Antique window frame mirror

While perusing the projects section and particuarily Karson’s Caboose window overhaul, I remembered a project that I built that you might find of interest.

I accquired three 150 year old storm windows from a really old house nearby, while doing an overhaul for the owner. This house has seven (7) fireplaces! Three in the basement, one of those that was used to smoke meat and two others for baking bread. The frames had been stored in an attic for a long time and although many of the individual panes were broken, they were in pretty good shape. They measure 30” high by 31” wide and the paint is origonal. The glass panes were all “water glass” and very thin. I carefully took the frames completely apart removing all the glass and glazing and nails, etc. After a light brushing to remove the peeling paint pieces (say that three times fast) I trimmed 1/2” off the backs of the trim boards, etc. Then I reglued and doweled them back together using Titebond II. An interesting fact I discovered was that these frames were all hand made. They are joined with a mortise and tenon and dowel pinned. All the pins were individually carved, likewise with the tenons and mortises. Interesting history find. Can you imagine how long it took the maker to create these?

Once the glue had dryed I set a large mirror and applied a 1/4” piece of Luan plywood to finish it off. One thing I also did was to coat it with gloss polyurethane to protect them from a moist enviroment. It has protected the finish quite well, but I’m not so sure I like that shine it creates. I have one hanging in the dining area and one in the master bathroom. The third I gave to my sister-in-law as a gift.

Later, while wandering thru the farmers market, I found a display where someone had done the same thing, only using new frames. They were selling for $100.00 or better! So next time you think of tossing out that old frame, you might want to think twice!

-- Bob Vila would be so proud of you!