diff --git a/src/frames/pieces/side.scad b/src/frames/pieces/side.scad
index 6478d39..33a1575 100644
--- a/src/frames/pieces/side.scad
+++ b/src/frames/pieces/side.scad
@@ -5,18 +5,21 @@
 
 include <parameters.scad>
 include <components.scad>
+use <frames/complete/left-frame.scad>
 use <front-or-back.scad>
 
 module side_frame_piece() {
 	piece_width = panel_support_width+frame_wall+frame_mount_column_width;
 	difference() {
-		// side piece is left/right agnostic
-		frame();
+		intersection() {
+			left_frame();
+			// include the whole left wall (including mount columns)
+			translate([-(frame_x/2)+(piece_width/2), 0, 0])
+				cube([piece_width, frame_piece_y_y, frame_z], center=true);
+		}
 		// minus the top and bottom
 		front_or_back_frame_piece();
 		rotate([180, 0, 0]) front_or_back_frame_piece();
-		// and just chop out the rest of the frame
-		translate([piece_width, 0, 0]) cube([frame_x, frame_y+1, frame_z+1], center=true);
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/src/parameters.scad b/src/parameters.scad
index 4463636..e3dd4a9 100644
--- a/src/parameters.scad
+++ b/src/parameters.scad
@@ -66,6 +66,7 @@ panel_z = 5;
 
 // some dimensions for frame pieces, useful in doing some intersections and chopping
 frame_piece_x_x = frame_x - (frame_wall * 2);	// essentially panel_x, yes
+frame_piece_y_y = frame_y;			// the whole y of the frame, yes
 
 // degree to which the extended frame pieces stick out from the end of the frame
 frame_extension_x = 25;