How to Create a Frame From Scrap Lumber

Welcome to another quick and easy tutorial. Today I would like to share how we created this simple frame for a piece of vintage glass. We were out searching for yard sales and found this window on the side of the road with a note on it that said FREE. I did have my hubby with me and he of course wants to know what in the world I’m going to do with it. At that time, I had no idea, but when I like it and it’s FREE, it’s going home with me!

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This is what it looked like, when I found it. It had a metal frame and metal details on it, but I felt like it needed a wooden frame. So I rummaged through my stash of scrap lumber for a board that was long enough, bingo I had one. This project was totally free. I had everything I needed right at home.

Items needed

scrap wood
circular saw (I used a table saw)
Miter (chop) saw
Router with a straight bit
Nail gun
Wood glue
Stain
Wax

I determined how wide I wanted the width of the board to be for my frame and set the fence on the table saw to 1 3/4″

I then ripped 4 strips of the wood to my desired width.

We used a 1/2″ straight router bit to cut a recessed area for the back side of the frame. This is where the window would fit in.

We used a router table, setting the bit to cut 1/2″ deep and 1/2″ wide.

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We then slowly pushed each board through.

finished piece of wood cut now repeat for all 4 pieces

This left a 1/2″ x 1/2″ notch out of the wood. Repeat this process for all 4 pieces of wood.

Using a miter saw set at a 45 degree angle cut one side of each of the boards.

putting wood together and putting glass in the notched out areas

Place the boards on a flat surface and align 2 of the mitered corners. Then place the window into the notched out area.

Make a mark with a pencil showing where the edge of the window meets the board. Adjust the miter saw to a 45 degree angle pointing the opposite direction and position the board on the saw such that the blade will pass through the mark placed on the board.

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Once all 4 boards are cut to the correct length, place wood glue on the mitered corners.

Align the corners and secure in place with a nail gun.

We placed 2 nails in each corner. Repeat for the other side.

We secured the window to the frame with glazer push points.

I wanted the wood to have an aged weathered look so I chose to use my homemade vinegar and steel wool stain. My bottle looks pretty gross. It has been sitting around for more than a year, but it still works great!

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To make the stain, simply place a steel wool pad into a glass jar and fill with vinegar. Let it sit for several hours to let the magic happen. Then simply brush it on the wood with a paint brush. I let the vinegar stain dry overnight before I added the final finish.

My final step was to add a white wax, I wanted it to have an aged look with white areas in the knots and imperfections in the wood.

I used the Behr White Wax. To apply it dip a stiff waxing brush into the wax and rub it into the wood. I like to use a circular motion to push it into the crevices in the wood. Let it dry.

I usually let it set overnight before I buff. To buff just take a clean cotton rag, like an old t-shirt and buff until it has a smooth finish.

We were able to cut and assemble the frame in less than an hour. It took about 5 minutes to put the stain on and another 5 minutes to add the wax. Of course there was drying time in between.

We hope that you have found this inspirational. Please let us know if you make a frame and how it turns out! We would love to hear from you! This would be a fun way to frame some farmhouse style art also.