What is art? Critics and thinkers are totally free to discuss the concern endlessly, however we believe it’s pretty easy: If there’s a frame around it, then it’s art! Less easy– however not so intricate that you shouldn’t give it a try– is building your own photo frame. Beginning woodworkers enjoy this project, and for lots of others it can be a fantastic money-saver. Within only a weekend, provided you have access to a few basic tools, you can make a picture frame quality sealing tape to keep for the rest of your life.
TOOLS & MATERIALS
Table sawMiter sawWood routerMeasuring tapeWood glueHammerBrad nailsSandpaperPaintWood stainLinseed oil
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The following actions use in a general method no matter what kind of wood you wish to use (or happen to have on hand), or what size you would like the picture frame to be. But for the sake of simpleness in this tutorial, we’ll assume that you intend to develop an 11 ″ x 14 ″ photo frame from a 1 ″ x 4 ″ maple board that measures 4 feet long.
Action 1
Setting the table saw at 1-1/2 ″ (from the blade to the fence) double headed bear claw hangers, rip the wood board into two 4-foot-long pieces. These need to be exactly the exact same width, so pass the wider of the two through the table saw a 2nd time. (Of course, if you ‘d desired the frame wider or narrower, you would have set the table saw appropriately.).
Action 2.
With a router, cut a 1/2 ″ x 1/2 ″ rabbet– that is, a rectilinear groove– along one of the long sides of each of the two pieces. The picture is going to lie against the rabbet, so if you anticipate to frame an item (or to use a mat) of significant thickness, accommodate it by developing a more generous rabbet.
Action 3.
Utilize a miter saw to cut one end of both boards at a 45-degree angle, taking care to ensure that the rabbet runs along what is to become the within the frame. In other words, once you have ended up cutting an angle into each board, the rabbeted edges should be opposite the longer (and pointier) side.
Step 4.
Step the longer side of the picture you are going to frame; add 1/16 ″ to that measurement. Then choose one of the two boards and transfer that overall measurement to its rabbeted side, marking the range. Here, cut a 45-degree angle, this time in the direction opposite to the preliminary angled cut. Next, put the 2nd board over the one into which you have actually recently cut a 2nd angle. Mark the 2nd board, then sufficed so that you have a set of similar pieces. On the two remaining pieces, repeat the procedure of measuring, marking, and cutting, this time utilizing as a guide the much shorter side of the picture to be framed. Make certain you’re keeping the rabbeted side to the within the frame.
Step 5.
Put together the 4 pieces into a rectangular shape, keeping in mind constantly to position the rabbet groove to the inside. Dab wood glue onto each joint, then fasten the pieces together by means of brad nails. 2 nails near to each outdoors corner ought to do the trick. Wipe away any excess glue immediately. Let dry overnight.
Action 6.
Sand the picture frame security hardware, then clean away any sawdust with a damp cloth. As soon as you have allowed adequate time for the wood to dry completely, it’s safe to use your choice of finish. (If you’re building with attractive lumber, I recommend finishing with linseed oil.) Having actually ended up the piece, flip it over so the back (rabbeted) side is facing up. Fit a piece of cut-to-size glass into the frame, then lay the picture face down on the glass and location a support over it. You have a number of alternatives for securing everything in place, consisting of glazing points or brads.
Congratulations, you’ve created a work of art: You might even choose to leave the picture out entirely, due to the fact that the frame itself is such a masterpiece!
