Miter box

Hand tools required and/or preferred to achieve a high level of Craftsmanship
Post Reply
Dave Bagwill
Posts: 5951
Joined: Tue Dec 13, 2011 7:44 pm

Miter box

Post by Dave Bagwill » Wed Jan 23, 2013 3:06 pm

Fella next door gave me a used but serviceable powered miter saw.
I'm a wuss when it comes to noise and would prefer to use a good miter box and hand saw. I have a couple of cheap plastic boxes that just won't 'cut' it - wobble etc - and a pretty handy zona box for little stuff.
Can you recommend a Good quality box/saw? I hear Nobex is ok, Empire sucks, don't know much about Stanley. Ebay has a zillion vintage boxes which don't really interest me.
Any recommendations other than wearing ear protection with the big power saw? :-)
-Under permanent construction

Ray Ussery
Posts: 662
Joined: Wed Dec 21, 2011 12:51 am

Re: Miter box

Post by Ray Ussery » Fri Jan 25, 2013 5:12 pm

Make one Dave...there are any number of aluminum channel sizes to choose from...calculate the angles you will use the most and use a metal blade (Hacksaw one or more) the width of the cut you need if that's a issue...get one BIG enough to handle most of the sizes you would cut...but small enough to hold the material size you will use...different or odd degree of angle? calculate the angle Mark it and cut it to size. Marking each cut of course. Line the channel with a piece of hardwood to protect the blade that is also replaceable when needed.
For a few bucks you can have what you need, that will accept clamps you wish and last longer than all of us combined...I thinking 12" should do it! .02 YMMV yadda yadda yadda
Or go to Harbor FT and get one of the little power miter saws that Ken and I mentioned i another thread that makes little more noise than a razor...then I'm deaf anyway...

Ray :>)

Dave Bagwill
Posts: 5951
Joined: Tue Dec 13, 2011 7:44 pm

Re: Miter box

Post by Dave Bagwill » Fri Jan 25, 2013 5:22 pm

Maybe I'll give that a shot, Ray. I have one of the little miter saws you're talking about and it works fine for what is. Scares me though - not the noise, it's that exposed blade, I've had a close call or three so I don't use it any more.

I'm thinking more that a good, shop-made shooting board to perfect the miter box cut is the way to go.

Thanks for the input!
-Under permanent construction

Post Reply