Making Picture Frames with a Sliding Mitre Saw - A woodworkweb.com woodworking video 

I have several miter saws, both compound sliding and conventional. I have made sacrificial fences for all of them. The keys to frame making are accuracy and consistency. Having a sacrificial fence is a way to achieve both. Being able to visually reference the kerf cut from the blade on the surface of the fence allows you to know exactly where the blade will enter the work piece. Along with either a movable stop block or pencil markings on the fence, you can control the cuts to have both precision and repeatability, the hallmarks of quality frame making. Ten minutes of making that fence will save you hours of frustration. Colin is spot on with this.

As an artist and a woodworker, I make a spacer to lift the pieces off the fence, so that when the 45 is butted against the stop block, it is true to your measurement every time. This avoids the possibility of the sharp angle wedging into the crack between the fence and the stop block, possibly making your measurement short. The spacer just has to run the distance between your blade and stop short of the spacer block. It could be as simple as a 1/4 inch strip of plywood cut to length. I have made spacers to fit standard sizes of frames. This way you can be accurate and faster in producing standards. Anything in between will be covered by the standard bridges, because the spacers does not have to run the entire distance.

Contrary to the critics in the comments, as a total novice i find your videos to be perfect. I need things to be explained methodically and with a rationale, and you do this perfectly.

Colin doesn't waste any time and plans what he's going to present. Some people don't realize that making something like this frame actually takes a few minutes longer than this but Colin smoothly edits out the repetitious parts. He strikes a great balance and gets the job done and shows the viewer how to get the job done with no bull.

This video appear to be made at least 5 years ago. Even so, it is still current in 2018. Over the years I have had need to make an occasional picture frame. Never could get it right. Close but not close enough. Your video was most helpful. Like many of the commenters, I made just about every mistake you covered. By reference I am echoing all those that comments on how helpful the video is. The few detractors have probably forgotten what it is like to be a beginner and the need for slow paced, clear, and easy to follow instructions. Keep up the great work. I have bookmarked this video so I can refer to it again in the future when needing another picture frame.

At 63 yrs old, I’ve probably watched 500+ woodworking videos on RU-vid. This is the first one I’ve ever been compelled to make a comment. What you have presented will enable me to perfect a technique that will open up many different projects to complete. Thank you so, so much. I simply love your channel. Have a Merry 2019 Christmas!

Yesterday my mitres were an embarrassment. After watching this video today everything lined up perfectly. Totally understood exactly what I was doing wrong. Given me a lot more confidence. Thank you Colin 🙏

Colin, I love your teaching. I am a 73 yo woman just getting back into woodworking and have discovered your videos. Very helpful, thank you.

While working on a frame in my shop, I became so frustrated that I put the piece down and came to my office. I searched for a video on making precision miters and found this video. After watching it I returned to my shop and followed this video step by step and VIOLA!!! I created a beautiful frame. Thank you so much for this invaluable information.

I spent all day creating frame pieces yesterday without a stop. Last night I said I’d never do it again. Thank you for this video! Now I can’t wait to do it again! Really enjoy your work!

As an artist, I frequently need to frame my artwork. The prospect of the challenges that I face was discouraging to say the least. I just finished applying your method and was pleasantly surprised how easy it is to implement your instructions. Thanks so much for generously sharing your knowledge and skills.

Thank you very much for making this video and sharing your knowledge with us

Thank you for taking it step by step. It’s so nice to watch someone who teaches to complete beginners rather then to other experts. Loved it!

Hey Mich, thanks for taking the time to comment and for giving more detail. I read all of these and appreciate it when people can give some details of what they like. Great to have you with us Colin

Very comprehensive, thank you.

I do not have a shop. I do most of my work outside when the weather is good. Your tips are awesome. I don't have a sliding mitre saw. I especially like the tip of the sliding stop block. I am going to try this on a regular mitre saw.

Thank you. This was an extremely helpful video.

So absolutely helpful. Just learning to use a miter saw and make angle cuts. Though practice makes perfect, this is video will save me a lot of aggravation and time. Thanks.

I've made a few picture and notice board frames in my time but I've learned a couple of valuable tips with this video - thanks again.

I want to sincerely thank you for taking the time to make this video. no one has explained why the joins can be off and now after watching your video and building a similar jig im making perfect picture frames . I cant thank you enough

Hi Keith, that's one of the great things about woodworking, often many different ways to do things. I agree with you about the table saw, I also find it works best for me for these kinds of projects. Thanks for taking the time to comment, nice to hear what others are doing :) Colin

You remind me of shop class back in high school, my wood working teacher was amazing and shared the same safety protocols as you. Love your video's, very comfortable and warm approach to teaching, well done and thank you for taking the tie to make these videos, thumbs UP! Chris

Looks like it is time to go out and finally purchase my good-quality chop saw. Have wanted to make picture frames for my gallery prints I make for a long time. Now I have the confidence to do it. Thank you very much for your excellent teaching on this video.

