Routing a Picture frame profile

[Patty Hann]

Making a small picture frame from walnut, square with mitered corners.
Should I assemble the frame and then route the profile or route the piece of walnut first, (profile and rabbet), then cut /miter it to length and assemble it?
I've watched people do it both ways.

[Darrell Bade]

I would say first, I cut the rabbit for the picture and glass and route the edge at the same time. I used to make so many frames I would do a run with all the sawing and routing and then keep it on the shelf and cut to size as needed. Worked fine, as would the other way.

[John TenEyck]

Route the stock first. If you make the frame first, there's a really good chance you'll blow out the end of one of the tips of the miters at the corners, and then all your hard work is for naught.

John

[Patty Hann]

Roger dodger... Route first, then cut.
Thank you, Darrell and John.

[Michael Burnside]

I usually do rebate, sand, route, miter, assembly. IMHO people forget the sanding part often and a lot of built frames look amateurish when assembled. Personally I prefer routing last as I can do my final sanding/refinement when assembled and I feel it looks the cleanest, but you do need to be careful of the type of wood you're using and protect against cross-grain tearout. Not difficult to do, but John makes a good point. Don't use cheap or dull router bits!

[Patty Hann]

I usually do rebate, sand, route, miter, assembly. IMHO people forget the sanding part often and a lot of built frames look amateurish when assembled. Personally I prefer routing last as I can do my final sanding/refinement when assembled and I feel it looks the cleanest, but you do need to be careful of the type of wood you're using and protect against cross-grain tearout. Not difficult to do, but John makes a good point. Don't use cheap or dull router bits!

I don't do cheap bits... 99% are Whiteside with a few Freuds thrown in for color :D.
But some could use sharpening....will have to get on that.

[Warren Lake]

I don't get blow out as I climb cut but its hand held so you have control, your thing doesnt lend itself to that sure you are using a router table. Shaper high speed steel or insert head has an advantage over a small radius router bit with carbide that is not as sharp as insert or HHS. Do your sanding last after all machining is done.

[Cameron Wood]

If you assemble the frame first, any inside profile will be rounded at the corners- a lesser look by most standards.