subject: Home Improvement Tips - Making Picture Frames [print this page] Home Improvement Tips - Making Picture Frames
Picture Frame Making Tips
There's no need to restrict the number of pictures you hang or let pictures and photos gather dust until you are able to afford professional framing. With a couple of uncomplicated tools and materials and fundamental DIY abilities, it is possible to produce superb frames for minimum outlay. Use the following methods for prints and inexpensive original paintings.
1 - Trim the picture to remove any rough edges and pin holes.
2 - Work out the external measurements of the frame by making use of the following formula: Measure the width of the moulding, deducting the width of the rebate. Double this and add to the length and width measurements of the picture, adding an extra 3mm to the length and width to permit for clearance.
3 - Make sure the mitre box is firmly fixed and damp the moulding into place, protecting it from denting with pieces of card. It must lie flat within the mitre box, with the rebate edge underneath and facing away from you.
4 - Put the saw in the slot within the mitre box, and cut the first mitre at the end of one of the lengths of moulding.
5 - Mark in pencil the external length of the longest side (as calculated in step 2) so you know where to cut. Cut the second mitre, angled in the opposite direction.
6 - Using this length as a guide, measure and mitre the other lengthy side.
7 - Cut and mitre two pieces of moulding for the width.
8 - Return the pieces of moulding to the mitre box and clamp into place to ensure that they form a right-angled corner.
9 - Place a length of moulding in the vice with the longer outer edge uppermost and drill a tiny hole near the end of the moulding, but not too close to the edges or the wood will split. Drill the hole at one end only. Repeat at one end of the other three mouldings.
10 - Taking a lengthy piece of moulding, put it inside the vice and brush the cut edge of the undrilled end with glue. Place the pin-hole end of the shorter side on it to form two sides of the frame. Hammer in the pins, punch in and wipe away any glue that's squeezed out.
11 - Remove the two pieces carefully and lay flat to dry. Repeat with the other side and then assemble the frame.
12 - When dry, rub down with fine glass paper and stain or varnish the frame if required.
13 - Cut the backing from hardboard with a hand saw, marking out the cutting lines with a pencil and set square.
14 - Check that the glass and mount are clean and lay the frame face down on the table. Insert the glass into the rebate, followed by the mount, picture and hardboard. You may well need to use glazing sprigs to keep it all in place if it doesn't fill the rebate, or turnclips if it all lies flush with the surface. Seal the back with masking tape.
15 - Fix screw eyes or D rings to the back of the frame, one-third of the way down. Attach enough cord to come just below the top of the picture. Measure from the frame to the top of the picture wire or cord when fully stretched and mark the same point on the wall. Fix a picture hook to this point and hang the picture.
