How to Make Picture Frames - Updated

This video is an updated version from one of our earliest videos on how to make a picture frame, that was not in HD and lacked some of the detailed information on making picture frames.

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Making picture frames is a great way of getting photos out or drawers, off of phones and hard drives and displayed where everyone can enjoy them. Photos, pictures, drawings, paintings are ideal for sharing and displaying and the best way to make these items stand out is to frame them.
For woodworkers, wooden frames are the answer. Unfortunately making and cutting frames is not always as easy as it might seem. We all know that frames need 45 degree corners, but it doesn't end there. The other key to making perfect picture frames is that both opposing sides need to be exactly the same length. If they are not, what happens is that when you assemble the frame, it appears that one of the corner angles is not cut correctly. The problem is that when you try to correct this, it ends up making the problem worse because when you trim one corner, if often opens another corner - worse.
There are many different ways to make frames, but the basics are the same 45 degree corners and opposing sides equal length. When you do this you will get perfect corners that seem so easy to make when you know all the secrets.
The third element in making picture frames is making them to fit a specific size. If you are using matting around the picture, the matte can act as a bit of forgiving sizing because it is easy to trim, but not so with glass. If you are going to be putting glass in your frame, you really need to get the size correct because trimming glass is difficult at best without proper equipment. Figuring out the size is also easy when you know how, and that involves using the rabbet that all picture frames have and using it as the guideline as shown in the video. So go ahead and make your own, perfect picture and photo frames.

[ozzstars_cars]

Good info in the video. There is a serious high pitch whine in the audio. Sounds like the ringing I have in my ears from working with power tools for so many years

[shawngrimme]

I am just now getting back into woodworking and stumbled across this guy He is amazing. I have learned more in 2 hours than I would of learned in a year of doing it on my own but this video is wrong in my opinion like another posted. Put the flat side of the frame down!

[herbsu]

I'm glad you went over the exact size issue and the sizing. Most videos just talk about making sure the corners are cut on a 45.

[AI-ozju]

Wouldn't it be relatively easier and more precise using a sliding miter saw? I have to make an elongated octagonal mirror frame, and have no experience. Thanks for any/all advise.

[sarahsullivan]

Thank u so much! After watching countless other videos on how to do this, I finally found yours & now I know exactly what 2 do! Bravo 2 u! :)

[lifeaccent]

I LOVE this Grandfatherly instructor. Colin you make me feel very confident in tackling frame making for my art 🤓⭐⭐⭐

[joewelling]

Colin, Your video cleared up some issues that I have had in the past while trying to get precise measurements Thank You !

[mmmmmmm]

Nothing better than learning from a talented teacher

[rico]

The important thing for me was where on the piece of wood to measure to get the exact size. Thanks for the detailed info. You always come through.

[ronc]

Like your idea of looking for picture frame stock at the thrift stores, because a lot that kind stuff just gets tossed in the bin. Lots of good tips to try out so thanks for the posting Colin.

[smahmed]

Good quality. It explains the principle better than the previous one you made. I only have a miter saw, so I would have liked to see you demonstrate this project on sliding miter saw. Thanks Colin. I really enjoy your videos. Thumbs up.

[towboatjeff]

Excellent video. I feel much more confident in building some custom picture frames now.

[chainsawcabinetshop]

Thank you for a great video. Not too much detail for me. No noise. I found this at the perfect time as I'm making a new frame for an old picture that is very special to a good friend and I want it to be perfect. Subed and will be watching some of your other offerings.

[Boomers_Bud]

Hi Colin. You did an awesome job putting this together. It's probably the best explained process on how to make accurate I have come across. Really well done.
Derek

[bennyholguin]

Great Video Colin! I never knew you had to "lift" the part against the fence? Thanks for the advice!

[russtheman]

Very good teaching tool with lots of helpful tricks. One way to check for true square is to measure the inside dimensions on the diagonals corner-to-corner.

[jbb]

Great video Colin!  I do have issues from time to time when gluing up frames.  Did not realize that I needed to have the outside of the frame up like you described.  Will use this method next time around.  Thank you

[deaconlyric]

Hi Colin, thanks for making this video. I have a multi part question. I am watching as you use your miter square while setting up the table saw for a miter. I have been hesitant to ever buy any measuring tools that are made of plastic or wood. I have done this because of I always thought they would eventually be off because of; changing temperature, compression, handling, time and human (manufacturing) error. I thought plastic and would would swell/shrink, warp, get nicks, or sit under something heavy and lose it's proper straight edge after a while in my tool kits. This of course is all stuff I thought of without ever confirming with a master carpenter. So coming from that I am wondering why you put down the clear plastic engineer's square and trust it more than the miter jig you had that was made for the table saw? Are miter jigs unreliable in general? Are machined metal rulers/sleds/ jigs less reliable than plastic?

[AwesomeWoodThings]

Great tutorial. Frankly, it seems like your method is better than the picture-frame sled I built... which I could never get accurate enough. I'll try your method for sure Colin. Thanks again!

[budprine]

Good video Colin. I might add one thing. For demo purposes you used 8" x 12". To make a frame for real I measure the dimensions of the material it will be holding such as glass, mat or picture. Taking the longest ones I add 1/16" to get my CUT length. By making the frame slightly larger the glass etc, can float rather than being rigid.
The most important thing you showed is "where "on the frame material you measure to.
BTW, no whine on my video.
Good stuff, keep it coming.