How to Make Miter Clamps for a Wood Picture Frame

Perfect miter joints

You've made all the parts for your beautiful picture frame, cut the miters as perfect as perfect gets, and now it's time to add the glue. How exactly are you going to glue these miters without sacrificing your hard work? One slip and the whole project could be ruined. Commercial miter clamps are expensive and clumsy, so consider making a set of basic miter clamp jigs that ensure a perfect glue-up every time.

Things You'll Need

• 4 2-inch by 4-inch pieces of hardwood
• Sliding combination square
• Pencil
• Ruler
• Hand saw or band saw
• Sandpaper
• File
• 4 small bar clamps

Instructions

One Piece Makes Two Parts

1. Lay out a 90-degree angle on the face of a small scrap of wood that's roughly 2 inches wide by 4 inches long. The 90-degree angle should fall on the center of the length of the piece and go halfway up its width. Use a combination square to draw the angle. A combination square allows you to draw a perfect 90-degree angle without any measuring.

   If you don't have a combination square, measure the exact center of the length and width on the face of the board and trace a line that runs up and down the face. Measure out 1 inch on either side of the line on the bottom of the piece. Draw a line from the 1-inch mark to the center mark on the board using a ruler and pencil. You should end up with a small triangle.

2. Cut out the triangle piece using a hand saw or band saw. Keep a steady hand and follow the line carefully. It's important to end up with an even, clean cut. When finished, you'll have a small triangle and a board with a small triangle shape cut out. Mark and cut a separate piece for each miter joint.

   If there are some rough spots left after cutting, smooth them out with sandpaper or a file.

3. Place the scrap piece with the cutout on the outside of the picture frame miter joint. Lay the small triangle piece on the inside of the miter joint. Place a small bar clamp on the two flat surfaces of the pieces. Tighten the clamp slowly, making sure the miter joint comes together. Make sure the clamp handle is pointing out. This makes it easier to tighten.

Tips & Warnings

• Make several sets of these at once. That way you can make picture frames in batches and never run out of clamping jigs.

• Woodworking can be dangerous. Before using any tool, be sure to read and follow manufacturer's directions.

References

• Ron Hazelton