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Hey all!

I made this picture frame to commemorate our viewing of the total eclipse this year (2017). The photo within is my own as well - it is a mosaic of images of the progression of the eclipse, totality, and then the exit 'diamond ring', above a view of both horizons during the eclipse. It was a very moving experience. There is something very primal about it and the pictures still bring that back in a strong way when viewing them. So I thought a nice frame was just what was in order.

This is made of walnut and maple. The corners are lap joints. In each corner I've made a set of holes to evoke the progression of the eclipse. The top left shows the full 'sun' as a hole in the walnut allows the light colored maple to show through. Then in the top right I used a scroll saw to cut out about a quarter phase eclipse. Bottom left is about half. Finally, in the bottom right i used an ebony stain on a walnut dowel to make a black disk. For anyone who has been to a total eclipse, you know there is a major difference between 99% covered and 100% covered. So I wanted this to really stand out. I'm pretty happy with how it turned out.

There is a chamfer on the inside to help give the frame a thinner appearance around the photo. The outside is just lightly chamfered with a block plane to ease the edge.

Several firsts on this project for me:

-First picture frame.
-First lap joints. They were cut on the table saw, and cleaned up with a shoulder plane. Went well, and I actually manged to figure out the set up for both depth and height the first try! Probably never happen again.
-First time using my router table extension I built in to my table saw. That might be the subject of a future project here, but for now I can say it is WAY nicer than my Kreg bench top (which I did not think was bad).
-First scroll sawing. Had to borrow it from my brother. I am not good at it. There was a lot of filing but it came out OK
-First time working with walnut. Really nice to work with. I've had a ton of maple (still do), and you forget just how hard that stuff is. Walnut works nice. I was a bit afraid I'd be allergic to the dust - I am allergic to walnuts themselves - but no problems.

I actually made 3 of them. One to keep, a couple to give away to people who viewed with us.

Thanks for looking!
Brian

Gallery

Comments

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3,498 Posts
Very clever, Brian. I like the treatment in the corners, and I'm glad you pointed that out. We only got about 70% blockage here in south Louisiana. Well done on the planning and execution of the picture and frame.
 

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4,502 Posts
Those corners are truly an excellent feature! Nice way to remember the event.
 
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