Uploaded November 2024 | Updated September 2026, 57 minutes ago
In this video, I’ll show you how to make a simple yet highly effective clamping aid for picture frames and small mitered projects. Inspired by an old woodworking book, I originally came across a technique using notched boards to hold mitered frames together. While it worked well, it had a limitation—you’d need to cut new boards every time you changed frame sizes. So, I decided to come up with a more flexible, adjustable version that lets you use the same jig for any frame size.
This DIY clamping aid is built from a few pieces of plywood, a groove with t-track, and a couple of blocks to keep everything locked in place. It securely clamps each corner with only two clamps, holding the angles just right for a clean, tight fit every time. It’s a quick project, but it’s now my go-to solution for clamping frames without needing any expensive corner clamps. Perfect for anyone looking to save money and make use of scrap wood.
If you interested in making picture frames with mitered corners, this clamping aid is what you want. It allows you to squeeze the joint together...something miter clamps aren't always good at doing as they're, more or less, built to hold a joint in place.
Follow along to see how it’s done, and add this practical tool to your woodworking setup!
Step by step/Materials/Tools used website → makethingswithrob.com/picture-frame-clamping-aid
Become a patron! → patreon.com/makethings ←
Huge thank you to my patrons that keep this thing going!
*MAKER TEAM*
Michelle B
Keith Current
William L McNally
Rich Lightfoot
Tutor the Barbarian
Mike Lornitis
Les N.
Gary G.
Aubrey G.
Nukebert
Sam W.
Aaron Knows DIY
Doug F.
00:00 Intro
01:00 1. Materials
01:25 2. Plywood tracks
02:10 3. Locking blocks
03:16 4. Homemade t-tracks
03:49 5. Static blocks
04:16 6. Moveable blocks & wax
04:45 7. Demonstration
06:00 Credits
In this video, I’ll show you how to make a simple yet highly effective clamping aid for picture frames and small mitered projects. Inspired by an old woodworking book, I originally came across a technique using notched boards to hold mitered frames together. While it worked well, it had a limitation—you’d need to cut new boards every time you changed frame sizes. So, I decided to come up with a more flexible, adjustable version that lets you use the same jig for any frame size.
This DIY clamping aid is built from a few pieces of plywood, a groove with t-track, and a couple of blocks to keep everything locked in place. It securely clamps each corner with only two clamps, holding the angles just right for a clean, tight fit every time. It’s a quick project, but it’s now my go-to solution for clamping frames without needing any expensive corner clamps. Perfect for anyone looking to save money and make use of scrap wood.
If you interested in making picture frames with mitered corners, this clamping aid is what you want. It allows you to squeeze the joint together...something miter clamps aren't always good at doing as they're, more or less, built to hold a joint in place.
Follow along to see how it’s done, and add this practical tool to your woodworking setup!
Step by step/Materials/Tools used website → makethingswithrob.com/picture-frame-clamping-aid
Become a patron! → patreon.com/makethings ←
Huge thank you to my patrons that keep this thing going!
*MAKER TEAM*
Michelle B
Keith Current
William L McNally
Rich Lightfoot
Tutor the Barbarian
Mike Lornitis
Les N.
Gary G.
Aubrey G.
Nukebert
Sam W.
Aaron Knows DIY
Doug F.
00:00 Intro
01:00 1. Materials
01:25 2. Plywood tracks
02:10 3. Locking blocks
03:16 4. Homemade t-tracks
03:49 5. Static blocks
04:16 6. Moveable blocks & wax
04:45 7. Demonstration
06:00 Credits
