Replies

1. 
   YesMaam27577 | Dec 03, 2003 07:56pm | #1

   Depends on what you need it for.

   When I'm doing a few pieces of exterior trim, I use one of those yellow plastic thingies, that comes with a crummy backsaw. They're available at the BORG for about $7.  It actually does a reasonably good job, and I figure that with the weather and huumidity changes, the wood's gonna move anyway.

   And when I'm doing stain grade crown molding in a house, I use the 10" Hitachi sliding compound miter saw. I was lucky and got mine on clearance -- you'll likely pay about $500 if you get one.

   And I have seriously thought about getting a Lion Miter Trimmer to improve on that.

   Vast projects should not be founded on half vast ideas.
2. 
   BG | Dec 03, 2003 08:20pm | #2

   gj13,

   I have all kinds of power equipment and expensive miter attachments to help me cut accurate angles....but let me tell you a story. 

   About a month ago I was wandering about a tag sale on a Sunday morning.  I noticed a Disston Backsaw ( 12"x3"blade) and asked how much he wanted...he said $5 bucks..I jumped on it.  He sled the saw through a piece of string that had an old crappy miter box attached to it and handed it to me.  The miter box was nothing more than 3"wx2"dx12"L...with 1/2" base and 1/4" sides.  I was going to toss it in the trash right there but decided to bring it home...positioned correctly, it kinda protected the blade in transport.

   Hardly anything ever gets tossed at home, and the crappy little miter box was no exception.  The Disston Backsaw turned out to be amazing...nice and sharp...tracked beautifully...even nicer on crosscuts than the LN dovetail saw. 

   The TS was full of stuff and I had to cut a 1/4" off several pieces of quarter inch stock.  The bench hook was on my workbench so I put the crappy little miter box on the bench hook...and wacked away with the Disston.  It worked beautifully...the dimensions of that miter box make it very handy....and you can hold the stock steady.  Normally, I would use the TS and miter gauge or a much larger miter box.  But this little crappy miter box is turning out to be of great value too...  
3. 
   JohnWW | Dec 03, 2003 08:32pm | #3

   I own a couple of antique, all metal Langdon miter boxes that make precise joinery easy and hassle free with none of the noise and dust (and expense) of a chop saw.  If you could locate one in usable condition I highly recommend buying it.

   Of the modern boxes, I know of the Nobex which is made in Sweden and the Jorgenson, which, if I remember correctly, seemed to be a Taiwanese copy of the Nobex.  I used a Nobex briefly and it seemed to work well and give a precision cut.  You can see two models of the Nobex in the Lee Valley catalog, the larger version costs $135.

   John W.

4. 
   ETG | Dec 03, 2003 08:38pm | #4

   If you can find one, the Ulmia that was carried by Woodcraft Supply is an outstanding miter box.  All cast steel, highly adjustable saw - I use it with a fine tooth metal cutting blade - does great mitering even for picture frames.  Unfortunately, they are no longer made and the copies made by Nobex and Jorgenson are no comparison.

5. 
   UncleDunc | Dec 03, 2003 08:46pm | #5

   According to one of the Breaktime readers, you don't need a miter box.

   http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages/?msg=35675.10

6. 
   Alan | Dec 04, 2003 05:01am | #6

   gj13,

   I have a Jorgenson miter box and saw.  It superficially resembles the Nobex, but lacks some of the Nobex's useful features.  If you have the money, get the Nobex; but the Jorgenson works fine for the things I want it for, and it cost about sixty dollars less (IIRC).

   If you are going to use it to make picture frames, jewelry boxes, or the like, remember that a miter box just gets you into the ballpark.  Don't expect a finished cut from whatever miter box you get.

   For finishing up miter cuts, a Lion miter trimmer is a great tool.  I owned one many many years ago--when I was making lots of picture frames.  To my great regret I sold it.  I know nothing about the Woodtek and Woodcraft clones--other than they're much cheaper than the Lion.

   To finish my miter cuts these days I use a shooting board.  So long as I take enough care making the board and its various accessories, it works great.

   Alan

1. 
   gpasewicz | Dec 04, 2003 05:11pm | #7

   Well, I guess that resolves it.

   I was hoping the miter box would give me a finish cut for frames, jewelry boxes, etc.   If I have to finish with a shooting board (I'm not really interested in buying both a miter box and a miter trimmer) I'll be just as well off to stick with the table saw.  Thanks for all your input.