Decorative Picture Frame

Once you have your piece of wood cut to the 9″ × 11″ × 1/2" thick size you need to clamp it securely in your X-Carve. I use cam clamps, but you can use an alternate method.

This part of the carve will be the longest. The roughing pass will take approximately 54 minutes with a 1/4" downcutting bit. The detail pass will take approximately 56 minutes with a 60 degree V bit.

Next we change back to the 1/4" downcutting bit to cut the outline of the frame and the picture opening. This took about 45 minutes. The file is set up with tabs to the frame doesn’t move while carving.

Next we will cut the recess for the picture frame glass. Flip the frame over and secure it back in place with whatever clamping method you are using. The glass I had was 5″ × 7″ so I made the opening just slightly larger than this so the glass would not be too tight. This process took about 15 minutes.

Make sure you have the frame lined up properly when you run this carve. My frame wasn’t set perfectly square with the X-Carve so my recess was off a little. That turned out OK as no one will ever see it. It’s just a learning experience, right?

Now that all of the carving is completed you can cut the tabs on your frame and sand all of the surfaces. I used a small detail sander to get around the decorative carvings in the corners of the frame. Using your patience here will make a better looking final product.

I used Odie’s Oil to finish the frame. I love how it makes the wood look and feel. Another bonus is that it is easy to apply and nearly impossible to mess up. You just rub the finish in with a white scotch brite pad and then wipe off the excess after 20 minutes or so.

It took a little extra effort to get into the recesses in the carved detail, but it was worth it.

This photo shows the frame with the first coat of Odie’s Oil soaking in.

Now that everything is complete you can site back and admire the frame you have carved. I really like how this turned out using the spalted maple. It is a very unique look and adds a lot of character to the design in the corners. I added one of my favorite pictures of our two boys from when they were little.

I still need to cut a small rectangular piece to add to the back of the frame and hold the picture and glass in place, but that won’t take long. I just had to show off the frame.

Let me know if you have any questions. If you carve one then please send me a picture.