Hello, all.
I am making a mirror frame (yes, I did a google search).
I plan to make it for a 36" x 48" x .5" mirror using some free wide pine
flooring that came with my house. I plan to use half-laps for the corner
joints with gorilla glue, and will use a piece of hardboard for the backing
that will not be inside the rabbet I make for the mirror.
Here is my question: given the mirror's dimensions, how much extra space
should I allow for dimensional change of the wood? Should I just cut a rabbet
that will allow exactly a 36" x 48" x .5" mirror, or should I allow slightly
more space? I am a newbie, and would appreciate any advice y'all could give.
Thanks in advance.
-Barry K.
"BKeane71" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hello, all.
>
> I am making a mirror frame (yes, I did a google search).
> I plan to make it for a 36" x 48" x .5" mirror using some free wide pine
> flooring that came with my house.
Hummmm....half inch glass, 12 sq. feet of the stuff....about 75 lbs worth of
mirror. One heavy dude to hang on the wall.
Larry
"BKeane71" <[email protected]> wrote
:
: Sorry, folks. After posting, I realized that the thickness dimension was
: incorrect. It should read 0.25 inches, not the .5 inches. Whooo, that
would
: be one heavy mirror, eh?
A tip. General practice is to paint the faces of the rebate with a matt
black paint.
This helps to avoid showing a reflection of the inside of the rebate.
Jeff G
--
Jeff Gorman, West Yorkshire, UK
Email address is username@ISP
username is amgron
ISP is clara.co.uk
Website www.amgron.clara.net
[email protected] (BKeane71) wrote in
news:[email protected]:
> WHOOPS!
>
> Sorry, folks. After posting, I realized that the thickness dimension
> was incorrect. It should read 0.25 inches, not the .5 inches. Whooo,
> that would be one heavy mirror, eh?
>
> Thanks.
>
> Barry K.
>
Still gonna be somewhat heavy. Make certain you think through the
provisions for hanging/securing the piece.
Patriarch
"BKeane71" wrote in message
> Here is my question: given the mirror's dimensions, how much extra space
> should I allow for dimensional change of the wood?
Wood movement should not be much of a factor providing your frame is not
ridiculously wide ... just allow enough room for easy installation of the
glass: 1/8th all around should be ample.
Consider pegging the half-lap joints with a contrasting wood for extra
strength and appearance.
--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 5/15/04
"BKeane71" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hello, all.
>
> I am making a mirror frame (yes, I did a google search).
> I plan to make it for a 36" x 48" x .5" mirror using some free wide pine
> flooring that came with my house. I plan to use half-laps for the corner
> joints with gorilla glue, and will use a piece of hardboard for the
backing
> that will not be inside the rabbet I make for the mirror.
>
> Here is my question: given the mirror's dimensions, how much extra space
> should I allow for dimensional change of the wood? Should I just cut a
rabbet
> that will allow exactly a 36" x 48" x .5" mirror, or should I allow
slightly
> more space? I am a newbie, and would appreciate any advice y'all could
give.
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> -Barry K.
>
Dimensional change will be negligible because wood shrinks and swells
perpendicular to the long grain. In a picture frame wood movement will have
very little effect on your design.
However, I would make the rabbet opening a total of 1/8" or so larger in
each dimension than your mirror, just to make it easier to install the
glass.
Jay