Many craftsmen are faced with the need to cut material at a certain angle. A manual or automatic miter box makes the work much easier; without rulers or templates, you can use it to complete the task. There are several types of this tool.
What is a miter box?
Accurate sawing of materials at various angles is a common task faced by specialists working with wood and other materials. A miter box is a device that helps to perfectly cut any workpiece according to a template. When carrying out construction work, during repairs, the most common need is for cuts in the horizontal and vertical plane at angles: 90°, 60°, 45°.
What does a miter box look like?
The simplest carpentry device, the miter box, is considered to be a tray with high sides in which cuts are made for installing a saw. The material from which it is made must meet certain characteristics. There are several types of devices based on size:
- Small, with which you can cut a workpiece measuring 35x35 cm. The length of such a miter box is 212 mm, width – 44 mm, and height – 41 mm.
- Medium devices are designed to work with materials measuring 65x40 cm; the dimensions of such a miter box are 290x85x50 mm
- A large miter box 320x125x70 mm is most suitable for sawing workpieces measuring 90x55 mm.
What is a miter box for?
Plastic pipes, slats, baseboards, and decorative items may need to be joined together by cutting at an angle. A narrow miter box for skirting boards is used to form an ideal angle; it is convenient to use for cutting baguettes and glazing beads. Using a miter box, you can saw wood, plastic and metal products. It is believed that the device is used for the following work:
- forming a rectangular cut relative to the horizontal or vertical;
- manufacturing various corner elements according to a template.
Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages:
- Multifunctionality.
- Durability.
- Accuracy of sawing operations.
- Cutting workpieces of any thickness and length.
- Saves material consumption.
- Cut at any angle.
- A fast way to produce parts.
Disadvantages: not suitable for use in mass production.
Types of miter box
Like any tools, the miter box differs in appearance between improved and ordinary models. The design and material used for sawing workpieces vary. The most common are products made of wood and plastic. Miter box miter saws are classified according to the complexity of the mechanism into types:
- simple;
- rotary;
- electric.
Simple miter box
The most popular type of tool for sawing workpieces is a simple miter box, which is used by home craftsmen for repair work. It looks like a box with holes located at certain angles into which a hacksaw is inserted. Templates can be added independently, but the presence of angles of 45 and 90° is considered mandatory for any miter box. The advantages of such a device are its budget cost, accessible to any specialist, but the disadvantages of the tool are considered to be:
- limitation of the width of workpieces;
- imperfection of the cut;
- limited number of templates;
- Getting a quality cut requires skill.
Rotary miter box
For work that requires high measurement accuracy, specialists use a rotary tool, which is also called a precision miter box; its mechanism allows you to cut the material at different angles, the value of which can range from 15 to 135°. The device consists of a stable stand, a bed and a locking saw. Notches are made at the bottom of the platform to accurately set the cutting angle. The cost of a rotary miter box is higher than simple models; its features include:
- convenient base, suitable for any materials - wood, metal and plastic;
- cutting accuracy;
- large blade travel;
- regulation of cutting depth and other parameters;
- high quality cut.
For what purposes is it used?
To cut a piece of plinth or tile at a certain angle, you can not use any devices, but mark them with a pencil or scriber, but the accuracy will leave much to be desired. It is difficult to join parts if the cut is made incorrectly. Therefore, the craftsmen came up with a miter box that helps fix the workpiece relative to the hacksaw blade at a certain angle. This is especially important if you need to cook many identical elements.
What materials are sawed in a miter box:
- Ceramics.
- Wood.
- Steel blanks.
- Plastic parts.
Expert opinion
Levin Dmitry Konstantinovich
You can also cut with a grinder with special cutting wheels, but it is quite difficult to accurately maintain the required angle.
Electric miter box
Models equipped with an electric motor have rotating mechanisms similar in type to those installed in precision models. Understanding that this is an industrial-type miter box, specialists will have no questions about what type of tool to choose. A power saw that complements the metal platform can reduce work time and achieve a good quality cut. A laser pointer guarantees accurate marking on many models. Devices require compliance with safety precautions when working with them. The advantages of such miter boxes are recognized:
- high precision cutting of workpieces;
- speed of work.
What is the miter box made of?
Manufacturers use a variety of materials to make carpentry fixtures. A hand miter box is a simple tool made from durable, shock- and damage-resistant materials. Box-shaped universal models, which can be found in any construction supermarkets, are made of:
- wood;
- plastic;
- metal
Wooden miter box
The simplest design of a miter box is made of hard wood. Beech is most suitable for the parameters of the device; this type of wood is highly durable. A mechanical miter box made of wood is a rigid structure that guarantees precise sawing of the material. At home, you can use plywood to make it yourself, but such a tool will not be of high quality and durable. The main advantage of such a tool is its low cost.
Plastic miter box
Devices made of plastic are of low quality. Even expensive, durable synthetic material loses its properties under the influence of saw teeth. The grooves quickly wear off on such a tool, and the miter box breaks down after a few uses, and the quality of sawing becomes worse. Even an extra millimeter can ruin the finished result. Fragility is the main drawback of the device for cutting plastic workpieces. Its advantages are light weight and mobility.
Metal miter box
Tools for sawing workpieces made of light but durable metal are considered the most popular on the market. An aluminum miter box is a reliable and durable tool that will faithfully serve the home craftsman for a long time. The simplest device has the form of a U-shaped profile, in which slots are made at certain angles; adjustment is not provided for in such models. Lightweight budget models of miter boxes can be carried in a work bag and confidently used for a long time.
