When you anticipate doing any amount of mitring—that is,
sawing at an angle—a mitre box would be a big timesaver. Guides on the mitre
box can be conformed so that a backsaw will cut at whatever angle from 45 to 90
degrees to any desired depth. Care must be taken that the stock doesn't shift
while cutting, and that the saw doesn't either touch the front or pull out of
the rear guide. Matching pieces can be easily cut just by adjusting the length
rod. Frames from 4 to 12 sides can be cut by relating to the proper angle,
often pointed on the mitre box itself. In sawing, always begin on the outside
of a mark. A crosscut saw has a kerf of about 1/16 inch, and a rough edge would
require some added smoothing.
by TipWriter