The mirror we had was nothing special. It had been leaning up against a wall for ever, looking like it was waiting to be moved more that waiting to be used. Here is how we made it better.
So we started with some pre-milled 1×6. After measuring the glass, my dad measured positioning for the rabbet. A rabbet is a sort of channel you cut into the wood, that will allow the glass to rest inside the frame.
![](https://beltsandboxes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/0-35-screenshot-1024x576.png)
To cut the rabbet, we really should have used a router table, but we didn’t have one yet when we built this. So instead, my dad made a simple jig for our trim router, and then carefully cut the rabbets into each piece.
![](https://beltsandboxes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/0-39-screenshot-1-1024x576.png)
Next we used pocket holes to secure the butt joints.
![](https://beltsandboxes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/1-2-screenshot-2-1024x576.png)
After it was all together, we spent plenty of time sanding it all down.
At the last minute, my Dad suggested that leaving the endgrain of a butt joint exposed on top wasn’t good enough, so he quickly put together a cap, and secured it with glue and our brad nailer.
![](https://beltsandboxes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/1-13-screenshot-1-1024x576.png)
After that I decided to sand it one more time using 220 grit sandpaper, not only to make it feel nice but to make the stain look more uniform.
![](https://beltsandboxes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/1-23-screenshot-2-1024x576.png)
Then it was time for the stain. I decided to use a dark walnut. I like to apply stain using shop rags. First I laid it on thick against the grain, and then I would quickly wipe off the excess with a second rag, this time with the grain, and the results were absolutely beautiful.
![](https://beltsandboxes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/1-30-screenshot-2-1024x576.png)
After it dried I dropped the mirror to test the fit, and of course since my dad made the rabbet, it fit perfectly. Now to hold the mirror in place, I grabbed some scrap ¼” ply, and cut off 6 tabs. Then I used some sanding blocks to sand down all of the edges to make them smooth.
![](https://beltsandboxes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/1-49-screenshot-1-1024x576.png)
I put all 6 in place, Screwed a few pilot holes with a counter sink for the screw heads. At that point I realized if I didn’t stain the tabs, it would drive me nuts, so I did that really quick off camera.
![](https://beltsandboxes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/1-53-screenshot-1-1024x576.png)
When they dried, I carefully screwed them all into place by hand as to not over tighten and risk coming out the front or shattering the tabs.
![](https://beltsandboxes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/2-5-screenshot-1024x576.png)
After blowing off the sawdust, it was time to take it outside for a few beauty shots, and would you look at that! Such an huge improvement with very little effort. Always love that.
![](https://beltsandboxes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/2-24-screenshot-1-1024x576.png)