How to make a large wooden rectangle frame

[d000hg]

This is probably a really basic thing, but I'm making thin wooden frames approx 2x1m out of 2x1" timber to put netting on. I'm screwing the pieces together rather than using brackets.

I got one built nice and square eventually but it's a right pain trying to hold two long bits of wood square while drilling/screwing without at least one extra arm!

There must be a trick but it's so big and unwieldy and flimsy until all 4 corners are fixed?

 

[sircerebus666]

https://www.toolstation.com/alumini...sREj-L64MiqlbFev2O6CvrmGpC7k90rRoCeWwQAvD_BwE

If you use a pair of these to hold your workpiece whilst you fix it you will find it easier and you can check the frame is square too

 

[foxhole]

Clamp to a flat surface .

 

[d000hg]

Clamp to a flat surface .

And if you don't have a bench this large?

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

I would have clamped the corners together and maybe fitted a temporary diagonal. But with a 2x1 frame presumably only fixed in the corners with no brackets it'll always be somewhat fragile

 

[d000hg]

I would have clamped the corners together and maybe fitted a temporary diagonal. But with a 2x1 frame presumably only fixed in the corners with no brackets it'll always be somewhat fragile

Yeah it is but that's fine. The mesh adds a fair amount of rigidity... these are going to be used to protect fruit bushes but it's very similar to what you see for mosquito screening - really basic. The one I built already is fine, strength-wise as long as I treat it properly.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Ahh metal mesh - make sense now.

 

[d000hg]

Ahh metal mesh - make sense now.

Oh sorry if I didn't say, yeah like chicken wire

 

[Tigercubrider]

Take a 12" square bit of ply/mdf about 1/2" thick.
Cut 2 bits of 2x1 or 2x2 timber
Place the first bit of timber and line it up with an edge of the ply- about 2" from the corner.
Screw though the ply into the timber.
At that corner, fix another bit of 2x2 in the same way on the next edge of the ply.
(If the sides were numbered 1-4 we are using 1&2)

Then use clamps to hold each piece of frame material so that they meet in the corner and you can fix together.

You could also use triangles of ply in the corners- needs to be weather resistant

 

[foxhole]

And if you don't have a bench this large?

https://www.wish.com/product/5df353...dPD_BwE&hide_login_modal=true&share=mobileweb

 

[d000hg]

Neat idea. Tools you never knew you needed!

 

[JohnD]

And if you don't have a bench this large?

floor.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

floor.

Clamp it to the floor? How would that work then?

 

[JohnD]

to lay it out on.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Well foxy suggested clamping it down.