How to Make a Picture Frame DIY Woodworking

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MY FREE PLANS! (Mitersaw Jig)
freeimage.host/i/JcxQviF
MY FREE PLANS! (Spline Jig+Video)
• How To Make A Spline J...
Format/Size Website:
memory-box.co.uk/blog/picture...
Table Saw Jig:
• How to Make a Picture ...
(i also included some pointers in my free downloadable plans, to build this jig)
Clamps Used On My Tablesaw Jig:
www.harborfreight.com/500-lb-...
www.harborfreight.com/hand-to...
Frame Clamps I used:
www.harborfreight.com/1-inch-...
www.homedepot.com/p/BESSEY-St...
Format/Sizes
You can keep it simple with traditional sizes: 4x6, 5x7, and 8x10 - easy to ship and does not require too much material.
Each of the four sides has an outside, inside, and rabbit measurement. The rabbit is important because it needs to fit your glass or artwork.
Cutting
Rip your material down to its desired thickness, also known as your border measurement.
Rabbets
It's simplest to start by cutting your rabbit and profiles while you have a long straight piece. Rabbits can either be cut using the table saw or a router. At the tablesaw, its easier if your rabbits depth and width are the same. Set your blade height using a combination square. Its best to keep the rabbit scrap away from your fence to prevent kickback, so set your fence accordingly depending on your board thickness, so it trims away 1/4" and be mindful of the blade kerf.
You can also cut rabbits using a router. Handheld with a flush cut bit and that little guide attachment, or you can set it up in the router table. They also make rabbiting blades.
Profiles
there is no imaginable number of router bit combinations you can do to the outside and inside of your picture frame. start out with a cheap set that has a few and begin replacing the ones you use often with nicer bits.
Jigs
At the miter saw, you eliminate the chance of blow out and can mark common sizes right onto the jig. Its a simple piece of plywood screwed to another piece of plywood at 90 degrees. Make sure the base is wide enough so your miter saw doesnt cut completely through the jig, or be sure to secure both sides before your first 45 degree cut.
The table saw also requires a jig, that I have been drooling over for a solid 6 months.
Glue up
laying down a stipe of painters tape, lining up your boards and glue them together. But we really want to strengthen the joint with some force.
Reinforcement
but gluing them is just isn't enough. to build a lasting family air loom you will need to reinforce the frame. A large number of jointing options exist for picture frame corners to strengthen their bond to one another. we are covering the well trusted spline.
You can cut splines as thin as your table saw blade, or by moving your fence you can make them thicker.
Tools
picture frames do not require any specialty tools. for the most basic frame; you can build a complete frame with only your tablesaw and some painters tape.
Hardware
My number one tip for hardware is to buy your frames from Dollar Tree for $1.25 and use the glass and backplate from those frames. the only catch is that your borders must be the same as the frame or it wont sit on a table the same. otherwise you can source glass online, at most home improvement or craft stores.
for the backs, cut a thin 1/4" plywood or use a thick cardstock. I see a lot of people using dowel rods instead of the traditional frame stand.
to keep the back in place you can purchase these turn buttons, or pick up one of these frame tools (I bought mine at Hobby Lobby) its like a staple gun, but it shoots the those little tabs into the rabbet.
hanging options include key slot holes, sawtooth hangers, d-rings, and traditional wire. and I spent two days wondering what the heck these are. its called a v clip and they are mounted to the wall, to hand your picture.. there are cheap kits you can buy and experiment with to find the one thats right for you.