Replies

1. 
   hammer1 | Oct 07, 2009 04:21am | #1

   There are lots of ways to clamp up miters, what kind of miters are you talking about, picture frame, flat casing on a door, a mitered box, a coopered column, crown moldings, short ones, long ones? Since there are so many, there are different ways to clamp them.

   Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

1. 
   tomcarver | Oct 07, 2009 04:38am | #2

   You're right, I was not clear. These miters are for a small boxes 6" x 10". One in basswood, one in maple.Thanks,
   Tom

1. 
   bldrbill | Oct 07, 2009 04:41am | #3

   A Collins clamp should work well for that.  Get the pliers that go with the clamps unless you have the grip of a gorilla.

2. 
   gofigure57 | Oct 07, 2009 01:30pm | #5

   Tom ,

   Seems like masking tape and miter fold method would work fine. 

   Tom.

3. 
   BG | Oct 07, 2009 01:41pm | #6

   tomcarver,I don't remember a specific article but as Hammer indicated there are tons of ways. Personally, I use "L" shaped blocks with the short leg at a 45 degree angle. I made a bunch of these on the bandsaw from some scraps. The "L's" are attached to the outside of the box sides with C-clamps and spring clamps bring the "L's" together after glue is applied.

4. 
   RalphBarker | Oct 07, 2009 08:36pm | #9

   For small boxes, I use the nylon-strap band clamps with corner braces to maintain 90° corners. The Merle clamps linked above are superior, but more expensive. Traditional miter clamps for picture framing will also work, but don't provide pressure into the miter. They just hold the pieces square.

2. 
   RickL | Oct 07, 2009 12:55pm | #4

   http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/smarthtml/pages/merle_clamp.html
   These are the best I've found. Easy for one person to work. The steel banding makes it easier than nylon straps.

3. 
   chscholz | Oct 07, 2009 03:54pm | #7

   Easy way out:

   Add M&T to the miters, no need for glue, ergo no need for clamps. Has been done in China for about a thousand+ years.

   Chris

   Chris Scholz

   Dallas/Fort Worth, TX

   Galoot-Tools

1. 
   PeteToo | Oct 07, 2009 08:25pm | #8

   Sorry for my ignorance but what the heck is "M&T"?  Mortice and tenon? - and if so how applied?

   Pete

1. 
   chscholz | Oct 07, 2009 10:56pm | #10

   Sorry, Pete I was not too clear. Here is a quick sketch:

   View Image

   ChrisChris Scholz

   Dallas/Fort Worth, TX

   Galoot-Tools

1. 
   gofigure57 | Oct 08, 2009 02:27am | #11

   Nice sketch , might be tough to do on a box though.

   Tom.

2. 
   PeteToo | Oct 08, 2009 05:23am | #12

   Oh!  Okay!  Neat sketch too!  But that note about a box structure is correct ... and I had pictured a box structure in my mind when this thread started.  Yours is a great solution for a picture frame or mirror frame or the like ... but I wonder if I could do it without thoroughly screwing it up.  That being the case I'm just gonna have to try it.  All four corners, too...  Wow!

   *Grin*

   Thanks for the response!

   Pete

4. 
   knuts | Oct 08, 2009 03:44pm | #13

   Did I miss something? Splines won't work for these? Anyway, I also am a big fan of Merle clamps too.

5. 
   Eef | Oct 10, 2009 12:40am | #14

   tom,

   great, versatile and symmetric miter clamping may be had using twine, rope or string wrapped around the project and twisted tight, using a stout stick, much like one would tighten a tourniquet.
   eef

6. 
   wotnow | Oct 10, 2009 04:24am | #15

   Tom
   The masking tape method is quick and effective, I've had good success with rubber bands (good stationery shops have many different sizes) and also using bungy cord and hospital strangulation tube (as used for slingshots) is excellent.