Woodworking Tip
When nailing or screwing together the corners of picture frames or even small boxes, you need a way to hold the parts together for fastening. This simple assembly jig does the trick nicely. It’s nothing more than an MDF panel with two rails attached at precisely 90° to each other. The ends of the rails are set back from the business corner of the panel to allow tool access when the frame pieces are positioned and clamped in place for fastening. The part dimensions are not critical, but I find that the sizes shown work well in most cases. What is important is that the panel is dead flat and that the rails sit square to it. I attached a clamping cleat to the underside to secure the jig to a bench vise when in use.
—Tom Washington, Billings, Montana
Picture Frame Jig Applications in the Woodworking Shop
Tom’s frame assembly jig is a simple yet effective tool that fills an essential need in the woodworking shop. A reliable picture frame jig like this allows for perfect right-angle alignment during assembly, especially when working with mitered corners. It's particularly useful for those who want consistent, professional results when building custom frames or joining small box corners.
In addition to picture frames, this woodworking jig can assist with crafting drawer boxes, cabinet components or any small project requiring tight, square joints. By adapting the jig dimensions, woodworkers can build several versions to suit different project sizes or types of material. It’s a practical solution for improving efficiency and accuracy without adding unnecessary complexity to your workflow.
How to Improve and Customize Woodworking Jigs
A key takeaway from Tom’s design is the emphasis on precision without over-engineering. This approach applies to many woodworking shop jigs. A dead-flat base, accurate 90° rail setup, and secure clamping point are the three essential features that make this frame assembly jig effective.
To take it a step further, some woodworkers add toggle clamps, bench dogs or stops to speed up repeatability and reduce the need for hand clamping. These additions can be particularly helpful when producing multiple frames or assembling mirrored box components. Keeping the jig portable, like Tom’s vise-mounted solution, also adds flexibility around the shop.
