Tinwork Picture Frame

Steps 1-2

Steps:

1. Cut a 10-1/2" x 8" piece of tin off the roll.

2. Draw the frame pieces with a permanent marker on the tin piece. The pieces consist of a frame, the pan and an easel.

Step 3

3. Cut the tin pieces apart on a metal shear.

Step 4

4. Draw the size of the opening on the frame with a marker and jig.

Step 5

5. Scribe the fold lines on all the frame pieces.

Step 6

6. Cut the corners on a diagonal with tin snips.

Step 7

7. Punch four pilot holes in the center corners for the frame opening with a metal punch and hammer. Flatten the punched holes with an arbor press.

Step 8

8. Cut the frame opening with tin snips.

Steps 9-10

9. Draw the design on the frame with a marker.

• Each corner features a design with lines that extend from the opening of the frame to the outer edges.
• Each side of the frame features half-star designs in different sizes.

10. Punch the side portions of the design with various sized handmade half-star punches and a mallet.

Step 11

11. Score the straight-line corner portions of the design with an awl and ruler.

Steps 12-13

12. Fold the tin pieces on all the fold lines on a sheet metal finger brake machine.

13. Attach the pan to the frame with solder and a soldering iron (image).

Steps 14-16

14. Frame Hinge:

• Cut a 1-1/2-inch rod and a 1-1/2 inch brass tube
• Cut the tube into thirds
• Solder the two outer pieces of tubing to the frame
• Solder the center tube to the easel
• Insert the rod through the three tube pieces

15. Attach the easel to the pan about an 1/8-inch in from the edge with solder.

16. Attach wires for hanging the tinwork frame.

Steps 17-21

17. Fill the clavos (decorative nails) with solder.

18. Place the clavos on the front of the frame and attach them with a torch—which will melt the solder filling.

19. Clean the frame with acetone.

20. Buff the frame with steel wool.

21. Insert glass and a picture into the tinwork picture frame.

Web site: www.b-c-designs.com