Frames

Frames are one of the most essential pieces of fine wood working to have in your home.  If nothing else, start with a nice wood frame to add to your furniture collection.  Frames, for the most part, are the least expensive piece of furniture you can buy.  And at the same time it most likely gets noticed the most.  They come in all shapes and sizes, colors, styles, and woods.

This frame is natural finished Walnut, and has shaped edges to give it an older look.  The main display is a replica of the United Stated Constitution, with black matting behind it.  I used anti-glare glass on this frame, which cuts down on glare from lights and also gives it a matte-like finish.  Other glasses available are regular glass, which glares light but is good for items such as clock pendulums, where the item is not right up against the glass.  Anti-glare glass works well for things placed against the glass.  If you want to spend a lot of money, there is museum glass; it looks as though there's nothing there, but it costs a pretty penny.

                 The key to making a beautiful frame is how well the joints are made. I make my frames with "biscuit joints", which have slots cut into each joint, where a "biscuit" is inserted.  The biscuits are made to expand when glue is added.  This lines each joint up perfectly, making each side look like the same piece of wood.  It also makes the joint itself stronger than the solid wood.