Thanks to your video I probably not get frustrated making picture frames. You where a great help. Again thank. All your videos are very educational

Hi Everett, Great to have you with us. Both the table saw or router work fine for 1/4" rabbet, although the router version is often a bit cleaner. The main difference is that the table saw works best if the project has not been assembled so you are working with long straight pieces of wood. If the project has been assembled and you have corners, the router can be a better choice. Thanks for commenting and for the good question Colin

I know my videos are too long .. but many thanks for the positive response. I am working at making them shorter :) ... Great to have you with us Colin

I am in process of making mirror for my bathroom using crown molding. I am glad I saw this before I started .Thanks so much.

Excellent video instruction! The only thing I would have added would be the vertical alignment of the blade. Your instructions are clear and to the point. Thanks a bunch!!

Yeah I know, same with me, I still prefer the table saw but so many people asked about doing it with sliders, we felt we needed to address their questions. I only wish I had one of those frame shop guillotines, that's real frame making. Thanks for taking the time to comment ... great to have with us Colin

I love re-visiting these older videos!!!!!! Still a great video Collin!!!

To all people working with any kind of woodworking machines is to make sure the bit or blade that you are using is spinning to the full RPM before cutting any wood as all things wobble until maximum RPM is achieved. Food for thought !!!

Yes, the stop block is used basically as a measuring device, and yup, depending on the wood, if you press too hard you could feather the end, but in our experience we really didn't encounter any problems with that, but thanks for mentioning it, it could be an issue with some. Great to have you with us and thanks for taking the time. Colin

Very well done. Thank you

thanks, many great tips and easy to follow

THANKS VERY MUCH ,VERY GOOD IDEAS ...AGAIN THANK YOU...

Always have to work safely, especially when so many people are watching. Thanks for the comment on the sliders, my experience is not as positive, have always found them great for basic construction but a bit lacking for making accurate picture frames, sounds like I need to upgrade my level of quality in sliders. Thanks for the comment, we listen to all of them. Great to have you with us Colin

So incredibly helpful, Colin, and not just for picture frames. Thank you.

Your video was very helpful! Thanks so much for the great explanation!

Excellent Tutorial. Now I know that I need to adjust my Mitre Saw. Thank You.

Very well done. You sacrificed your time to make this video for the benefit for all to see. Your dedication to safety letting the saw stop before removing material is good practice. I have some engineers squares so I guess I can use them for the jig after the material is cut.

Fantastic I enjoyed your video very well explained I thank you

Kudos!!! "Ding" and the light came on when you said "parallel sides = length..". I'm glad this popped up in my list search....I have to crank out three or four simple frames, may as well refresh/relearn my memory skills and I am happy I did!! Thanks for showing me how!!

You described exactly the problem I was dealing with. Your solution worked. Thank you so much.

Excellent work Sr. Congrats. Thanks.

Thank you very much. I was a picture framer for 30ish years and this is very informative. I still would like to order frames length and unfinished but I did not want to invest in some expensive mitre saw, which appear to be a vanishing breed.

Thanks for the tips. Incredibly easy and functional. Now to get these frames done, thanks again.

Thank you Great Wizard. I just spent 2 hours doing what you said not to ( after the fourth corner didn’t line up). Tomorrow I’m going to start over after watching this (and replacing the blade my miter saw came with :). Thanks again.

Outstanding video!

I edit my own videos for my channel and I know how much effort and time is needed, so I appreciate every minute of the video. When you find a channel like this or like thewoodwhisperer one, time is not that important because you know it is a masterclass.

Thank you!!! So simple and something I’ve struggled with! Can’t wait to make my own frames now. Thanks, Colin.

Thank you so much, your way of making 45d angles is fool proof.. Im new to woodworking and I have really learnt something here, you have made a real soul distroying joint which I keep struggling with seem so easy, the Penny has now dropped lol.. Fantasic video, and once again. THANK YOU .... Steve

First off thank you for all your hard work in making these how to videos. I do a lot of woodworking but have always had trouble with frames using a mitre sled for table saw, now using your technique I make many frames and they are perfect.

Excellent, I’m setting up for a 45” X 37” picture frame that will have glass as well. Thank You for the simple way to set up and get accurate corners.

How refreshing to be able to watch instruction at a gentle pace. Perfect. Thank you.

This is a great. My wife has tasked me with making frames for her tapestry's. After only limited success in the past making picture frames I now understand what error I was making and how to do it properly. Full marks for safety. Thank you, Mark McLennan

I love you so much good teacher

Great job,

Great info and well explained, thank you! 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

Absolutely fantastic. I am a novice and really appreciate your attention to detail. Lots of YouTUbe videos lose me because I don't have an understanding of what they consider basic knowledge. For everyone that thinks he went too slow - change the playback speed to 1.5 or even 2. I do this for subjects I am comfortable with.

