Frames

[barb.j.enders]

I have cut some of the Botas patterns that are the size of a piece of standard paper.  Do you guys buy frames or make them?  If you make them, how? 

[JimErn]

I buy ready made frames from the dollar store most of the time

when I make a frame it is a hassle, but that is probably because I do not do it often enough.  Part of the issue with making frames is the trouble with 1) 45* corners, and 2) making opposite sides exactly equal.

There are a lot of u-tube video's on making a frame, most include a sled or set up on how to get the exact angle and length, view several and pick one method.  Or do it easier and make butt joints at the corners.

[RabidAlien]

I usually make my own frames, I prefer the look of wood frames vs the cheap mass-produced frames.  Or I'm just a glutton for punishment, one of the two. 

 

You'll need a miter saw or table saw to cut the sides to length, and a router or table saw to cut the offset/groove.  I usually measure the thickness of all of the layers of the project, and set my table saw to that height, then set the fence to however far I want the frame to overlap the edges of the project (theoretically, if I had the pattern centered, this will be the same all around.  Rarely works out that way for me, though!).  I'll run the frame piece through the saw, then flip it around and adjust fence/blade height to line up with the first cut.  Ideally, as the frame piece exits the saw blade, a small square/rectangle should separate.  If not, I'll adjust and re-run the piece through, otherwise you'll have to do a lot of sanding to make sure the frame is even.

At that point, I'll lop off a 45-degree piece from one end, put the project on it, and mark where the next 45-degree cut should be.  I usually give an extra 1/16" or so for comfort, and cut the other end of that side of the frame, making sure to cut the angles so that the groove is on the short side of the piece.  I'll cut all four sides, sand with 220 grit (unless I'm going for a rustic, rugged look), then glue and nailgun the frame together.  This is the point where I usually look at it and think "I should've stained that first".  LOL  Once its all stained and assembled, I'll hammer a hangar in, run a bead of wood glue around the inside corner of the frame, then drop the project in and put in a couple of little brackets to hold it in place (or staple gun it in, depends on how fancy I want to get and how wide the gap between frame/project ended up due to my mismeasuremen skillz).

[barb.j.enders]

1 hour ago, RabidAlien said:

I usually make my own frames, I prefer the look of wood frames vs the cheap mass-produced frames.  Or I'm just a glutton for punishment, one of the two. 

 

You'll need a miter saw or table saw to cut the sides to length, and a router or table saw to cut the offset/groove.  I usually measure the thickness of all of the layers of the project, and set my table saw to that height, then set the fence to however far I want the frame to overlap the edges of the project (theoretically, if I had the pattern centered, this will be the same all around.  Rarely works out that way for me, though!).  I'll run the frame piece through the saw, then flip it around and adjust fence/blade height to line up with the first cut.  Ideally, as the frame piece exits the saw blade, a small square/rectangle should separate.  If not, I'll adjust and re-run the piece through, otherwise you'll have to do a lot of sanding to make sure the frame is even.

At that point, I'll lop off a 45-degree piece from one end, put the project on it, and mark where the next 45-degree cut should be.  I usually give an extra 1/16" or so for comfort, and cut the other end of that side of the frame, making sure to cut the angles so that the groove is on the short side of the piece.  I'll cut all four sides, sand with 220 grit (unless I'm going for a rustic, rugged look), then glue and nailgun the frame together.  This is the point where I usually look at it and think "I should've stained that first".  LOL  Once its all stained and assembled, I'll hammer a hangar in, run a bead of wood glue around the inside corner of the frame, then drop the project in and put in a couple of little brackets to hold it in place (or staple gun it in, depends on how fancy I want to get and how wide the gap between frame/project ended up due to my mismeasuremen skillz).

well, I guess. I am off to buy!!!  Sounds like way too much work.

[RabidAlien]

2 hours ago, barb.j.enders said:

well, I guess. I am off to buy!!!  Sounds like way too much work.

The first handful I made were a pain, but once I got the miter saw, frames got a LOT easier.  Plus, if you have a routing table, you can cut the groove in one swift pass.

[dgman]

I have a Dubby sled for my table saw. It has an adjustable fence that I have set at precisely 45°, and has an adjustable stop so I can cut each pair of sides exactly the same length. I use this sled only for frames as I leave the fence adjusted to 45°.

[Rockytime]

Dubby Sled? What's that?

