What are the different types of mitre box?
What are the different types of mitre box? |
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There are numerous types of mitre box available, some for specialist craftsmen like guitar makers and some for DIYers who require a multi-purpose tool. | |||
Mini mitre box |
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Mini mitre boxes are typically small with fine saw guides for intricate and delicate 45 degree and 90 degree saw cuts. Mini mitre boxes often come with clamping posts to hold the workpiece safely and securely for neat and delicate precision work.
Mini mitre boxes are typically made from either plastic or aluminium. The aluminium mini mitre box will generally have a longer life expectancy than a plastic alternative. |
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Mini mitre boxes are often referred to as model makers’ mitre boxes as they are frequently used by model makers in conjunction with a razor saw to create intricate and delicate 45 degree and 90 degree cuts. | |||
Guitar fret mitre box |
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Guitar fret mitre boxes are designed specifically for cutting the grooves for frets on a guitar. The saw is placed between rollers to allow for a very smooth and accurate cut. | |||
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To adjust the the depth of cut, place the saw blade between the saw depth guide with the saw back resting on the top of the saw depth guide. Turn the height adjustment screws to obtain the desired depth of cut.
The guitar fret mitre box can be screwed to a workbench using the mounting holes provided to ensure a firm and stable base. |
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Adjustable mitre box |
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Adjustable mitre boxes allow a variety of sizes of workpiece to be held securely in place as the mitre box walls can be adjusted to match the size of the workpiece .
The side walls can be moved apart and locked into place to accommodate different widths of workpieces. Coving comes in a range of sizes and designs. A typical adjustable mitre box will accommodate a range of coving up to 200mm (8”) deep and 180mm (7”) high. |
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To adjust the mitre box, slacken off the finger nuts at either end of the mitre box by turning anticlockwise. Slide the walls of the mitre box either further apart to widen the base or towards each other to narrow the base. Tighten the finger nuts by turning them clockwise to secure the walls into position. | |||
Coving mitre box (non-adjustable) |
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There are plastic mitre boxes designed purely for cutting 100mm (4″) and 127mm (5″) coving.
The coving mitre box has a curved base to support the coving to prevent it from flexing and ensures a more accurate and neat 45 degree or 90 degree cut. |
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Skirting board mitre box |
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This mitre box consists of a base board and a top board which can be clamped down to hold a length of skirting board. | |||
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The skirting board mitre box is specifically designed to accommodate a set size of skirting board. There are two sizes available: a 150mm (6″) and a 230mm (9″) version. They are not suitable for cutting mitres on other types of workpiece.
For skirting larger than 230mm (9″) or smaller than 150mm (6″) a different type of mitre box will be required such as a multipurpose mitre box. |
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The skirting board is placed between the base board and top board and clamped down using the thumb screws.
There are two Tufnol (a hard wearing smooth type of plastic) strips along the base and top board edges set at 45 degrees. These strips are to help guide the saw ensuring a precise 45 degree cut. |
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To keep the mitre box stable and secure during use, there is a toe (where one end of both the top and bottom board extends beyond the rest of the mitre box) at each end. This enables the toe to be clamped in a vice, keeping the mitre box secure during use. | |||
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With the toe clamped into a vice for stability and the mitre standing upright, a cut at 45 degrees can be made, cutting down following the Tufnol surfaces. | |||
Multi-purpose mitre box |
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A multi-purpose mitre box is typically made from lightweight, high impact ABS plastic which is hard-wearing and suitable for use in all conditions.
Multipurpose mitre boxes can be used on a range of workpieces, including skirting boards, dado rails, coving and general carpentry work where a precise and accurate mitre joint is required. Most multi-purpose mitre boxes come with two workpiece clamping posts and guide slots that allow for 22.5 degree, 45 degree and 90 degree cutting angles. |
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There are normally pre-drilled holes in the base of the mitre box to enable you to secure the tool to a workbench.
Multi-purpose mitre boxes are ideal for cutting a range of workpieces such as skirting boards, coving, dado rails, plastic piping and many more. |
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Adjustable coving mitre box |
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The adjustable coving mitre box has been designed purely for cutting coving and is therefore not as suitable for other applications as a multi-purpose mitre box.
There are metal base stops fitted into the base of the mitre box that can be adjusted so that the box can accommodate a variety of sizes of coving. Coving comes in a range of sizes (both depth and height) and an adjustable coving mitre box is suitable for all coving up to 280mm (11″) across the ceiling and 223mm (8.75″) down the wall. |
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Tiler’s mitre box |
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A tiler’s mitre box is typically made from zinc coated steel and is specially designed with a shoulder that runs along the length of one of the internal walls on the mitre box. This shoulder helps provide a firm base for metal or plastic trims used to create a neat and aesthetically pleasing edge to tiles.
The tile trim is placed up against the shoulder to help support the delicate tile trim, enabling a more accurate and precise cut without damaging the trim. |
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The zinc coating prevents the steel from rusting and makes for a very hard wearing mitre box, which is essential when using a saw designed for cutting metal like a junior hacksaw. | |||
Magic mitre box |
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The magic mitre box is used for cutting mitres in architraves, skirting and dado rails to the exact angle of the corner of a wall. A template is used to transfer internal or external angles to a sliding jig. Connecting the template to the mitre sets the angle in equal proportions either side of the saw.
The magic mitre box has a cutting range of 1 to 210 degrees, a maximum cutting width of 92mm (3 5/8″) and a cutting height of 100mm (4″). See |
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