Hey everyone! I'm diving into picture framing and aiming for top-notch quality for my artwork. I've hand-crafted my first frame, successfully navigating through painting, rabbet planing, and miter cutting. However, when I got to gluing, I hit a snag. I'm using a clamping jig, but I'm struggling with glue squeeze out from the miter joints once I clamp them down. How do you deal with this during the clamping process? If it's unavoidable, how can I prevent the frame from sticking to the clamps or any paper I might put under it? I know I could just use less glue, but I'm concerned that won't be enough to hold the joint. I aim for a clean finish, and scraping or sanding afterward would complicate things, especially with my painting technique.
5 Answers
Just to clarify, picture frame miter joints are definitely typically glued! You need that glue to hold them while you cut the spline or reinforcement. Don't skip it! It ensures everything stays in place.
I typically wait about 15 minutes after applying the glue to let it thicken a bit, making it easier to scrape off excess without causing a mess. You can even try using a straw to get into the inside corners. If you let the glue dry almost completely, you can gently scrape it off with a card scraper, followed by sanding if needed.
Interestingly, many professionals don't usually glue miter joints because end grain doesn’t bond well. If you do decide to glue, wiping off excess glue with a wet rag is pretty effective. It's all about finding the right method that works for you, especially if you're doing frames for art.
When you clamp the frame, try using a damp cloth to wipe away any excess glue before it dries. Some folks also recommend placing wax paper between the frame and the clamps to avoid sticking issues. Good luck with your framing! It sounds like you're on the right path!
To keep the frame from sticking to my workspace while clamping, I use baking parchment or wax paper. Just a tip: I’ve had some finishing issues with wax paper—could be from too much heat, but it's worth being cautious. Another trick is to put packing tape on your clamp pads; it can save your project while being cheap to replace.
I see what you're saying, but since I finish my frames before joining, that makes scraping or sanding tricky for me. Any tips for that?