Making a picture frame using the MFT/3 and track saw?

[Jimxavier]

The MFT/3 CNC hole pattern is incredibly accurate.

Here’s the gear I have:

QWAS dogs
UJK clips/TSO dogs
MFT/3
Track saw
Fence
Benchdogs UK - Fence Dogs
Clamping elements

Id like to know how I can use this to make a picture frame?

I don’t have a miter saw-is there any good way to make a picture frame using the MFT layout and the track saw?

A few things happened:

First the angles were slightly off

I tried to make a 5x7 frame, it was tricky because the wood did not extend past the guide rail.

Does anyone do this on a regular basis?

 

[Sanderxpander]

I can imagine getting the length of each piece slightly wrong but if the angles are off that speaks to a clamping or handling issue. If you make a triangle with two equal sides and right angle with your dogs, you butt up the workpiece against a straight side and the rails against the diagonal, there really is no way to NOT get a 45 degree angle unless your not clamping well or mishandling the saw.

 

[Michael Kellough]

Adapt the idea of a “table saw miter sled” to make a stationary fixture on the MFT. Work holding will still be an issue with those small parts. If adhesive tape isn’t adequate add some cams or clamps.

 

[Dick Mahany]

I recently made many mitered door frames.  A simple jig from scrap was used to cut the first 45 degree angle and keep lengths constant.  Then the jig was flipped to nest the first 45 degree cut end and cut the opposite side.  For a frame as small as you are trying to make this set up wouldn't work as is however it may give you some ideas on how to scale some type of fixture.  It worked very well and all of the miters closed up perfectly during assembly indicating that the lengths and angles were correct.

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[Jimxavier]

I can imagine getting the length of each piece slightly wrong but if the angles are off that speaks to a clamping or handling issue. If you make a triangle with two equal sides and right angle with your dogs, you butt up the workpiece against a straight side and the rails against the diagonal, there really is no way to NOT get a 45 degree angle unless your not clamping well or mishandling the saw.

I checked the angles they were all 45.. The problem is in fact the length.

These work pieces are pretty small. Not so small the guide rail can’t balance, but small enough there isn’t overhang on the left of the guide rail. I’m curious if anyone has any suggestions here.

Another issue I run into is that I can’t use the clamping elements because they’re so strong they push the fence slightly. There isn’t a ton of support on the ends of the fence because I’m using the fence dogs which are quite tall.

 

[Roachmill]

Securing dogs from underneath may help keep them in place. Also, for the all important bit of keeping pieces the exact same length, you could try double sided tape and cutting both opposing pieces at the same time. I've done this making frames on the mitre saw with good results in the past.

 

[Michael Kellough]

If you’re able to get the angles right the length should be easy to achieve.

 

[Sanderxpander]

Just use something to butt your workpiece up against. Look at Dick Mahany's post for inspiration.

 

[sancho57]

You dont have to miter the joints for a picture frame. Ive used butt joints with dominos and they worked and looked just fine