The BEST Woodworking Jig Ever Made?

I get a million questions about this picture frame woodworking jig. I didn’t invent it; I first saw it in Fine Woodworking magazine years ago. I haven’t seen any detailed plans on how to make one. Since I’m asked so many questions about it, I decided to make this video in which I describe all of the major parts of the sled and how to make it. I do not sell build plans for how to make it. It’s not my design and I do not feel right about selling plans. This video is the best that I can do. I also didn’t build the sled during the video because, honestly, I don’t need a second one. If I decide to upgrade my jig and make a new one, I’ll film it and put out a video.
This jig is amazing for one major reason - you don’t need to do any math in order to make a picture frame. There is a mathematical formula for making a picture frame: Wide of the picture + (width of the frame x 2) - (width of the rabbet x 2) = the width of the picture frame. You would do the same to calculate the length of the frame.
I don’t want to do math unless it’s necessary, and this jig makes it so I don’t have to do any math. If I want my frame to hold an 8” wide picture then I set the jig’s stop block at 8” and cut my pieces. It’s that simple. Here’s how you can make your own picture frame jig.
Make some rails out of plastic or hardwood. Make them so that they fit in the miter slot of your table saw, and slightly under the table top surface. I used a 1/2” thick x 30” long x 15” wide piece of plywood for the top. Turn the plywood at an angle so that the front tip is perfectly inline with the saw blade. Move the table saw’s fence so that it’s against the plywood’s back corner. Use a large square, such as a framing square, to align the plywood at a 45-degree angle to the fence. Place a few drops of superglue on the rails and set the plywood on top of them. I like to have my rails stick out the front a bit.
I took a 36” long aluminum straight edge with a ruler on it and cut the tip off at a 45 degree angle. I cut the ruler in half at 27”. The small piece (28” to 36”) is used on one side of the jig, and the large section is used for the other side. I cut a 1/8’ thick piece of hardboard and cut it at 1” wide. I used some double sided tape to stick it to the underside of the ruler. At the drill press, I drilled a few holes in it. I put the small piece on the left side of the plywood jig, at a 45 degree angle to the blade. Screw the piece in place. Attach the larger ruler piece to the right side of the jig.
In order to make my stop block, I took a piece of plywood and cut a groove down the edge. The bottom of the stop block fits under the aluminum ruler. I attached a toggle clamp to the stop block. It can slide back and forth, letting me set it to the measurements on my ruler.
I’m confident that there are other ways to perform these tasks. This video is a glimpse into my shop and how I make things. If you want to follow along on my woodworking journey, make sure you subscribe and hit the notification bell so you are alerted to my videos.
Here’s a list of tools and materials that I used to make this project. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
•• Tools & Materials ••
1/2” plywood: amzn.to/33CUE5E
Cyanoacrylate glue: amzn.to/38VSy0V
Aluminum straight edge: amzn.to/3g3IjvW
Adhesive backed sandpaper: amzn.to/37ukMR5
Toggle Clamps: amzn.to/2JF5fpu
Framing square: amzn.to/3mAwu2O
Doubled sided tape: amzn.to/2I44Zjp
Hardboard: amzn.to/33E9mt0
•• My Links ••
My Amazon Store: www.amazon.com/shop/newtonmakes
Website: newtonmakes.com
Instagram: / newtonmakes
Facebook: / newtonmakes
Esty: www.etsy.com/shop/GenWoodworker

[@MakeSomething]

Appreciate the shout out!

[@MrHippobear]

Wouldn’t it be easier to just attach the sled to the runners, cut the initial groove, and attach a framing square 45 degrees to the cut? If you’re already having to use the saw to cut the aluminum, why not start with a perfect 90 degree framing square?

[@craiglenhard-rvrguyd]

All that talk about alignment makes me think that if I were to build this jig all I need to do is get the short side ruler at 45 to the blade. I would than take my framing square, place it on the short side and register the long ruler on the square. Done. I would assume a framing square is within a few thousandths of 90 degrees. Good explanation though.

[@sherrykacyon6669]

Use a aluminum carpenters square for a “perfect”90%.If you get a good square.

[@dwainlambrigger3769]

Kind of tough to watch. I guess I'd prefer to see the ACTUAL building of the jig and then the ACTUAL building of a frame. Thanks for posting though.

[@dragonofbattle]

Easier way to make the ruler and vastly simplify alignment is to use an aluminum carpenter square. Add the hardboard, align the square to the kerf and blade, screw it down and cut through. Presto, perfect 45 without having to align two separate pieces.

[@allanmclean6659]

One of the best tutorials! all info; no watching someone paint, hammer, or other waste activity. Best explanation I have seen.

[@jameslockwood5113]

Couldn’t you just screw an aluminum square to the sled and cut through it?

[@josephseewald4687]

Thanks for the video, the explanations are helpful. I would like to point out that for the jig, you do not need to spend too much time to get 2- perfect 45-degree sides, if you cut the first miter on the left then cut the length and the second miter on the right. What is important is that the two miters together come up to 90. ( which is easy to check with a framing square ). You can prove it on paper because if you follow the same cuts there is no way to not come up to 90 degrees in each corner. The Make something channel and Michael Alm version have a similar sled.

[@georgewoodruff8415]

Instead of two separate aluminum rulers, why not just cut the long framing square right at it's 45 degree corner?

[@davidrowe1254]

Thank you for taking the time to explain how this works in detail. Subscribed

[@bradalden6520]

Perfect timing! I'm doing picture frames for Christmas gifts. I will definitely build this before batching out the frames. Thanks for the great walk through!

[@steelandglass]

👍 the simplest approach to a complicated problem that’s repetitive and needs to be perfect every time is genius .... thank you for sharing. You’re right .. you will touch and effect many DIY’ers, I am one ! ✌️😎

[@julichambers9499]

Great 'How to' video and fab. jig. Really appreciate you taking the time to explain it in such detail, will definitely be having a go at making one for myself.

[@user-ev8jq5ly7i]

Thanks for all the tips. I do compare other videos about making this gig and find yours are the best.

[@deucerider430]

I always have had issues getting my sides the proper length for whatever picture I’m going to frame. Wow, this designs takes the trial and error out of it! Thank you!

[@normancoutts]

You have added some nice variations on this theme - thanks. All the best.

[@rockin5428]

Finally some who explains the simple adjustments to make exact 45's - so simple and it's perfect, thanks!

[@InterventionalWoodworking]

Great tutorial, especially having explained without building the jig piece by piece. I could follow every step without question. Thank you.

[@2432risingsun]

Outstanding video. Great explanation on how to make a sled.