Thread: Picture frames

Band clamps have worked for me in the past. Recently on a very large frame, I used dominos (like biscuits) to hold the corners and used clamps across the width/length to hold it steady as the glue dried.

Those V-style corner clamps give me the irits. I've never gotten them to work nicely (probably because my mitres aren't 100% accurate?)

Cheers,
Af.

When using band clamps, try laying a long piece of masking tape out on your bench, sticky side up. Arrange the 4 pieces of your frame along it lying end to end - the tape should be just a bit longer then the 4 pieces. Apply the glue. Then, starting at one end, roll it up, and wrap the little bit of extra tape around and squash it down. Now all four pieces will be hanging together nicely and behaving themselves while you fit the band clamp.

If your mitres are perfect, you can even omit the band clamp, and just use the tape if it has a bit of streatch.

I have never had any success with those clamps you're using. The only time I've seen them work well is when assembling cabinets and one is used at the top of each join, and one at the bottom. You then need 8 to clamp up a cabinet, which is cost-prohibitive.

cheers
Arron

Back in the old days, we did it with string. Wrap a piece of string around it tied off but not to tight as I'll explain. Then get 8 wooden blocks and insert 2 on each side in the middle. Then push each block to the edges until they get to the end of the pieces. Do the same on the other 3 sides. Here's a youtube of it Clamp a Picture Frame the Old Fashioned Way - YouTube. You don't need two at each place Just one pushed to each end will do the job against the string. I guess the string act as the second block that he has screwed down.

Fly, that's a great video. I think I'll be making up some wedges like that for my next frame.

thats a great video Fly - and thanks to the other responders......i wonder how those wedges work using the V nails rather than glue?

Originally Posted by _fly_

Back in the old days, we did it with string. Wrap a piece of string around it tied off but not to tight as I'll explain. Then get 8 wooden blocks and insert 2 on each side in the middle. Then push each block to the edges until they get to the end of the pieces. Do the same on the other 3 sides. Here's a youtube of it Clamp a Picture Frame the Old Fashioned Way - YouTube. You don't need two at each place Just one pushed to each end will do the job against the string. I guess the string act as the second block that he has screwed down.

I clamp up most of my frames that way (was shown it at a CAE course some time ago)
I use glue in the joints and later turn the frame over while still held with the string and then put the V nails in.

Hope that makes sense.

Great video. I wonder what would be the best way to make a bucket of wedges like that without loosing your fingers on the tablesaw.
Any ideas ?

cheers
Arron

Many thanks for that Fly, my next project is probably going to be some picture frames (SWMBO has a few things she has been hinting need to be framed), and that video tip is going to save me a lot of time and trouble, I think.

Cheers, Mike

Hey Adrian,

Have a look at the Frameco website, if you are going to do a few frames, they can teach you the best way, they also do classes, and they are in Melbourne.

Not a family member, but a happy customer.

HazzaB

thanks Harry - i may have convinced myself to buy one of their strap clamps..they are a little expensive but with the little wrap around and under corner peices i suspect this may work a treat.

One of the problems i was having i think comes down to some differences in the frame material - it seems there is about a 2mm difference in one of the dimensions - it doesnt sound like much but enough to make a difference between a nice tight mitre and a loose one.

Ill grab some more pine from Bunnies and make up some new framing stock making sure it is all the same and when i get the strap clamp i should be good to go. Frameco arent back from holidays until after the 11th Jan - so i have a little time to kill before then

Adrian

Arron, i would cut the wedges on a bandsaw, lacking that i would use jobssite chippy method and clamp stock on bench or sawstool and rip on diag with circ saw, jig saw, ,there are also many methods to safely cut on table saw with taper jig, Milesy, the bunnys strap clamps work fine,and are cheap, cheers Rossco

Those what I call "Chinese junk shops" Those ones that have drill bits and bra's and plastic food containers also have the strap clamps quite cheap. I think I paid 6.99 at one for mine.

thanks guys ill find an el cheapo and give that a go - the frameco ones are over $120

I've seen (but never made) a variation on the U-Tube video posted by _Fly_ (4th post).

It was a base board (MDF for flatness) with two static edges set at 90º. The remainder of the baseboard was drilled in a grid of 10mm holes on 25mm centres.

The user had a few placeable strips of various lengths with 2 x 10mm dowel pegs such that he could arrange his frame against the static edges and insert the placeable strips.

Then he used the same wedge idea to tighten and hold everything together while the glue set.