I am building a living room wall mirror (because the wife told me so).

 

It will be 5 feet wide and roughly 2 feet tall.

 

Oak (reclaimed pallet wood).

 

What size should the rabbit be for the mirror?

 

Bonus question. Should I cut the rabbit on the table saw or after it is put together at which time I can use a router?

 

Thank you kindly.

 

Single diamond, double diamond or plate? Buy the mirror first, then cut the rabbet!

John

Diamond? I have no clue. I didn't even know these were questions.

 

I was going to take the frame to a glass shop and tell them to put a mirror in it.

 

I think I'm going to have a hard board backer too.

I'd stop at the glass shop and check on prices for the various mirror glass types and thicknesses. Unless you are getting a mirror with beveled edges, I'd make the frame first and then get the mirror cut.

 

Personally, I cut the rabbets on a table saw then build the frame. I think it's a personal choice on this.

A technique that I use when picture framing -- make the glass 1/8" less in both directions from the area it's going to fit in.   That allows for any deviation when cutting, warping of the wood, out of square, etc.

 

I cut rabbets on the table saw with a normal blade, I have it done before I could put in a dado blade or get the router and set it up with a rabbetting bit (unless you are like Normie and have a router for each bit and setting).  This work as long as the corners are mitered.   If they are butted or something else, you might see the rabbet this way.

 

I normally make the rabbets 3/8" wide and whatever depth is needed to capture the "package" and give me the right distance in from the front.

Edited December 5, 20169 yr by kmealy

That will be a heavy mirror. I'd call your glass shop and ask what thickness they suggest.

Wonder why no one offered to tell you what thicknesses mirrors comes in? After you check the prices you will probably want the 1/8".

That size you might want to go with a thicker mirror. and you will probably want to consider a hardboard backer for support.

Be careful that you don't get a mirror with an old man stuck inside. I see those everywhere nowadays!

 

Dave

 

16 hours ago, Fred W. Hargis, Jr said:

That will be a heavy mirror. I'd call your glass shop and ask what thickness they suggest.

I figured it would be heavy. I'm considering adding a French cleat to hang it from. This way if kids get to acting stupid hopefully the mirror stays on the wall.

AAAAHHHHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA  been there done that.

 

You gotta go see the glass man.  Mirrors are the thickness of the glass that you order.

 

I suggest you not go with a 5 foot long mirror.  Go with a series of shorter lengths

It'll cost you a lot less.  If you want 5 feet you may end up with rather thick glass and it is expensive.

 

You may be able to get a mirror the size you want at target or   walmart and take that one out of the frame

But it'll not be a full five feet.

 

 

2 hours ago, Dave in Ohio said:

Be careful that you don't get a mirror with an old man stuck inside. I see those everywhere nowadays!

 

Dave

 

Must be some sort of epidemic! I see those around here too.

John

You can get an idea here.

https://www.dullesglassandmirror.com/information-center/glass-thickness

 

Herb

8 hours ago, Dave in Ohio said:

Be careful that you don't get a mirror with an old man stuck inside. I see those everywhere nowadays!

 

Dave

 

 

5 hours ago, HARO50 said:

Must be some sort of epidemic! I see those around here too.

John

...must be a batch of defective mirrors that got past QC...I've even seen them in my truck...

Edited December 6, 20169 yr by Grandpadave52

3 hours ago, Dadio said:

You can get an idea here.

https://www.dullesglassandmirror.com/information-center/glass-thickness

 

Herb

 

Herb,

Dulles glass says 1/4" glass that would weigh more than 30lbs. They also suggested to install the mirror on the wall and then frame around it. Finally it will be over two hundred bucks.

 

Time to convince the wife otherwise.

Yes it is good you researched this before you built the frame. Glass/mirrors are not cheap, and cutting a mirror is not cheap. I like the suggestion to shop for premade mirrors, sometimes get a better price and maybe combine more than one for your needs. When I was young we had a large mantle mirror and it did wonders for the living room ,gave the illusion of being twice as large a room.

herb

17 minutes ago, ACR_SCOUT said:

 

Herb,

Dulles glass says 1/4" glass that would weigh more than 30lbs. They also suggested to install the mirror on the wall and then frame around it. Finally it will be over two hundred bucks.

 

Time to convince the wife otherwise.

Take a trip through some of your local thrift stores, flea markets, Goodwill, Habitat for Humanity Restore, and antique shops. It's amazing what shows up in these places from time-to-time. Shoot, you may even find one already framed she really likes...that would be a win-win...all except getting it home safe and on the wall. 

transport it vertically.. increase yur odds...

@Grandpadave52,

I'd love to go to antique stores out in the mountains but momma wants the mirror(s) to match the end tables and lamps. Highly unlikely that will be found anywhere because built the end tables and lamps.

However, I will go to find mirror(s) to cut down and use. Can antique glass be cut or would I be violating some kind of antique etiquette?

 

Thanks for the suggestion.

3 minutes ago, Stick486 said:

transport it vertically.. increase yur odds...

 

Understood. I think I will have to bring along some kind of padding because the ole' F350 is not a smooth machine but it sounds cool.