The Oval Picture Frame
Use Shopsmith’s Overarm Pin Router to build this project and you’ll actually have THREE marketable projects when you’re finished…it’s true !

An oval frame can greatly enhance the photo, painting or mirror it frames. However, keeping all the dimensions correct can sometimes tax even the most skilled woodworker. Figure A below will help you make that frame fit what you want to put in it.
First, measure the width and height of the item you’re planning to frame (these dimensions the length of the two axes in your oval).
On a piece of heavy paper, establish the axes of the desired lengths (In Fig A., these are represented by lines AB and CD). Draw these lines so the midpoint of each crosses at point E.
To find points G and H, swing an arc the length of AE from points C and D. Where these arcs cross ,line AB, points G & H will be found. Place straight pins or push pins at points C, F and G.
Tie string or thread around points C, F and G. Place the tip of a pencil at point C and remove that pin. Keep the string tight and move the pencil from C to B and part of your oval will appear. Follow around the other points to complete oval #2 (See Fig. B).
Now, you can develop your frame by drawing concentric ovals around new points 1/2" inside and 1-1/4” outside the original points AE.

No matter which method you plan to use in constructing these frames, if you’re careful, when you’re through cutting everything out, you’ll have a square frame with an oval light (or cut-out), an oval frame with an oval light and an oval decoupage plaque.

Making The Frame

Overarm Pin Router Method
1: Place the oval pattern on a piece of 3/8” thick plywood and trace to make your routing template.
2: Use your Bandsaw or Scroll Saw to cut out this oval disc…then your Disc Sander or Drum Sander to sand your template edges smooth.
NOTE: This template can then either be screwed directly to your stock if you’re making just a couple of frames or mounted to a piece of 3/4” thick plastic laminate-covered particleboard (sink cut-out) to make a fixture for mass-producing high quantities of these frames.
3: Attach the template to a piece of 3/4" particleboard (or stock) with two countersunk #8 x 1” flathead wood screws positioned near points C and D.
4: Using the Shopsmith Overarm Pin Router with a 1/4" straight bit and a 3/8” Guide Pin, trace around the outer edge of the template as you cut 3/8” deep grooves in the laminate side of the fixture blank. NOTE: This is done with progressive cuts advancing the depth 1/8” with each successive pass.
5: Using the same screw holes and #8 x 1” screws, attach the particleboard master to your frame stock (we used red oak 14” x 11” x 1”). Be sure to countersink all screws to a depth of 1/4” to keep them from catching and dragging on your worktable surface.
6: Repeat step 4, but cut out the oval profile in the frame stock and remove the frame from the fixture.
7: Using the Overarm Router with the starter pin and a 5/32" bearing-piloted Ogee bit , form the decorative outer edge in two progressive cuts.
8: For the internal decorative cove, use a piloted 1/4" Cove bit and starter pin in a similar manner to step #7, above. For the back rabbet, use a 3/8” bearing-piloted Rabbeting bit . Be sure you’re always cutting against the rotation of the bit, as climb-cutting can be dangerous.
9: Sand and apply the finish of your choice.

Scroll Saw Method

1: Place the oval pattern on your frame stock and trace.
2: Use your Scroll Saw to make the external and internal cuts for your frame…then your Disc Sander or Drum Sander to sand your edges smooth.
3: Using a hand-held Router or your MARK V Router Package with the starter pin and a 5/32" bearing-piloted Ogee bit , form the decorative outer edge in two progressive cuts.
4: For the internal decorative cove, use a piloted 1/4" Cove bit and starter pin in a similar manner to step #3, above. For the back rabbet, use a 3/8” bearing-piloted Rabbeting bit . Be sure you’re always cutting against the rotation of the bit, as climb-cutting can be dangerous.
9: Sand and apply the finish of your choice.

Suggested retail price: $15 to $20 each

Materials and diagrams...