How To Make DIY Timber Picture Frames

Step by step instructions to easily make these timber picture frames.

G'day guys, we're back again in the workshop for our DIY Fridays!

We had a lot of requests for this woodworking project and we really hope you enjoy it. We used scrap timber and I picked up some super cheap glass, mounting cards and backboards from a $2 shop. I also love to pick up old picture from op-shops and up-cycle the frames!

Have Fun!

AL + IMO

“The beauty about this project is that pretty much anything goes so you can decide the sizes of your frames and timber you’d like to use and just follow these steps. ”

TOOLS

TAPE MEASURE

PENCIL

SET SQUARE

TABLE SAW OR CIRCULAR SAW OR ROUTER

DRILL

NAIL GUN OR HAMMER

SANDER OR SANDPAPER

SANDPAPER

DROP SAW

NAIL PUNCH

PROTECTIVE GEAR

SAFETY GLASSES

EAR PROTECTION

TIMBER

For this project I used Vic Ash hardwood I had lying around the workshop.

I picked up the following from a local $2 Shop, however I am always on the hunt in Op-Shops for pictures to up-cycle and reframes.

• Glass,

• Backing

• Mounting Card

• Triangle Hooks & Screws for the back

HARDWARE

BRAD NAILS

MATERIALS

GLUE

HARD WAX OIL

WOOD PUTTY OF A SIMILAR COLOUR

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step 1.

Because I used scrap timber I ripped my pieces down to 19mm by 30mm using my table saw however you could easily pick up timber that is already cut to size. The beauty about this project is that pretty much anything goes so you can decide the sizes of your frames and timber you’d like to use and just follow these steps. 

step 2.

I measured and made a note of the size of my internal pieces - glass, backing board and mounting card. My mounting card was the largest piece by just a couple of millimetres so I used this as my size guide.  

I also made a note of the thickness of all of my pieces when placed together and decided to create a 7mm cut out.

Step 3.

I marked my timber 7mm x 7mm and set my table saw using my mark as a guide. You could also use a router or circular saw to make your cuts. 

I ran my pieces through the table saw creating the cut out.

Step 4.

To cut my mitres I set my drop saw to 45 degrees and cut my first mitre making sure to run the blade through really slowly and once cut through letting the blade slow down before pulling it out to ensure a really clean cut.

From the shorter edge I measured my frame width, made a mark and using my set square drew my 45 degree angle. Using the drop saw I made sure to cut on the outside of the line, again guiding the blade through slowly.

Repeat this step until all four sides are cut.

Step 5.

I glued and used my nail gun to join the corners, in the future I would clamp my frame to a flat surface to make those joins easier and more accurate. 

I then punched in any protruding nails.

Step 6.

I sanded my frames smooth using my orbital sander and then used hand sandpaper for the edges. 

Step 7.

We used picture triangles to keep the glass, mounting board and backing into place as our frames will be free-standing on shelves in our house. However if  I decide to hang them in the future I'll change these over with smaller frame stays and move the picture triangle down lower so they hang more flush against the wall. 

Step 8. 

We loved the colour of the frames once finished so we held off on sealing them until we picked up a product called Osmo Raw which is an oil/wax product that will keep the frames nice and light as they are now.  

At this stage I'll also fill the nail holes with putty that matches the final colour of the finished timber.

Step 9. 

And that’s it!

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HEY! WE’RE AL + IMO

We’re a husband and wife duo, building our dream life one DIY project at a time. We are proudly self-taught, furniture-makers, business owners, designers and stylists.

DIY RUNS IN OUR DNA

We firmly believe what you learn should be shared which is why we created our Journal. A place where you can learn new skills and be inspired by other creatives.

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