Best way to frame a chalkboard

I would cut a rabbit to fit

-- Ken

+1 for the rabbet. That way if something should ever damage the hardboard, it can be easily replaced.

-- Art

What would concern me more than the joinery in your plan is that 3/16” hardboard is going to flex pretty good when somebody is writing on it with chalk unless it is pressed firmly against a wall. A rabbet and a frame is a good plan, but you will have to attach the 3/16” hardboard to the wall independently of the frame (probably with some sort of construction adhesive.)

-- Jesse Felling - http://www.fellingstudio.com

Here ya go. I built a frame for a tile mosaic my wife put on the wall above and behind our stove in the kitchen. I think the same principal would apply. Cut a rabbet and attach the blackboard to the frame.

Hope this helps.
Mike

-- Handcrafted by Mike Henderson - Channelview, Texas

I would cut a slot, if anything were to happen to the board itself, it would likely need only paint + you don’t have to fasten it with anything. I usually reserve rabbets for a frame that would hold glass and have a greater chance of complete destruction necessitating replacement.

I don’t believe it really makes a lot of difference. The slot design may make the entire assembly a bit more rigid, counting on the additional integrity of the board rather than just the frame itself, if the board isn’t mounted quite firmly in the rabbeted area.

I’m curious how you plan to join the corners of the frame.

Thanks for the responses.

Jesse – I agree that the hardboard might have some flex when writing, but I’m not too concerned because it will primarily be a decorative piece. My wife also decided she wants it 3’ x 6’ instead of 4’ x 6’ which will help with the rigidity.

Yonak – I plan to glue and v nail the miters.

I plan to glue and v nail the miters.

- JMott

Then I would choose the slot method for rigidity’s sake.