How to Make Your Own Mirror Frame

Early man looked into the water to see his reflection. Today people only need to look to the wall of their home to see themselves. Mirrors are all around us. As the world becomes more connected, it is easier to find the things you may want to decorate your home. When you find the mirror that you want, now you can get it and add your own frame. Here you will learn to build your own frame.

Things You'll Need

• Table saw with fine tooth blade
• Tape measure
• Carpenter's square
• Pencil
• 4 boards (1 inch by 2 inches by 4 feet)
• Finishing hammer
• Finishing brads (1 inch)
• 4 "L" brackets (3 by 3 inches)
• Mirror hanging bracket
• 1 mirror (3 by 3 feet)
• Palm sander with fine sandpaper
• Paint brush
• 1 pint latex enamel paint (any color)
• Caulk gun and white silicone caulk
• Safety glasses
• Leather work gloves

Instructions

1. Use your palm sander to smooth the boards. Wipe the boards free of dust and debris. Lay the boards on newspaper. Paint one side and the edges of your boards with a very light coat of paint. Allow to dry for 1 hour, flip them over, and lightly paint the other side.

2. Use the tape measure to adjust the guide on your table saw so that it is 5/8 of an inch away from the blade. Adjust the blade on your table saw so that it is 1/2 inch tall. Use a piece of scrap wood to hold a 1-by- 2 inch board (standing on the 1-inch edge) against your table saw guide and cut a groove from one end to the other. Repeat this process with the other three boards.

3. Raise your saw blade to 1 1/2 inches. Use your carpenter's square to mark a 45-degree angle at the end of one of your board. The grooved side should be shorter than the un-grooved side. Measure 3 feet from the short point, place a mark, and mark another 45-degree angle. Both short points should be on the grooved side. Use this board to mark the others to match. Cut all of your angles giving you four boards that measure 36 inches short-point to short-point.

4. Lay out your boards into a square with the grooves facing the inside of the square with the 45-degree angles meeting in the corners. Make sure that the grooves line up as they will be a little closer to one edge than the other. Place your "L" brackets in each corner and nail them down with the brads leaving one board free of the brackets.

5. Place your hanging bracket in the center of one board and nail it down with the brads. Squirt a small bead of caulk into the grooves of your boards. Slide your mirror face down into the grooves. Add caulk to the groove in the loose board, and slide it onto the mirror so that it matches up with the sides. Nail it down (gently so as not to break the mirror). Flip the mirror and use a clean, wet cloth to remove any excess caulk from the edges.

6. Caulk the joints in the frame and wipe away the excess with your wet cloth. Wait 1/2 hour and apply another coat of paint. Let dry for 1 hour and hang it in the location of your choice.

Tips & Warnings

• You an also use a rotary tool to shape the edges of your frame for a more decorative look.

• Power tools can be hazardous. Please read and follow the manufacturer's recommendations. Always wear safety glasses and work gloves when working with tools.