Building Frames
Intro
There are a variety of frames available as ready-made (pre-assembled) and sectional. You can get them in metal or wood. Some sources and a brief price comparison is available here.
It wasn't until I acquired a decent woodworking shop that I started building my own frames. There are several suppliers of both wood and metal frames that are sold as sections: you buy a pair of lengths to match each side of the piece. They are relatively inexpensive, and very easy to put together. However, the type of molding and the method I will describe is also relatively easy, and ripping your own molding is pretty cheap.
This does require some basic woodworking skills, and some woodworking tools. Along with that, there comes the assumption that you have a shop to work in. If that is all in place, we can proceed.
Safety First!
I can't stress how important it is to be safe. Misusing power tools can hurt you real bad. As Norm Abrams says, "learn how to properly use your power tools, and read and observe all safety instructions."
The most important thing is safety glasses. Get a pair, and wear them. Things will be flying around. I also use earplugs. Use featherboards and push sticks. Keep your tools sharp. This is often overlooked, but sharp blades cut better, and with less effort, and are much less inclined to throw something back at you at a very high speed.
Overview
Building frames proceeds in several steps. What follows is a general outline. The profile of the molding, shown below, is a basic, general purpose, plain, standard kind of profile. The depth can, of course, be adjusted to fit the need for deeper pieces or canvases. The width is 3/4 inch, so it can be made from standard 1-by stock.
- Tools
This section will give you an overview of what tools you need, what tools are nice to have, and some recommendations on blades and such.
- Materials
This is a general discussion of things not found in the tools category.
- First Cuts
This is taking the boards and cutting them to size, for width and depth. Done at the table saw.
- Creating the Profile
Again done at the table saw, this is creating the shape of the molding, or profile.
- Cutting to Length
This step involves cutting, or mitering the molding to the lengths for the frame. It can be done at the table saw, or at the miter saw.
- Joining
Depending on how you are joining, this is the gluing and clamping of the frame. I use a splined joint, which invloves another step at the table saw. Either way makes use of corner clamps, or a band clamp.
- Finishing
The final sanding, and the application of the finish. This is the stage that really takes some patience.
