Floating picture frame

[JoeAzza]

I have just finished painting a bedroom, I wanted a picture to go above the the bed, so  after inspiration from a Bunnings Workshop contributor, @EleventhCoastal I painted my own artwork and made my timber floating picture frame, made out of Tasmanian Oak and pine timber.

Materials

Materials used

Canvas frame for painting the artwork approx size 90cm x 30cm

30mm x 12mm x 1200mm Tasmanian Oak for the outer framework.

30mm x 30mm x 1200mm DAR pine for the backing of the frame.

Wood glue.

Timber splines to strengthen the mitered joins.

Mounting screws from canvas art frame.

Mounting hardware for picture

Satin clear varnish and brush

Felt pads for wall protection

Tools

Art paint and brushes for artwork

Mitre saw

Biscuit joiner for splines

Sander/sand paper.

Brush 25mm

Band clamp.

Small clamps

Hand saw. for flush cutting the splines.

Steps

Step 1

Paint artwork.

Cut timber to suit artwork, make sure it's longer to allow a 4mm gap all around between the painting and the timber work.

Step 2

Glue  Tasmanian Oak and Pine to from an angle / L shape, glue and clamp together.

When dry, use a band clamp and glue mitered joints together.

Step 3

Allow for the glue to dry.

To install the splines, I made up a jig that could be used with my biscuit joiner, 

I made the timber splines to suit the slots and glued in place and allowed to dry.

Cut and sand the splines flush with the frame.

Sand frame work and paint - 2 coats.

Step 4

Mount artwork to frame, leave equal spacing between artwork and framework, I used plastic shims approx 4 mm thick.

Drill countersink holes at the back of the pine frame work and used 20mm x 6g countersunk screws to suit artwork, make sure that don't protrude the artwork.

Mount the picture hanging wire or similar.

I also installed felt pads to protect the wall.

[EleventhCoastal]

Joe this picture and frame looks absolutely beautiful, you did an amazing job.. Thank you so much for sharing with me and allowing me to give you the inspiration to have a crack, what a feeling.
Cheers
Kirst

[EricL]

I wouldn't mind owning a @JoeAzza original painting. 

Eric

[Akanksha]

Another terrific project, @JoeAzza. Both the artwork and frame are beautiful. I've gone ahead and submitted this as an entry in our 2023 D.I.Y. project search. 

Many thanks for sharing step-by-step details for this project. 

Akanksha 

[Dave-1]

Good Morning @JoeAzza 

Not a gap to be seen Envy would be the way to describe your work. Definently a frame that will last the years and hopefully one day I will atain the same skill level

Dave