If you’re a DIY enthusiast or just looking for a way to save money, making your own picture frame can be a great project. Using just a few simple tools, you can create a beautiful piece of art that will be treasured for years to come.

Start by gathering a few wood slats or dowels that will be the perfect size for your picture. You can stain them in your favorite color, paint them a solid shade, or even choose to make them look like metal.

Next, you’ll need a few pieces of picture frame moulding and a hand-held miter box (or a small compound miter saw for more complex frames). The tool will help you cut the 45-degree angles necessary to create your picture frame.

First, measure the length of your picture’s longer side, and add 1/16” to it. Then, use a pencil to mark on one of the two pieces of picture frame moulding where you’d like to cut a 45-degree angle. Using that same mark, place the other board over it and cut that angle into it, too. Repeat the process for the other two pieces of moulding.

After cutting all of your pieces, lay them out to form the shape of your picture frame. Once you’re happy with how it looks, sand it to smooth it out and remove any rough spots. This step is especially important if you’re building a large frame with many angles.

Once the wood has been sanded, it’s time to put the frame together. To do this, use a metal ruler to ensure that all of the smaller measurements are correct.

Using this tool, you can easily and quickly line up the corners of your picture frame so that they’re square. This will give it a more finished look and keep your art safe.

You can also use this tool to set the frame’s points before you glue it together, which will help you to avoid having the corners not line up properly. A tool like this can be a lifesaver for a newbie crafter.

Another helpful tool is a frame point driver, which is essentially a small screwdriver that can be used to set the points for your frame’s corners. This makes it much easier to complete this part of the process, which is a must for any picture frame project.

Finally, the frame needs to be secured so that it won’t shift out of place or fall off the wall. There are a variety of different options for securing your frame, such as glazing points and brads, but if you don’t want to invest in any more equipment, a simple band clamp can work just fine.

To finish off the frame, sand it again to smooth out any rough edges and wipe it down with a damp cloth to get rid of any sawdust. You can then use a linseed oil or other type of finish to help seal the wood and make it last for many years to come.