How to choose a miter box?
When working with wooden baseboards, boards, and other workpieces, it may be necessary to make a cut at a certain angle; for such purposes, it is convenient to have a miter box on hand. Electric and manual carpentry tools are sold in specialized stores, and it is necessary to understand the parameters for choosing this device, simple at first glance. When purchasing, the master should consider several points:
- It is necessary to decide for what purpose the tool is intended to be used. For one-time, simple work, a simple miter box will be useful; for frequent cutting, it is better to purchase a high-quality electric device.
- It is important to understand what sizes of workpieces will be cut. Depending on these parameters, the width of the working blade of the tool and the depth of cut are selected.
- Some models of miter boxes are equipped with a saw; its movement should be easy and free.
- It is worth checking whether it is convenient to secure the workpiece, count the number of clamps included with the tool.
Rating of miter boxes
Well-known manufacturers produce high-quality and time-tested models of miter boxes. Among the best rotary tools for sawing materials, the following models have proven themselves well:
- The Gross 22759 miter box
is a rotary model of the tool, which is equipped with a removable cutting blade made of high-quality steel. A comfortable handle, a base made of durable synthetic material, a scale for setting the angle, stop stops are the indisputable advantages of the device. - Matrix 22750
is a precision miter box, which differs from other models in the ability to tilt the cutting blade. Experts note the excellent performance of the tool with any materials. The rigid design securely secures the workpiece, ensuring cutting accuracy. The miter box can be mounted on a table or workbench using special holes in the legs. - Domestic miter saws
have proven themselves well in the market of tools for carpenters. The “Expert” series are rotary tools that have a number of advantages, including an aluminum body, a convenient scale, a rubber handle, the ability to quickly replace the blade, and a long service life. - NOBEX Champion 180
is a premium miter box model made from a bow saw. The high-precision scale helps you cut the correct angle, and the extension makes it easy to work with long parts. - FIT Profi 41321
is a miter box with a hacksaw 60 cm long. Reliable fixation of the material is guaranteed by special clamps, and high-quality materials ensure a long service life of the tool.
Owner reviews
Maxim: “My wife and I started renovating a children’s room and needed to replace all the baseboards. A friend advised me to buy a miter box to properly cut the baseboards. I bought it complete with a hacksaw and used it to quickly cut floor and ceiling plinths. Then, with his help, I made new photo frames. I have never regretted purchasing this instrument.”
Ruslan: “I’m renovating apartments. This means you can’t do without a miter box. At first I had a cheap model with a plastic tray and a dull hacksaw, but it quickly became unusable. After studying the reviews, I decided to purchase a rotary miter box with a hacksaw of the Russian brand “Zubr”. After two years of intensive use, it still looks like new and cuts cleanly. I recommend purchasing!”
Igor: “I work as a craftsman making wooden products. Most often I make custom frames for paintings and photographs. Previously, I drew markings on the workpiece with a pencil and sawed with a saw, hoping that the parts would form the required angle in the assembly. But it didn’t always work out well. Then I decided to buy a rotary miter box and now I regret that I didn’t buy it earlier. Making frames has become easier and faster. The right tool for the job!”
How to use a miter box?
Anyone can learn to work with a miter box if they wish. The joints of baseboards and cable ducts may need to be connected to each other. You can guarantee the least amount of defects by using a special miter box for cutting corners. The frequent step of the hacksaws helps to make the cut smooth, without burrs or chips. The rules for working with a miter box are simple:
- Before work, experts recommend adjusting the materials and marking the cutting angle with a pencil.
- It is necessary to firmly fix the workpiece in the tool body, placing emphasis on the end wall.
- Place the saw blade in the appropriate groove if the miter box is manual, or set the required angle on the rotating mechanism.
- Sawing the workpiece using uniform, confident movements.
Rules for using the device
To cut a workpiece at a certain angle you need:
- Secure the part by pressing it to the working platform with clamps or clamps that are present on the base.
- Set the angle at which you want to cut. To do this, use a side graduated scale. The bracket with a hacksaw is moved and secured at the desired angle.
- Sawing the part.
When working, you need to be careful: often inexperienced craftsmen make mistakes when calculating angles, as a result of which the workpieces have to be thrown away.
Expert opinion
Levin Dmitry Konstantinovich
To cut ceramic elements, you will need to buy a special string. They are made from hard alloys with a special coating.
DIY miter box
The simplest miter box can be made independently; it will not last long, but such a tool will be enough for renovations in an apartment. To understand how to make a miter box with your own hands, you should imagine a box consisting of three sides - one bottom and two sides. In order to make it, you will need a set of materials:
- board 1 m long, 15–20 cm thick, width corresponding to the size of the workpiece;
- saw with parameters suitable for the workpiece material;
- pencil;
- ruler;
- square;
- self-tapping screws;
- wood glue;
- rubber;
- emery cloth.
Manufacturing
- The board must be cut into three equal parts.
- Sand each part with sandpaper.
- Connect the parts in the shape of the letter “P” using self-tapping screws and glue, leave until completely dry.
- Use a square to mark the sides of the miter box, checking the lines; the accuracy of further cuts depends on this step.
- Use a hacksaw to make cuts on both sides of the miter box at once.
- Using coarse sandpaper, widen the resulting grooves.
- The finished miter box can be painted, and rubber pads can be attached to the bottom part so that the tool does not slide on the table while working.
