How to Build a Picture Frame

45Comments

Something to consider is that a photo should never come in direct contact with the glass. Moisture from the air will cause a mold/foxing issue on your photo. A thin spacer between the photo and glass separating the two is absolutely necessary here.

CAM

Jun 2, at 11:04am

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Good luck buying a custom mold and stain job for only $59 at a frame shop w/glass and matte Its not the shop he is showing you, its the methods which can be applied. For only a few hundred (Miter saw and a router) I make large frames that would cost hundreds at professional frame shops. Technic surpasses equipment every time and that's where the skill comes into play not the equipment. (Although awesome equipment brings big smiles)

Info

May 16, at 3:15am

45Comments

I have spent HOURS trying to get mitred frame corners to match up. INSIDE corner jig - why didn't I think of that???

Dianne

Dec 30, at 6:05pm

45Comments

Great video. Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge and expertise in such a clear, straightforward manner. Framing shops charge an arm and a leg! So I'm keen to try out making my own. Thanks again :)

Carla

Oct 4, at 11:32pm

45Comments

I love the video. Can't wait to put it to good use.

Melody Drake

Sep 4, at 11:54pm

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Nice video. Very clear instructions and good looking picture frames.

Jim

Apr 7, at 3:12pm

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Loved the video; very inspiring!!!

gina spires

Mar 17, at 1:49pm

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I like the video of making picture frame.. I'm going to try it.. I'll let you know how it turns out.. I've made some all ready.. I use Oak wood.

Donald Miller

Feb 29, at 9:04pm

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iI bet none of you guys win the sweepstakes. come on ryobi. he he haw haw lol

kelly sexton

Feb 27, at 8:10pm

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I have built most everything from shelves to a barn for livestock, but have never thought of my own custom frame. My wife is always trying to frame things for our home such as the gloves that she wore for our wedding. However, she can never find the right frame. Now thanks to you guys that's no longer an issue. Ron's instructions made it fast and amazingly simple to build exactly what my wife had in mind. Thank you Ron!!!

Jason Neri

Feb 26, at 8:03am

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I used oak trim and cut oak strips 1/4" or so thick with a relief of 1/4" for the glass and matting. I used a water proof glue (which is more resistant to changes in humidity as I live in Florida.) I bought 90 degree clamps, used a "chop" saw with masking tape to enable clean cuts for the joins. Once the pieces were cut, they were placed in the 90 degree clamps and stabilized with blocking. I then pre-drilled the holes with very small bits; then disassembled, glued, re-clamped and nailed. I have also found that since I was pre-drilling, it is not much more of a problem to dowel the joins with two dowels per corner.

Eric

Feb 24, at 9:12pm

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Now all I need are $3Ks worth of tools a $ 250K workshop and I'm ready to make a frame that would cost me 59.00 to buy at a frame shop.

Seaglassman

Feb 18, at 3:20pm

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Thanks for the video! We were building a frame out of wood trim that we stained and were trying to figure out how to put the frame together easily so that it was square. I didn't want the pieces to move when I hit them with the brad nailer. The square piece of wood on top of a base was a great idea! I hunted up some wood and made my own and now have a nice looking and square glued and nailed frame. The only thing I would suggest is to put the square wood piece within a couple of inches of the corner of the base so that your nailer (in my case a brad nailer) won't be tipped up from level so that the nail can go in parallel to the frame. I put mine block in too far and when I was done found that two of my nails came through the back of the frame because my nailer couldn't be held level. I'll do it differently next time! Anyway, thanks for the great idea, it worked well!

Warren

Jan 28, at 6:26pm

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Ron In the past I have run a frame shop and there is no way I would put a frame together using your jig. You need a 90 degree vise instead. I have seen too many times where a misdirected nail from a nail gun has gone through the side of the frame. You need the frame clamped. and you need to get your hands out of the way so you do not put a nail through a finger. Do not hold the wood with one hand and use the nail gun with the other.

