Easy way to make picture frames

In Issue 6 of Easy DIY magazine I show you how easy it is to make your own picture frames using tongue and groove. These easy picture frames can be finished in a variety of ways to look stunning and professional, and you can hang them indoors or outdoors.

 

The reason I am using tongue and groove to make the picture frames is because tongue and groove already has a groove, which makes it oh so easy to mount glass and mirror of a 5mm thickness. You will find instructions on how to make the frosted glass panel here, and the frame is built around the completed glass panel.

YOU WILL NEED:

Pack of tongue and groove boards, 1200mm long
No More Nails adhesive
Steel corner braces
Small panel pins
12mm wood screws
Pine moulding
Piece of glass cut to size 600 x 800mm
Self-adhesive vinyl
Black permanent marker
Rust-Oleum Chalkboard spray
Rust-Oleum Frosted Glass spray
2 Picture hangers

TOOLS:

Drill/Driver plus assorted bits
Mitre saw or mitre box and saw
Hammer
Craft knife
Tape measure
Pencil

HERE'S HOW:

1. Cut tongue and groove planks to two lengths: 2 of 915mm and 2 of 715mm. The nice thing about using tongue and groove for the picture frame is that it already has a pre-cut channel down one edge, which makes it easy to mount our piece of glass.

2. All four lengths need to have a mitred corner and you can easily do this with a mitre saw or mitre box and handsaw. If you get confused when cutting the angles, cut one at a time so that you can fit the frame together as you cut each end.

GOOD TO KNOW
You don’t need specialised tools to cut mitred edges for picture frames – a mitre box and backsaw do the job just as well.

 

3. Carefully insert the frame around the piece of glass. A few light taps from a rubber mallet will help on areas that need a bit of coaxing, but only tap lightly to tease the glass into the grooved slot. Apply a small bead of No More Nails adhesive to the mitred ends and attach corner braces with 12mm wood screws to hold frame sections together. Leave the adhesive to cure overnight.

4. Now you are ready to start adding moulding and trim to the front of the frame; mark and measure individual strips to fit the outer edge of the frame and use a mitre box and handsaw to cut the strips to length. The strips are attached with a bead of No More Nails adhesive.

You will find a selection of moulding and trim to add to your picture frame at your local Builders Warehouse.

5. Attach two picture hangers to the top of the frame. Although not heavy, for a frame this large it is always safer to have two hangers rather than one.

6. I am going to be hanging my frame outdoors and to finish off the frame I applied Woodoc Gel Stain in ebony and then applied three coats of Woodoc 30 to ensure maximum protection.

NOTE: Don't be a dumb blonde like me. it is easier and better to apply the stain and two coats of sealer before you assemble everything and then apply the final coat of sealer once assembled.

To add a bit of detail to the frame I stuck a strip of aluminium tape around the frame, as you can see in the main pic.