Frank

Archival Bondo?

Hi all,


In the past (20-30 years ago).. our mount maker regularly used Bondo to create custom cavities/castings of the bottoms of objects to use as stability supports in casework. We are now looking to do something similar but are needing an archival-friendly version of this product. So far all we have found is the Aves Apoxie Sculpt and found it to be too doughy for this application and need something more malleable. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

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shaynna
Apr 17

I've not used Aves, so I'm not sure how the texture would compare, but I usually use Milliput for this application. It's not cheap, but conservators are fine with it, and you can easily sand it and cover it with archival felt. I like the results I get from it. Happy mountmaking!

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