Heart in Heart Picture Frame + Bandsaw Circle Jig Plan

Design your heart frame!

I designed this in Sketchup (free version) and made my cutting templates from there.

Credit:
This project originated from a video produced by Steve Ramsey over at
www.Woodworkingformeremortals.com

Step 1: Prepare Your Blank(s)

Material required: (Rough Dimensions)

1 -½ x 7x 9 (Outer Heart)
2 –¼ x 5 x 7 (Inner Heart)
1 –½ x 6 ¼ x 6 ¼ (Base)

I used oak cut-offs however
Any material will do!

Step 2: Material Preparation (Large Heart)

This piece will be my base and large heart.

It is 1/2" thick!

Step 3: Inner Heart Material

These are my ¼” boards for my inner heart.

They will be placed back to back with double sided tape, drilled and trimmed to shape.

Step 4: Layout

- With your thin 1/4" material taped together

- Cut out and attach your template for the inner heart.

- Drill a 1 ½” hole, this will be where your picture sits.

Step 5: Cut Your Shapes

Cut out your pattern.

Leave a small amount around your design for sanding to the line.

Step 6: The Outside Heart

Use the same technique to cut the large heart.


To cut the inside of the heart, make an entrance point at the bottom point of the heart

Step 7: Close the Cut

After cutting the outside and inside of your large heart, glue the entrance cut back together.

Step 8: Design & Rout the Picture Holder

Draw the placeholder for your picture. These cuts are very shallow, approximately 1/64". on each half of the inner heart (Picture 1) I used 2 business cards to set my router depth.

I routed the shapes freehand with the pieces taped down to my workbench. Because you are removing so little material there is no problem controlling the router (Picture 2)

Step 9: Form the Inner Heart

After routing your shallow mortise, glue the two halves of the frame back together.

Step 10: Sanding & Routing

When the glue dries, sand both the outer and inner heart and if desired round over all of the inner and outer edges.

Step 11: The Base

Prepare your material for your base. I used 1/2" material left over from the original board. The base should be approximately 6" in diameter..

If you have a circle cutting jig for your bandsaw it is very easy to obtain a perfect 6" circle.

If you would like to build a circle jig, I found this instrcutional video on the web from the Wood Workers Guild of America.

http://video.wwgoa.com/video/Circle-Jig-on-a-Bandsaw-2

Jig; See Photo 2

Step 12: Attach the Frame

Locate the centre of your base and hand cut a mortise to accept the point of the large frame

When you have a nice snug fit , glue the heart to the base..

Step 13: Wrap It Up

Finish as desired and insert two of your favourite photos.



Have Fun ....... always wear your safety gear so you can enjoy woodworking for many more years!