Plans for this project can be found here: https://kingsfinewoodworking.com/collections/project-plans-for-sale/products/picture-frame-shadow-box-plans
(All plan sales help support our channel, thank you)
I recently re-connected with a friend from almost 30 years ago. We found each other on facebook. I found out that he had seen some of my woodworking videos on youtube. He wanted to build a shadowbox picture frame for his mom for a Christmas gift. I thought it would be an excellent chance to get to hang out again after all those years, and revisit those old memories and share them with my family today.
My friend, Mike, is a lieutenant firefighter, as was his father before him. And his brother is a soldier in the Army. The gift for his mom will contain important keepsakes from their lives. Mike has a leather fire fighter’s helmet shield for him and his father, and a leather patch from his brother’s Army unit. He will put these together in a shadowbox picture frame along with a black and white photo of each of them. And he wanted to make it, so that the gift will have additional meaning.
We chose to use Black Cherry for the project. I helped Mike learn the basics of the woodworking tools, and him along with his son Chance, took to woodworking right away. And I think it turned out beautifully.
We used a raised panel router bit to cut out the picture frame molding. And we used an Incra Miter sled to cut the 45 degree angles. I mentioned in the video, that the sled is great if you want very precise angles of any measure, but if you simply want 45 degrees for picture frames, and boxes etc. then you should check out my Extreme Table Saw Sled video. It makes absolutely perfect flawless picture frames in seconds with no setup!
https://youtu.be/njsD5W6fcI0
We used through dovetail joinery to hold the shadowbox. If you are looking for our highly detailed tutorial to learn how to cut these, check out this video:
https://youtu.be/XOOXvh9gwOU
I hope you enjoy the build!
Things we used in the project:
Tools:
Thor’s Hammer Woodworking Mallet: https://kingsfinewoodworking.com/collections/thors-hammer-woodworking-mallets
BOSCH 12 Inch Sliding Glide Miter Saw - https://amzn.to/3j331SU
Kreg Trak and Stops Kit - https://amzn.to/3ZVgnkB
Kreg Self-Adhesive Measuring Tape - https://amzn.to/3DGNpLU
Grizzly Jointer - https://amzn.to/3j09TAk
Grizzly Cabinet Table Saw - https://amzn.to/3wXwzo1
Grizzly Planer - https://amzn.to/3x2v20l
Porter-Cable Dovetail Jig - https://amzn.to/3HwUJLc
Dewalt Router - https://amzn.to/3wKby0g
Rockler Silicone Glue Kit - https://amzn.to/3HXbbWs
Bessey 24" Parallel Clamp - https://amzn.to/3XOyl6u
Dewalt Bar Clamp - https://amzn.to/3Rgtzgd
Woodpeckers Square 12" (1281)- https://amzn.to/3E2W1gb
Ridgid 5-Inch Random Orbit Sander - https://amzn.to/3JefhdM
Microjig Grr-Ripper Table Saw Pushblock - https://amzn.to/3XQ7I1y
Push Block Set - https://amzn.to/3DvgyJX
This is all the components of the router table. These are our links.
All Woodpeckers:
Router table top: https://amzn.to/40DNVEm
Router lift: https://amzn.to/3HyOEO9
Router table stand: https://amzn.to/3JzMfFM
Router table fence: https://amzn.to/3HVlxWG
Router motor: https://amzn.to/3X28PtI
On/off switch: https://amzn.to/3YpYMjl
Raised Panel Bit w/Backcutters - https://amzn.to/3Ju0Ylm
Table Saw Miter Gauge with Sled and Telescoping Fence https://amzn.to/41qTYwl
Bessey clamp block - https://amzn.to/3ywSZxa
Soft Sanders Set - https://amzn.to/40v29aD
Ridgid Handheld Belt Sander - https://amzn.to/3Js0UD1
1/4" Shank Rabbet Router Bit - https://amzn.to/3laZoLr
Grizzly 12" Disc Sander - https://amzn.to/3wsbjH4
Dewalt Power Tool Combo Kit with 2 Batteries and Charger - https://amzn.to/3johJUr
Irwin Countersink Drill Bits - https://amzn.to/3jvbL4f
Center Punch Kit - https://amzn.to/3RpTZfh
Materials:
Titebond III Glue - https://amzn.to/3wvDDIh
Sandpaper Set 5-Inch - https://amzn.to/3Wygb7S
36 Grit Resin Cloth Aluminum Oxide Sanding Belt - https://amzn.to/3kEKH2P
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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Purchase plans on our website: https://kingsfinewoodworking.com/collections/project-plans-for-sale
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