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How-To

A Better Joint for Beaded Casings

Jack miters are part butt joint and part miter, and they can be cut by hand or production-style with a router and shop-made jig.

By Gary M. Katz Issue 277 - Aug/Sept 2018
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      The first time I saw a jack miter was in Roe Osborne’s bathroom. Roe was my editor at the time and I was on my first trip east to visit the crew at Fine Homebuilding. What I noticed was that the corners of the beaded casing on the doors and windows weren’t mitered. At least they weren’t mitered in any fashion I’d ever seen. I soon learned that the joint was a jack miter: The quirk-and-bead profile is cut at 45˚ to create a miter with the mating piece, but the flat of the casing is cut square, to make a butt joint. This way of joining casing is definitely more involved, but it’s also more likely not to open up as the wood moves. And though you can cut them by hand, you can also use a router and jig to speed things up.

      Check out this video and my article, “Two Ways to Cut Jack Miters,” in FHB #277 to learn how to do it both ways.

      Previous: Two Ways to Cut Jack Miters Next: Tame Tricky Transitions

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      View Comments

      1. dynamwebz | Jul 11, 2018 08:26am | #1

        Ok, I like the videos, but, I don't really appreciate the fact the video starts without me clicking start. Tends to draw attention when I'm in the office and looking at this site.

      2. Gary_Katz | Jul 11, 2018 11:15am | #2

        I think there might be something wrong with the video or the edit or the upload? It ends at 8:07 but I'm pretty sure there's a LOT more. :) garykatz1

      3. milwaukee | Jul 12, 2018 03:16pm | #3

        why is gary commenting on his own video when he direct access to the webmaster of fine homebuilding? thats weird. lates

      4. lilarry | Aug 06, 2018 01:31pm | #4

        this may be among the best videos ever posted. I like the host, I like the subject (I am actually making a book case with the exact bead he is explaining) and I like the process he goes through...very, very helpful.....Katz is a good teacher.....

      5. jabramsdesigns | Oct 19, 2018 02:53pm | #5

        Awesome video and great teaching!

      Log in or create an account to post a comment.

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