[John B]

G'day Barb,
I make my own from std 2" x 1" (42mm x 19mm) dressed pine. I cut the mitres on a mitre saw and rebate the rear to accept the cutting.
I did use some purchased frames for the 1st couple of pieces I made many years ago, but personal;y, I think that putting something I have spent hours cutting and finishing into a $5 or $10 frame cheapens it.

just re- read this, it seems like I'm a bit up myself.  You can purchase some nice ready made frames. You can also cut nice mitres on a hand mitre saw like this
Really depends upon how much money and time you wish to put in. Have fun what ever you decide Barb

BTW love the little robin sitting on the tap. I have that pattern in my todo list.

Edited June 13, 2020 by John B

[spirithorse]

Hi, Barb,
I recently put up oak trim around every window in my house which is exactly like making frames
on a much larger scale. As long as you cut the top and bottom close to the exact same length and
the sides as close to the exact same length as possible just make sure the angles are a true 45 degree
and make sure to cut the 45 degree angle in the correct direction to make the rectangle.
Just try a couple in cheap wood and I think you will amaze yourself!
Cutting the angles is definitely easier on a miter saw but, it can be done on the scrollsaw if you take your time
and the saw is set up very accurately.
Please give it a try and show us how well you did!

God Bless! Spirithorse

[barb.j.enders]

Well,  Went to Ikea yesterday and bought a few different frames.  Will need to trim the patterns to fit the 8x10 frame.  I have a miter saw that I will have to dig up to try my had at frame making.  I have the router attachment for my Dremel, but it really doesn't seem to work very well.

[Rockytime]

Here is my miter sled. Made from a few pieces of scrap wood on a cheap HF band saw. Very accurate too.

[barb.j.enders]

1 hour ago, Rockytime said:

Here is my miter sled. Made from a few pieces of scrap wood on a cheap HF band saw. Very accurate too.

If only I felt confident enough to build a jig!!

 

[Tomanydogs]

Hi Barb. I too have made my own frames, really not as hard as it looks. But the other thing I do is go to the second hand stores and buy frames usually for a dollar. Irene

[barb.j.enders]

Went to Ikea and bought a  couple of frames.  All under $5.  This was was $2.50. Had to trim the piece to 8x10.  Piece is sold!

Edited June 14, 2020 by barb.j.enders
Added info

[dgman]

On 6/12/2020 at 6:33 PM, Rockytime said:

Dubby Sled? What's that?

It’s a table saw sled manufactured by In-Line Industries. They always sold them at the woodworking shows. The fence is adjustable for any angle with a stop to cut repeatable lengths. I keep it set at a perfect 45°, and I never change it. It’s dedicated to picture frames. I drilled two holes in the edge and it hangs overhead on a joist.

Edited June 14, 2020 by dgman

[Rockytime]

Good looking sled! Thanks for the photos.

[crupiea]

I make frames like this.

They are the same 1/8" bb as the piece is.  

The inner black part and white part are cut from the same piece. I just paint the skinny one black and the other white. 

Then they outer black one is a bit larger.  Glue them all onto the back and each other basically.  I am left with some nice sized pieces that I use for other projects so it sort of feeds itself. 

[barb.j.enders]

8 hours ago, crupiea said:

I make frames like this.

They are the same 1/8" bb as the piece is.  

The inner black part and white part are cut from the same piece. I just paint the skinny one black and the other white. 

Then they outer black one is a bit larger.  Glue them all onto the back and each other basically.  I am left with some nice sized pieces that I use for other projects so it sort of feeds itself. 

Thanks for the idea!!

 

[Rockytime]

10 hours ago, crupiea said:

I make frames like this.

They are the same 1/8" bb as the piece is.  

The inner black part and white part are cut from the same piece. I just paint the skinny one black and the other white. 

Then they outer black one is a bit larger.  Glue them all onto the back and each other basically.  I am left with some nice sized pieces that I use for other projects so it sort of feeds itself. 

Cool picture!

[Fedido]

nice work! what I have doing is staining the wood because it is plywood and now, I stain the sides. I used to paint the sides black to match the back plate. On a few occasions, I have used a router to shape the sides. I have used different bits whenever the mood suits me. Anyways, I don't frame mine. 

[Oges]

On 6/13/2020 at 11:28 PM, barb.j.enders said:

Well,  Went to Ikea yesterday and bought a few different frames.  Will need to trim the patterns to fit the 8x10 frame.  I have a miter saw that I will have to dig up to try my had at frame making.  I have the router attachment for my Dremel, but it really doesn't seem to work very well.

You could try buying picture frame moulding, that should eliminate the router part of it anyway