Danny

Jan 22, at 11:53am

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Hi, Ron! I love your show! You make everything look so easy! Of course, I realize that half the battle is in having the right tools for the project. I am building a nice collection of tools, but would like your input on the most versatile and useful tools to begin. Thanks so much! Keep on inspiring those of us who love the look and luxuriousness of "real" wood.

Judith K Dillon

Jan 15, at 9:27pm

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Please send me the cut list for this project. Looks great and easy to make.

Andrew

Jan 9, at 1:30pm

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hi ron i do a lot of wood work projects i really like this one my wife has a lot of family pictures thats 5x7 who would u put them in a frame with 8 or 10 pictures in one frame with a matt on the back.

jim schultz

Jan 8, at 7:58am

45Comments

Thanks for the video. I would love to see hints from woodworkers regarding glue cleanup. It seems to be a step that is almost always skipped on instructional videos, and yet as lots of us know it is important since glue residue can affect the way a piece accepts stain.

Jim Womeldorf

Jan 3, at 8:18am

45Comments

Top notch.. and great instructions, Sir.

Ramesh

Jan 3, at 1:49am

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Ron You do a good job of wearing safety glasses but the recent video on making a picture frame was good. I have two comments: I always use a push rod to move work thru a router - it would make short work of a finger and second, not all fo us have a pneumatic nailer - could you show how us poor guys might do the same job w/o a nailer. Also, one question - I noticed you placed your wood glue bottle upside down on something. Could you show what that is - it looks like really easy to use. Bob

Bob Hines

Jan 2, at 11:19am

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I don't get to see your tv show much, but i love the website and the e-mails. I've made a lot of pic frames, but it's so nice to get a fresh view on new techniques and styles. Keep up the good work. Thanks, Mark Millville, Pa

Mark

Dec 18, at 8:15am

45Comments

All well and good for relatively light weight, softwoods like poplar. Poplar and other softwoods are also very porous: allowing the adhesive to leach into the open end-grains and beyond the surface of the wood only. But, what about frames where their dimensions create weight to be addressed and what about hardwoods that are much less porous? Most adhesives don't perform adequately, thin wood edges may be too brittle for nail fasteners applied in the manner demonstrated and the dense, non-porous hardwoods perform more like glass than like a softwood. Also, softwoods forgive miters that aren't perfect while hardwoods do not. You can't expect this kind of corner fastening to hold its corners snug if boards naturally try to pull away: one from another. I'm seriously not just trying to blow holes in this demo. I have scoured the internet for many, many hours looking for a decent solution and/or effective fasteners and adhesives and have found very little indeed. I could really use some help with this. Thank you.

John

Dec 8, at 10:18pm

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Hi Ron, Great job with the picture frame video instructions! The only think that I think you could improve on is a little longer video with a few more details. Thanks for your great work! I love your TV show and your web site. Thanks, Bob

Bob

Nov 29, at 7:47pm

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Thanks Ron, I've built everything from picture frames to houses in the last 35 years, and I'm always picking up a new hint or two from you, as I did with this picture frame section.....in my trade I've found that you can always learn something new.....that's why I love what I do. Keep up the good work.

Paul Geller

Nov 20, at 12:39pm

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who ,that is not a wood craftsman, is going to spend a pocket full of money to make a picture frame that takes a bunch of clamps, router,and router table , table saw , even a shaper . so I think the idea is poor , a much better plan has got to be out there.

sam

Nov 12, at 1:31pm

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You never told the dimensions to cut the frame pieces. It seems as each of the three sections have different widths. Update this with that info would really help.

Patrick

Nov 7, at 12:43pm

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Hi Ron, I have been framing for many years and was anxious to see your video. It was good, but you seem to have left out some real important phases. If you are interested in my detailed list, feel free to contact me. There are also some tricks that I use to make things easier.

Loren Regan

Nov 6, at 2:09pm

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I specifically wanted help in how to determine the correct measurements for the picture, taking into consideration the mitered corners, but I couldn't find any direction on that.

