Creating a Simple Picture Frame with Splined Corner Miters

Looking to craft a stunning picture frame for your favorite artwork? This project, designed and created by Steve Ramsey from Woodworking for Mere Mortals, is a perfect blend of simplicity and elegance. Whether you’re a seasoned woodworker or a beginner, this guide will walk you through the steps to create a beautiful frame that enhances your art without overshadowing it.

Materials and Tools Needed

  • Walnut wood (or wood of your choice)
  • Plywood (for backer board)
  • Acrylic plexiglass (for the front cover)
  • Wood glue
  • Strap clamp
  • Dovetail saw
  • Flush trim saw
  • Router with a chamfer bit
  • Miter sled
  • Sandpaper
  • Wood finish (spray lacquer or your choice)

Step 1: Prepare Your Artwork

Steve begins by selecting a beautiful print called “Escape from P” by Herb Kawaii Kane. The first step is to ensure the frame will complement the artwork without taking away from it. It’s essential to cut the frame pieces to match the artwork closely.

Artwork ready for framing

Step 2: Cut the Frame Pieces

Using a miter sled, Steve sets out to cut perfect 45° miters on each corner of the frame. The miter sled helps ensure accuracy, making it easier to create clean joints.

Cutting frame pieces with a miter sled

He starts with the two long pieces, cutting them slightly longer than necessary. After cutting, he marks the ends to ensure consistency when cutting the shorter pieces.

Marking frame pieces for accuracy

Step 3: Achieve Perfect Lengths

To ensure both frame pieces match perfectly, Steve lines them up by feel, adjusting until they are flush. This method saves time and prevents the hassle of setting up jigs for just two pieces.

Aligning frame pieces by feel

Step 4: Create Rabbets for the Artwork

Next, Steve cuts rabbets along the edges of each frame piece to accommodate the artwork. This involves making multiple passes over the blade with the fence adjusted each time to widen the rabbet.

Cutting rabbets on the frame pieces

Step 5: Test the Fit

After cutting the rabbets, Steve tests the fit with the artwork to ensure there is enough overlap around the edges. He also prepares a backer board using thin plywood to support the artwork.

Testing the fit of the artwork in the frame

Step 6: Assemble the Frame

Using a strap clamp, Steve temporarily holds the frame together while checking the inside measurements. He emphasizes not to crank down the clamp too hard to avoid distorting the miters.

Clamping the frame together

Step 7: Reinforce with Splines

For added strength and a decorative touch, Steve decides to add splines in the corners. He uses a dovetail saw to cut slots for the splines, ensuring they fit snugly.

Cutting spline slots in the frame corners

Step 8: Create and Insert Splines

After cutting the spline slots, Steve uses scrap wood to create the splines. He carefully fits them into the slots and trims them flush with the frame edges.

Inserting splines into the frame corners

Step 9: Finish the Frame

To complete the project, Steve adds a decorative chamfer along the edges of the frame and finishes it with a few coats of spray lacquer. This gives the frame a sophisticated look while maintaining its simplicity.

Finishing the frame with spray lacquer

Step 10: Secure the Backing

Finally, Steve uses points to secure the backer board in place. This ensures the artwork is held firmly, ready to be displayed.

Securing the backing of the frame

With the frame complete, Steve expresses gratitude to his supporters on Patreon, emphasizing the importance of community in woodworking.

Now, you have a beautifully crafted picture frame that showcases your artwork perfectly.

Video

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