taking out an inset frame

[Know Nothing]

I'm not sure of the correct terminology, so bear with me. I have an old fancy large wooden frame that has a smaller plain frame attached inside. I'd like to remove that smaller frame without damaging at least the outer frame. I can see some nails driven from the inside of the smaller frame into the larger frame and they are at least flush, sometimes below that, and a few have been driven on an angle that has made the shank visible on the outer edge of the inner frame. Suggestions?

 

[Nikodeumus]

It can be hard work to remove stacked frames that are nailed together.

You really need to be careful not to put pressure on the narrow rabbet lip of the larger frame. Can easily be cracked.

In the past I have been able to get a pair of wire snips in the gap between the frames and cut the nail shaft.
I then could remove the inner frame.
Thick nails may not be easy to cut this way.

(If you have an electric rotary cut off tool that may be easier. Dremel, etc.)

There were sharp little stubs of the cut nail sticking out of the now exposed larger frame rabbet.

I pried them out where I could. A couple I couldn't get out so I filed them smooth then tapped them into the frame to counter sink them below the surface of the wood.

You don't want to leave any nail bits in the rabbet where it could touch glass. That will likely eventually cause the glass to crack.

If you can get a few nails out, you may be able to gently pry the rest of the inner frame outwards, loosening the nails enough to then get a grip with hammer or pliers.

 

[MnSue]

depending on the depth, a dremel or metal saw bland is the least damaging IMHO. One the frames are separated you can pull the remaining cut nail, or just pound it into the frame

 

[Prospero]

I suspect that the small inner frame is what is called a 'Liner'. Unfortunately out ancestors
paid little heed to reversibility and would wack in huge nails. If there is a big enough gap
you might get a Dremel +cut-off wheel in far enough. If not maybe an angle grinder and
go through wood and all. It's a bit extreme but will do less damage than trying to prise it out.

Another way is to locate the nail heads and nibble around them with a drill enough to expose
enough of the nail to get a purchase on with a pair of long-nosed pliers. It's an irksome task but
if you take time you can do it.

I often think that Framing has much in common with Dentistry.

 

[David Hewitt]

OSCILLATING TOOL

 

[Rick Granick]

I usually have pretty good luck using a chisel to pry the inner frame up a bit, then pushing it back down, which sometimes backs out a nail or two enough to grab it and pull it out. After that, a little more prying usually allows the whole inner frame to be lifted out, then you can remove the nails.
Rick

 

[Prospero]

I do a LOT of liners. Just cut the rails for about 20.
When fixing them in I drill pilot holes and use pins though the rabbet which only penetrate about 1/8" into the outer frame.
This holds the liner in perfectly well but if you ever need them removing, which does happen, they are easy to lever out.