Replies

1. 
   TomT226 | Aug 12, 2003 02:12pm | #1

   I've made a few mirror frames before, and generally use splines.I don't know how big a mirror frame you're building, but these have been strong enough for the ones I've built.

   Mill the grooves before you cut the pieces to shape so they'll be easier to handle.

   I remember seeing the article you've mentioned. Seems it was "jigs for cutting ovals." Try that in the search engine.

1. 
   DaveN | Aug 12, 2003 05:50pm | #2

   Thanks Tom.

   The frame is 36 x 24 inches and 4 inches wide.

1. 
   TomT226 | Aug 12, 2003 07:41pm | #3

   Splines oughta work just fine. After I've checked everything out on a dry glue up, glue size the end grain on the joints with just a little bit. Leave the splines wider than the pieces at the joints so you can be sure you're getting enough glue into the groove. I usually make the spline about 1/32" narrower than the combined 2 grooves, so the joint doesn't stay open. Any gap can be filled with a bit of spline material driven in after the piece is trimmed.

   When you do the dry assembly, make sure your clamping strategy will go smoothly. If you leave the pieces as large as you can, you could screw blocks to the joints and use clamps to draw them in tight across the joints.

   Watch for racking, 'cause it'll cause the glass to break when you install the glass.