Mel

Oct 8, at 7:52pm

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Ron, you have the clearest presentation that I have ever seen. I am a disabled veteran and love to do woodworking. I have to do a little at a time and your video allows me to come back and recheck things as I progress forward. Thanks so much, Ike

Ike Riddle

Sep 20, at 4:23pm

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Awesome, your video and explanation of directions has got me ready to start mine. Thank you very much.

Dianne Comber

Sep 14, at 5:27am

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I was so pleased to find your cable program today. I have been trying to get some of the local lumber businesses to give lessons to women. I gave up. So when I saw your program today while switching channels. I immediately came to the web page and watched . I loved it! I love working with wood but didn't know where to start. Thank you so much for you made it look so easy, and not mysterious. You were very clear on your instructions. I will be your follower, because I truly want to learn. I am excited about your program. Thanks again, Carol

Carol Glasscock

Sep 6, at 7:12pm

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You made a picture frame look easier then I thought. This is 1 project I'm looking foward to do. Thanks

Jon Schmidt

Sep 4, at 12:17pm

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Ron, I sure like this picture frame, can I get a material list? Or if it is already on your site please tell me how to get this information. I really like you site and refer to it frequently! Thanks so much! Chuck

Chuck Emery

Aug 28, at 11:11pm

45Comments

You made a great looking frame! But Im not sure how you got the exact size for what looked like a unique picture size. Keep giving out the tips that make woodworking more fun and easier.

Patrick M. Hogan

Aug 28, at 1:34pm

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This project will be helpful to me as I do some painting on canvas and need frames for my artwork. Thanks.

Alton Hughes

Aug 21, at 6:13am

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have admired your show for years, GREAT ! will start small a project....

Beverly Mayo

Aug 10, at 5:58am

45Comments

Great video, like the way you have a jig for all occasions. I always learn an easier and smarter way of getting projects done by following your methods. Great show, great tips.

Joe Fernandez

Jul 24, at 8:42am

45Comments

Would like to have a print button so that I can print out the instrutions without all the ads.

Joe Piers

Jul 10, at 2:01pm

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Enjoyed the new site and both projects . I plan to build several picture frames soon and this will help. Also like being able to watch projects in full screen.

JERRY COLSON

Jul 10, at 12:19pm

45Comments

Ron, Sorry, I've made quite a few frames in my 'hole-in-wall' workshop & it is NOT as easy, I say, as you make it look as "I" always have trouble getting exact frame size b-4 putting edges together,i.e., 8.5x11 frame & 3x6. I also use biscuits @45 degee corners to assemble & frame holder until glue dries. Always enjoy your show & tips, especially on the road. Best, JimBo Spring Twp., PA

JImBo

Jul 10, at 8:13am

45Comments

Thanks again Ron for shareing your wisdom! I am makeing 12" trivots out of glass wall tile, so hot pots and dishes do not sit right on my Corian counter tops. I was not thrilled to buy an expensive set of squares just to make a few, so your mdf jig is a wallet saver! Love the shooting jig for thin stock for routing. Would love to see a tour of your shop, the high walls remind me of a barn, but homey, great for big projects? Love the new web site too. When you run out of projects at your house feel free to start on mine!

Cory G

Jul 10, at 7:56am

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I wish you lived next door! Clear and precise directions and enhanced by the new website. I have you book marked. Thanks for all the help.

Chas McMullen

Jul 10, at 7:12am

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Glad to see the site upgrade. It looks much better and seems to work better as well. The making of a picture frame was quite timely for me as I was given a picture as a gift as well and need an appropriate good-looking frame for it. Thanks for the information.

Cliff Smith

Jul 10, at 6:20am

45Comments

I like your new site

Kenneth Bird

Jul 10, at 5:30am

45Comments

This new site seems to move faster & smother than ever before.Thanks......Scott

Scott Nicholson

Jul 10, at 1:15am

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How to Build a Picture Frame