Carving Picture Frames

[rkcim]

Hi fellow wood workers!

I'm getting into making some frames for my art and would like to do some carving on them and I'm new to carving. After searching around on the internet for resources on how to etc. I couldn't really find anything for what I was wanting to do so I thought I'd post a sample of a frame detail. The frame is approx. 4" wide and about 1.5" high.

Here is a photo of the sample piece:


My question is how do frame makers make these are they milled? I have the time to do it by hand but not sure what tools to use. I was thinking of getting something from Woodcraft any recommendations like a small kit or can a couple of gouges do the work? One question is how to get the long hollowed out piece and the detail work also in the above photo.

The other question is I have some poplar 6/4 I was thinking of using it but that was before I realized I might want to carve on it. Would it be a good idea just to go buy Basswood to make the frame or make the frame a two piece glue up meaning the Basswood would be for the carving detail part of the frame and the rest of the frame made out of Poplar. I know Basswood is a bit more in cost but wandering if it's worth it to make a glue up or just make the whole frame out of Basswood. I tried carving on the Poplar with my swiss army knife but I dont' think it was sharp enough lol.

Thanks,
Kirby

[rkcim]

The long hollowed out section is on the outside trim sort of in the middle of the picture frame sides not the big scoop made by the router. Looks like its gouged out just to make it clear lol.

Thanks,
Kirby

[Dagwood]

question 1.... i have worked in a frame shop in the past and have found that the carving part of frames can be made in several ways, some are stamped. some are inlayed with a resin material. and some are molded wood with wood grain overlay (fake wook as i call it)... and you cant really tell with the prices as most frame work is not cheep and painted on the back as well.
question 2. Popular is a good wood for carving but a little harder than bass wood.. as far as the cost for bass wood i have found if you need board basswood its cheeper to go to a building supply co... no not lowes or home depot a honest to goodness building supply co and ask for bass wood by the foot. i have gotten it as cheep as 4.20 a bf. however this is going to be southern basswood which doesnt carve as well as northern. but is still a little easier than popular. the bass wood is used for making cabinet faces and styles. and routes very well and takes stain like a champ... hope this helps.

[pallin]

Most picture frame mouldings are machined on a shaper as a continuous strip, then mitred to form the frame. The carvings are added before the application of the final finish. The carvings in the example you shared are simple reliefs carving into the corners - or they could be pressed or resin molds glued in place as Dagwood noted.

[rkcim]

What kind of tools would I need to duplicate the carving detail of the frame?

Anyone know?

So I'm assuming Basswood would be better. I get my lumber from Houston Hardwoods and they carry Basswood.

I was thinking of making a glue up of Basswood and Poplar. Using the Basswood for the carving part. Maybe glue the pieces first plane them and then route the molding profile as one and do the carving last. But what tools could be used to do the carving?

Would a gouge be used to do that gouged out part and a small type of gouge for doing the detail?? Or is it not worth it and be hard to accomplish. I think the only hard part would be the long gouge part trying to keep it going straight. The detail of the leaves etc I think would be easy just time consuming and especially needing a sharp tool.

My main question now is what tools to do the carving?

Thanks,
Kirby

[rkcim]

Would these set of tools be able to carve something like that?

Buy Beginners Carving Tools at Woodcraft

Thanks,
Kirby

[Dagwood]

as far as the tools are concerned. i cant speak for that brand as i have not used them. most carvers start with a "Cheeper" set to start out with and wish we would have used the money towards a "better" set later. with this being said. buy what you can afford. learn to sharpen. and care safely. i have a close match to that set but the tools are Footprints brand, i now use them in my found wood, bark, pine knots. ect. not saying footprints is better just saying the tools were some of my first tools now are my last on the FAV list. but still a good tool if sharpened and maintained

[rkcim]

Ok thanks Dwayne.

Kirby

[Donsexton]

You could do plenty of relief carving on a picture frame with that set as long as its razor sharp. That set will limit you on the size of detail. A set of Two Cherries Micro tools and a Two Cherries detail knife maybe left and right short bent skew and a hook skew then you will be in business. That picture frame could be carved with just a hook skew if that’s all you had. Picture frame carving to me is in the micro realm but you know the Flexcut set may provide you with a better selection for all your carving needs until you learn what you like. A swiss army knife could be adapted for relief carving but one would need to make the blade look more like a hook skew and keep it razor sharp. I don’t think the wood matters as long as its straight grained and dry. Two different types of wood will take stain and finish differently I would stick with one type of wood per frame.