Mirror with a frame and fillet

[DVieau2]

The frame design calls for a 30 x 40 mirror, frame and a fillet inside the frame as a frame enhancer.

The mirror will rest on the rabbit of the frame so I’m not worried about the strength of the package.

I’ve never liked gluing fillets directly to frames and every time I do it I invent a new method.

I’m also concerned about the ugly backside of the fillet reflecting back. We will, of course, paint the inside rabbit but I would like to fill and sand the back of the rabbit space. I’m concerned about the filler chipping away with time.

How do you guys attach a fillet to the lip of a frame and what should I use as a filler?

Doug

 

[Framerguy]

Doug,

In theory you get the same reflection as the thickness of the mirror, so you would get about a quarter inch of reflection from a quarter inch flat mirror. In the real world I think it may be a little less, in fact. For beveled mirror you will get much less reflection as the mirror is very thin on the edge. With that in mind, I would paint the back side of the fillet black or whatever neutral color pleases you and let it go.

Regarding mounting fillets, I use fillet tape and have for years and have exactly 0 comebacks on fillets coming loose or slipping or exploding or anything else! You can alternate strips of fillet tape with dabs of PVA glue. You can PVA glue totally. You can use a 5 minute epoxy if you want. It doesn't much matter as long as the fillet stays in place for the duration and you don't have any comebacks for faulty glue joints on the fillets.

I am not sure why you want to use a filler on this job?? The fillet will be "clamped" between a heavy mirror and the rabbet of the frame. I would be more concerned about the proper hanging materials than the hidden side of the fillet. If you paint the outer edge of the backside for a quarter inch or so you should be good to go in my opinion.

People don't usually go to a mirror to criticize the reflection of the fillet back. They are more concerned about something hanging out of their nose or the condition of their makeup!

 

[Robert Kellum]

Use fillet tape. Once it is set in place I run a thin bead of "hot-glue" around the back edge of the fillet where it meets the rabbet of the frame. Done.

 

[Rick Granick]

You didn't say whether the mirror is bevelled. I was thinking that if it is, the pressure of fitting would put more force on the "sight edge" of the fillet than on the part under the frame's lip, causing the corners of the fillet to pop. However, I think if you use Robert's method, you should be fine.
Rick