The Technique of FURNITURE MAKING

MIRRORS

Mirrors are usually 1/4 in (6 mm) first-quality polished plate glass silvered and protected. Frameless mirrors should have all edges ground and polished, but framed mirrors need only ground edges. Rough cut edges should not be used even in framing, for the sharp edges of the fractures will be clearly visible from the sides, and even with ground edges it is usual to matt black the frame rebates/rabbets to cut down unwanted reflections.

Framed mirrors

Frames need be of light section only, for the glass itself will keep the framework square and rigid, and the plywood back will strengthen the jointing. A typical cheval mirror glass with stand is shown in 448:1,2 with 1 in (25 mmm) by 1 in (25 mm) frame jointed as 448:9. The stand (448:1) has a bearer rail tenoned into the tapered standards, and the legs are dowelled on 448:2. Small blocks are screwed to the standards (448:2A), and a thin lath fixed across the width to tie the standards in, while the mirror frame is mounted with drop or ring handles screwed through, with a wood button spacer as shown in 448:7. The friction created by giving the drop handles half a turn is usually sufficient to keep the heaviest mirror in the desired position. The mirror glass itself is cut about 1/16 in (1.5 mm) shy all round, and held in position with small softwood wedges glued and pinned (440:10,

11) , while the plywood back can be attached (440:10) or let into a rebate/rabbet (448:11). It should not be glued in case the glass has to be replaced at any time, but should be brass screwed at frequent intervals. Figure 448:11 also shows a method of forming the frame rebate by gluing on an 1/8 in (3 mm) facing piece, often cross-grain saw-cut veneer in old work. Figures 448:3,4 show a small toilet mirror with stand, with the standards sloping fractionally, and the mirror frame also attached by small drop handles. If wings are added to these toilet mirrors (448:5) the bearer rail shown in 448:3 can be omitted, and the spread of the feet reduced (448:6), as the angle of the wings will support the complete mirror. The framing need only be jointed as 448:8, with a facing thickness to form the rebate, and the wings attached to the standards with brass butts or back-flap hinges. Drop handles cannot be used for this type as they would foul the wings, and a friction-plate assembly is used of which

449 Wall mirror designed and made by John Coleman in sycamore and pearwood

448:12 is an example of the many types available. The feet of the stands should be tipped with felt or baize to prevent scratching polished surfaces when the mirror is moved.