Frames

[Buzz]

There has been some discussion on how to glue mitered frames. As most of us know, end gluing is not the strongest glue joint. I've done it this way for years and never had one fail yet. I size the miters first. Sizing is simply brushing on a thin layer of glue, I use an acid brush, and letting it dry. I then re-glue the miters and clamp the frame together. When dry I use either a Forstner or brad point drill of the proper size and drill a hole in the middle of each miter. I then fill the hole using a hot glue. Seems to work just fine for me.

[jim_mex]

Hi Buzz - that's an interesting technique I've not seen before - I must try it out

Thanks for sharing this info.

[wood-n-things]

That is different....I like splines and biscuits myself. Thanks for sharing your technique.

[sawdustus]

I use two different techniques to hold mitered frames together.

1. I have a Riobe biscuit joiner that uses mini biscuits. I cut the slots in the mitered ends, and put glue on the miters and in the slots. If you have tight miters to start with, they will not (perhaps never) come apart again.

2. If the frame is too narrow for even the mini biscuits, then I just glue the miters and after they have dried, I drill a small hole from the side into each miter and gently hammer in a brad that long enough to reach into the other board. Countersink the brads and fill with stainable or similar colored wood putty if you want it to almost completely disappear. If you don't want to putty the holes, just leave them since they are almost invisible anyway.

3. This is one I thought of while writing the other two. Use a contrasting spline at each corner instead of the biscuits or brads.

george

[Wood Dog]

Never seen that way before Buzz......thanks for sharing. I've been doing something similar to Sawdustus. Always something to learn on this forum. Fantastic.

[B Smith]

I too glue the corners on my frames let them dry. Then I drill 3/4 " holes in the middle of each mitre with a forestner bit. I then glue in 3/4 dowel plugs 1/8 " thick with a 1/8 " hole in the center to allow trapped air to vent . Because I use regular glass and 1/8 luan plywood for the backer the pictures tend to be heavier than normal. I make all my frames from maple which also adds to the weight.