Thanks guys,
The frames are pretty easy to make once you get the hang of it - it has taken me 2 1/2 years to figure this out. However if I hadn't made the jig I posted I would still be at a loss and very frustrated making frames.
I can't tell you how much wood and time I have lost trying to make frames only to end up with 4 uneven, poorly angled pieces of wood that continued to fill my waste bucket! - I have 6 buckets filled with pieces of varying widths and lengths just from frame failures alone!
Now that I have the jig, I can usually make a frame within 15 mins or less.
I think I'm going to post a how to on my SSV blog - no video just some pics and an explanation
The reasons I use the 3/4" L molding are:
I have a router but am not comfortable using it - and with all the learning I'm doing I continually put off learning more about it time after time
I have a dado set for my table saw, but I get lazy in setting it up so I take the short road. Plus it also has a learning curve as well as an additional time investment in setting it up. If I were to stock pile frames, I would set up the dado and go that route for sure
Also without cutting, the L moldings leave a 1/8" gap at the bottom for the project pieces to fit into - if I need the full 1/4" they are easily cut down. The trick to using these however is cutting the correct side the correct direction LOL
With the jig I made, I can easily cut the outer frames, glue them and then cut the inner frame and glue them - I used to brad nail them to the outer frame, but now I just clue to save time by not having to fill the inner holes
Thanks all