16 Comments
User's avatar
Sidney Pratt's avatar

Can't count the number of times I had this problem. Now I clean twice, wait till the next day to put the dust cover on. Like they say "measure twice, cut once".

Lester Picker's avatar

Words of wisdom, for framing or for any woodworking.

Ken Smith's avatar

This is truly my least favorite part of selling my artwork - sometimes I won't notice that speck of dust until it's hanging in my booth at an art show! I never heard of drafting brushes and just ordered a horsehair one on Amazon. Hopefully this will help - thanks!

Lester Picker's avatar

Ken, I really do think the brush is indispensable. It is without question THE most used tool in the studio. But for framing it really needs to be paired with the vacuum brush (multiple passes).

Ken Smith's avatar

Thanks for the tip! I have a compact vacuum with a brush head that I will use for this purpose as well.

Carol & Charlie's avatar

Hey Less,

I've still got my "drafting" brush from high school. Put it to work all the time. Charlie Johnson

Lester Picker's avatar

Yes, they sure do last!

Kandace Gittleman's avatar

I do most of my own framing and unfortunately I have experienced this dust issue numerous times. Thanks for the info!

Dick Handshaw's avatar

You have friends in North Carolina? Bless your heart.

Lester Picker's avatar

OMG! You're right. I meant to leave out the r.

Stu Chandler's avatar

I learned so much from your framing workshop that I have put into practice in my studio, but I had a feeling that there was something important I was missing! My brush arrived yesterday and it is already a vital part of my workflow. Thanks to Bob for encouraging this post!

Lester Picker's avatar

Hi Stu,

Your feeling was prescient! Glad to hear the brush is now entrenched in your workflow.

Bruce M. Herman's avatar

Dust?!?! No issue. No, the real problem is pet hair. The more pets, the hairier!

Lester Picker's avatar

Okay, pray tell what pets are roaming through your house.

Bruce M. Herman's avatar

A chocolate lab and a cat found as a ~5 week old kitten in a shed and of uncertain ancestry. After 11 years, I've given up trying to convince the cat to stay off the drafting table where I mat and frame. At least he doesn't climb on my printer when it's working.

Lester Picker's avatar

Cats get dementia, too. Give him another year or two and he'll no doubt add a third dimension to your fresh out of the printer artwork.