"Paul Wolsko" wrote in message
...
Looking for some advice:

I've made an oak frame for a large mirror and now I need to set the mirror
into the frame. I've got a Fletcher point driver, but the problem seems
to be that the points slip off the tool very easily and, when they do, it
sends a shock through the frame which can cause the mirror to crack, even
though I'm using a masonite backing board. I haven't been able to find a
tool to adequately drive a point into oak without the risk of cracking the
glass - they all seem geared to small picture frames. The one I have
presses the point into the wood but, again, it slips. Others "fire" a
point in, and that implies a shock as well.

I'm not new to woodworking and I know I could fudge something, but I want
to to find something that looks good even though that part of it is facing
a wall. Any ideas?

Thanks much!

Paul

is the mirror set into a rabbet in the back of the frame, or floating like a
panel in a slot in the rail/stile of the frame?

if the latter, you don't have to do anything. if the former, then you can
trap it with thin slats of wood or metal across the corners.

hint: i like to put butcher paper on the backs of all the mirrors i make
frames for. use rubber cement to hold it to the back of the frame, not on
the back of the mirror. this prevents scratches if the mirror gets slid on
the wall.

you can use non-acid cure silicone glue and no points, but i'm not sure i'd
do that on a very large mirror.

regards,
charlie
http://glassartists.org/ChaniArts