| Cutting a Mitre | | | | better a marking knife to mark the wood when cutting |
| A mitre joint is used to join two lengths of wood | | | | mitre joints. The thickness of the pencil line can make |
| together at a right angle. Each piece is cut at 45 | | | | all the difference between a perfect mitre and one |
| degrees so that when they are put together they | | | | that is lopsided. |
| form a 90-degree angle. You can cut mitres by hand, | | | | The problem with a mitre box is that it only enables |
| after marking carefully, but it is much easier to use a | | | | you to cut a 45-degree angle. While this is great for |
| mitre box. This has two pairs of 45-degree slots cut | | | | putting a picture frame together or edging a doorway, |
| into it to guide the saw as it cuts the piece of wood. | | | | for generally wood work you will need to cut many |
| You are best using a tenon saw with a mitre box, as it | | | | different grades. |
| is rigid. This makes it easier to keep parallel with the | | | | Compound Mitre Saws |
| work surface. | | | | In the past few years compound mitre saws have |
| Secure the mitre box with a vice or a couple of | | | | become cheaper and cheaper, with even top brands |
| clamps. Once secure this will give you a free hand to | | | | like Makita offering a saw for less that a hundred quid. |
| hold the piece of wood being cut. Before using the | | | | Using a powered mitre saw makes the job of cutting |
| mitre box, screw a shallow piece of waste wood to | | | | angles I would say about four hundred times easier. |
| the inside so that the base will not be damaged by | | | | More expensive compound mitre saws include a guide |
| saw cuts, Measure and mark the wood to the correct | | | | laser. This projects a red line onto the piece of timber, |
| length and line up the mark with the appropriate slots | | | | showing you exactly where the blade is going to cut. |
| for the right or left mitre. | | | | A compound mitre saw also makes an excellent |
| Take great care that you get the mitre sloping the right | | | | alternative to a radial arm saw, providing the panels |
| way and that you mark the wood on the right side. If | | | | you want to cut are not too wide for the saw to cut. |
| you mark the outside of the frame, make sure that the | | | | Summary |
| mitres slope inwards. Get this wrong and you may end | | | | If you are a DIY enthusiast, you are best just buying a |
| up with a piece of wood that is too short, and hence | | | | mitre box. A compound mitre saw is not worth the |
| useless. | | | | money, as cheap as one can be, for making two cuts |
| Hold the piece of wood tight against the far side of the | | | | a year. Unless you have, money to burn that is. |
| box and, keeping the saw parallel with the base, make | | | | However if you are into woodworking tools I would |
| the cut through the saw guides. | | | | recommend buying a compound mitre saw today. It is |
| Remember to always use a sharp pencil or, even | | | | amazing how easy they make life. |