I've recently bought a sliding mitre saw and this video has helped so much in getting a frame to fit accurately thank you very much for taking the time to put this together another excellent tutorial.Paul

Thank you so much for this video. The tips you shared made a HUGE difference for me! My old chop saw is not properly calibrated so checking with a proper square, using the wood fence and that little block made all the difference! Thank you!

Man I wish my high school offered classes like this

This is perfect! Thank you

I've watched a few videos for frames and this is by far the best, absolutely perfect technique for perfect frames done so easily and exact!

I was trying to make a floating frame for my own artwork. Thanks for the help. I was having difficulty repeating perfect angles. Now to set up! So excited!

Hi Steve, thanks for the note. You could use either a table saw or a router with a dado bit to cut our that rabbet on the frame. My experience with both is that sometimes, depending on the wood and the grain, the router choice tends to fray the wood, the table saw is my first choice. Great to have you with us and thanks again for the question. Colin

Good job. Thank for sowing

just found this video. and find it very informative . will check out more of your videos. Thank You

Excellent, clear simple instruction using a chop saw and a few inexpensive tools. Worth watching the entire video. As an artist, I need to be able to make as much of my frames and stretchers as I can to save $$. thank you!

This was so helpful, thanks.

Frick you made that look easy!!!! Thank you! I've been making frames with a hand saw and miter box. The plug in one I just bought will make this so much easier!!!!!! Thank you for the set up walkthrough! ♥️

Thanks for the info on the Mitre Saw setup. That will make a big difference on my framing joints. Always enjoy your teachings 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

Thank you!!!

Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and experience. I have quite a few frames to make as I have been painting since 1970. Your video is the best I have watched for setting up a miter saw to cut the frame pieces. I don't have access to a table saw but I do have a miter saw.

THANKS!!! YOU ANSWERED A LONG TIME PROBLEM I HAD MAKING FRAMES> THANKS !!Tony Seelbach

This was the best video for me, of many that I have watched, to get my miter cuts straight. My miter cuts are always tricky, and even though I have become much better at it, and occasionally get some perfect, it always takes me way too too long. I wanted to know a trick to getting the sides perfectly equal. This is exactly what I needed. and that backer board does the trick for me. Thank you for the video.

great video, exactly the help I was looking for...Thank you

Thanks!! I took "frame making" class a cupla years ago. ...learned more with this video.

Colin, I used this set up tonight to make a mock-up box (per my wife)for my son’s graduation in May, it worked perfect. Thanks for the video!

Between the corners and getting the two opposing sides equal lenght, that's really the secret ... good luck with your frames and thanks for commenting Colin

New to wood working, and this is very helpfu as I am looking at the best methods to make frames. Liked and subscribed! 🤙

Thank you so much. This was my first time and you made it look easy. I appreciate it. I also love how my first frame came out!

YOU ARE STILL THE BEST OF THE BEST. LONG LIFE TO THE KING!!!!!!!

Your video is a how-to aimed at the beginner (me). I appreciate the excellent quality of your instruction. Thank you!

Mr Knecht, I really wish you were my neighbor because I would love to just hang around and learn from you, You teach on a very understandable level and you can tell that you also have a passion for woodworking. My brother also had a passion but sadly he passed on. It was not until after that happened that I developed a passion also especially when I retired. I am nowhere near the level that he was or of course not even close to what you - what I consider a master- are. But I would love to be that guy that is probably always in your way, but believe me, I would appreciate it. Best of Luck to you and yours. Thanks for explaining things to people like myself.

Thats a great idea, thanks for sharing. Great to have you with us Colin

Thanks for the note ... congrats on the new tool, should make your woodworking life even more enjoyable, Thanks for posting, great to have you with us. Colin

I first watched your video many years ago. It is my go to refresher course LOL. I think you are an excellent instructor.

excellent ideas & tips

Thanks for the note Dave, great to have you with us. We would love to see some of your projects some time on woodworkweb. Thanks again for posting Colin

I need to dress up the access to our attic & I never realized it’s just a picture frame. Thanks for your informative videos!

You are the best teacher I love your videos thank you for sharing all of your knowledge God bless you and your family!!!!😍😇

Thanks for the primer - that was enlightening (I just tried to true up a frame I made and had exactly the problem you show at the start.) Now I know how to set my mitre saw for better corners.

Thank you for your videos, I love the way you take your time to explain step by step what you’re making. I’m so grateful to have found your channel. God Bless you.

Well done Sr!

Glad you liked it, thanks for commenting Great to have you with us Colin

My late father was the master of the trapezoid. I learned more at his elbow watching him mess stuff up than I think I could ever have learned on my own doing it right. His fall back was always, "If anyone looks that closely at it, we'll sell it to him."

Years ago all of that hit me & I got it figured that out & has saved a lot of time The sharp blade sure helps

I subscribed today 3-9-20 after watching you for about six years and today I learned that you are a craftsman. I had kind of dismissed you as a high school shop / math teacher because of your presentation but that was a misconception on my part. Thank you sir

oooh my god!! Where were you during my entire life!!! you are so clear, you teach so good!! thankyou for everything!!