How to Build Your Own Tufting Frame

October 03, 2026

Building your own frame is a great way to save money and get exactly the size you need. You'll need a drill and a hammer in addition to the materials below.

Watch the build in this video, then follow the steps below.

Materials for a 72" × 72" Frame

• 5 pieces of lumber: 2" × 3" × 96"
• Approximately 24 feet of carpet tack strip (we recommend buying two packs of three 4-foot strips — choose a version with pre-installed nails, and add wood glue for extra security; avoid peel-off adhesive-back varieties)
• 2.5" screws for frame construction
• 1.25" screws for leg braces
• Wood glue and nails (or a staple gun)

Instructions

1. Cut frame pieces: Cut the ends of four lumber pieces at 45-degree miter angles to create the four sides of your frame.
2. Assemble the frame: Join the four mitered pieces into a square using screws and wood glue at each corner. Let dry.
3. Add leg braces: Cut the fifth piece of lumber into two 24", two 16" and two 8" pieces, with 45-degree cuts at both ends of the 8" pieces. Use these six pieces and the 1.25" screws to build two T-shaped leg braces, attach them to the base of the frame, and stand the frame upright.
4. Attach carpet tack: Attach carpet tack strips around the frame, on the side you'll tuft on. The teeth should face out toward you and angle away from the center of the frame. This is what grips your tufting cloth and holds it taut.
5. Mount your cloth: Press the tufting cloth onto the carpet tack teeth, starting from the center of each side and working outward to keep it evenly stretched.

Tip: A sturdy, well-built frame makes a huge difference in how your tufting turns out. Wobbly cloth leads to uneven pile and frustration. Take your time building it right.

Building a Large Frame That Won't Bend

If your frame bows or bends when you stretch your cloth tight, especially on larger frames, the beams need more strength. There are three main options, depending on the tools you have:

• Doubled-up 2×6 lumber: Use doubled 2×6 boards for the longest lengths. Set the long horizontal beams with the boards standing on edge (vertical) to take advantage of the natural strength of the wood grain. If the frame is longer than standard board lengths, stagger the seams so the joints don't line up.
• Steel box tube: Very rigid, but needs welding or a metal shop. For reference, our 10 × 13 ft CNC frame is made from 4×6 box tube with a 1/4" wall, which is more than most frames need.
• Aluminum box tube (around 4×6): Much lighter and easier to work with than steel, and still stiff.

Professional tufting studios such as Kramis and Dovecot have shared videos of their frames, and those are worth a look for ideas. If you'd like help designing a specific frame, contact us. We offer frame design consultations for a small fee.

Replacing Damaged Tack Strips

If the tack strips on your frame get chipped or bent, you don't need a new frame. Standard carpet tack strip is sold at home-improvement stores such as Home Depot. Pull off the damaged strips and attach new ones in their place. This is also an easy way to build a second frame.

What Size Frame Should I Build?

Build your frame around the size of the pieces you plan to tuft and the cloth you plan to use most often. This lets you get the most out of your fabric with the least waste. The chart below estimates how many pieces you can tuft from our Primary Tufting Cloth at different frame sizes.

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