How to Make a Picture Frame Molding
Custom picture frames add value and beauty to art or photographs, but are expensive to have created. Creating your own picture frame moldings is a way to make very personal custom frames crafted by your own hand and at much less expense. Picture frame moldings require only simple woodworking tools to be created and basic woodworking knowledge.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Square
- Pencil
- Safety goggles
- Table saw
- Hardwood lumber
- Router (optional)
Instructions
-
-
1
Measure the height and length of the picture frame These measurements will be the inside dimensions of the frame moldings.
-
2
Determine your desired width for the frame. This dimension does not effect the inside dimensions that the photo or art will be mounted in; it is the outside case that surrounds it and can be customized to your personal design.
-
-
3
Wear the safety glasses and reduce your hardwood pieces to the width you have chosen if they are not already in that dimension. For example, if you have a 4 inch piece of oak and are creating a 3-inch frame, reduce your wood by 1 inch using the table saw to the 3-inch width.
-
4
Mark 2 pieces of the hardwood to the length of the object you are framing, plus the width of the frame you have chosen. For example, if you have an 8-by-10 inch photo and you are creating a 2-inch wide frame, you will want to mark the wood to a length of 12 inches.
-
5
Mark 2 pieces for the top and bottom supports of the frame to the width of the object, plus the width dimension of your frame. Using the 8-by-10 example, this would mean 2 pieces that are 10 inches long.
-
6
Cut the 4 pieces to correct length using the table saw.
-
7
Set your table saw to 1/4 inch depth. Mark all 4 of the pieces you cut 1/2 inch from one edge. Use the square to mark a cut line. Run each piece down the table saw on the 1/2 line, making a line cut.
-
8
Reset the table saw to 1/2 inch depth. Turn the pieces of wood on edge and cut along the edge adjacent to where you just made the line cut, resulting in removing a section of the wood in an L shape when the cut is made, called a rabbet. When the frame is put together, this will create the ledge that fits the photo or art into the frame.
-
9
Use the square to mark 45-degree angles on the edge of each piece, with the inside corner starting on the edge of the wood where the rabbet was created. Cut each piece.
-
10
Router a groove or design into the wood of the frame, if desired.
-
11
Glue each 45-degree angled edge, then clamp together. Allow to dry completely.
-
1
References
- Photo Credit Stockbyte/Stockbyte/Getty Images
