The biggest thing I've learned with picture frames is to keep the profile simple. The more you try to embellish the face, the harder it will be to align the miters at the corners - no matter how good your miters are. Careful gluing & clamping work, but I've found that sometimes the joints want to move just enough that they don't quite match.
You didn't mention how you were going to hang the picture/frame. I, personally, prefer to rout a slot in the back with a keyhole bit. This allows the frame to sit flush against the wall for a much cleaner look...
Looking forward to seeing the finished product!
Dave
"One should respect public opinion insofar as is necessary to avoid starvation and keep out of prison, but anything that goes beyond this is voluntary submission to an unnecessary tyrany, and is likely to interfere with happiness in all kinds of ways."
It'll be hung with either two screws on the sides and braided steel wire or the serrated tooth thing centered at the top--I failed to take into consideration that the rawhide I'll be using to lace the piece to the backer will be proud of the back by about 1/8". I'm considering increasing the rabbet's depth a bit to cover that.
Constantines is a good source for inlays and inlay borders. They used to be in the Bronx when I was a kid, but apparently they are now in Florida (after yesterday's snow storm it seems like a good mover).
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