Picture frames are typically held together using a combination of wood glue and fasteners like nails or staples.
The Role of Wood Glue
Wood glue is a crucial element in the frame-building process. It provides a strong, durable bond between the frame's corner pieces. When properly applied, wood glue creates a joint that is often stronger than the wood itself.
- Advantages of Wood Glue:
- Creates a very strong and durable bond.
- Fills small gaps for a seamless appearance.
- Relatively inexpensive and easy to use.
Fasteners: Nails, Staples, and More
While wood glue is essential, fasteners offer immediate stability and clamping pressure while the glue dries. Common fasteners include:
- Nails: Small nails can be hammered into the corners to hold the frame together.
- Staples: Frame staples, driven by a specialized framing stapler, are a faster alternative to nails. They offer good holding power, especially in softer woods.
- V-Nails (Wedges): These are inserted into the corners using a specialized tool, creating a very strong, mechanically interlocked joint. This is often used in professional frame shops.
- Corner Clamps: While not a fastener, corner clamps are often used in conjunction with glue and fasteners to hold the corners perfectly square while the glue dries.
The Process
The typical process for assembling a picture frame involves these steps:
- Cutting the Wood: The frame pieces are cut to the required length and mitered (usually at 45-degree angles) to form the corners.
- Applying Glue: Wood glue is applied to the mitered surfaces of the corner joints.
- Joining the Corners: The frame pieces are brought together to form the corners.
- Fastening the Corners: Nails, staples, or V-nails are used to secure the corners while the glue dries. Corner clamps may also be employed.
- Drying: The glue is allowed to dry completely, ensuring a strong and permanent bond.
Summary
In summary, picture frames are typically held together by a robust combination of wood glue to create a strong bond and fasteners such as nails, staples, or V-nails to provide immediate support and clamping force during the drying process. This combination ensures a durable and aesthetically pleasing frame.
