I am completing the trim work around 5 bedroom doors (trim on both sides) and 7 windows (trim on inside only). I do not have a power mitre box nor a manual box. I do not do lots of projects that would require a power box and so am looking for a high quality manual (if that is how you say it) box. What is a good brand name and where would I find such an animal? I looked at both Loews and HD and they do not carry anything but the wood box with pre-cut angles. I need better than that but not a 10″ compund power box either.
Thanks, Mike C.
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Maybe you can rent a power saw might be worth looking into.
I know Stanley makes/made one (because I have one) and Garret Wade sells one. Cast metal frame with guides, pivoting base, etc. Don't remember the price. For the money, a less expensive compound miter saw might make more sense. Just don't skimp so much on price that you sacrifice a lot of accuracy. Or find a friend who's not using his and will let you borrow it.
Some towns have tool libraries you can actually "rent" from at a very low cost...
I think that for what you'd pay for a good miter box and handsaw, you could have a decent 10" single bevel power mitersaw for not too much more.
This looks like a decent one here:
http://www.garrettwade.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=106597&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=12395&iSubCat=12394&iProductID=106597
Or this one from Amazon. I have a similar one I bought at Lowes, and it works well for shoe moulkd and quarter round. I'm not sure I would use it for fancy trim.
Jorgensen 64016 Precision Miter SawOther products by Jorgensen
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"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
The four or five customer reviews at Amazon on that one scared the dickens out of me. You say you've had good luck with it though, huh?View Image
Good results withinimits. It works great for just a few cuts of shoe mould after tiling a bathroom, when it's not practical to set up a power saw for 6-8 cuts of very small trim. But I would not use it to trim windows and doors like the OP proposes.
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
I use that exact one quite a bit. Doesn't blow saw dust all over finished rooms..its way light and it actually makes cleaner cuts than a chopper. Its a bit ackward cause like Jeff says its really light. Like I said...I really use it quite a bit for shoe and up to colonial type door/window trim as long as its just a few windows and nothing fancy. Sure beats luggin my chopper up stairs for just a dozen or so cuts!If Blodgett says, Tipi tipi tipi it must be so!
TipiFest 06~~> Send me your email addy for a Paypal invoice to the greatest show on earth~~>[email protected]
That looks to be the same one I have.
Great results with it here too ...
only problem ... base is too light.
gotta be screwed or clamped down to keep it from jumping around.
that's only a problem if U use it "portable" ... tried a coupla times for trimming out attics up 4 million sets of steps ... by the time I figure out a way to have something to clamp it to ... I decided to go out and buy a cheapie little Delta chop saw.
That said ... I still like the manual model.
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
For sure you can pick one up at Woodcraft ( they're online) but I wouldn't discount the little box. A nice sharp backsaw and that actually does quite a decent job. Remember that's how it was done once.
You can pick up a functional power miter for about $100.00. It may not be the best tool around, but it will far surpass whatever you can do with a $20.00 miter box. Of course
In fact, there's a Delta 10" compound miter saw on Ebay right now for $70.00.
When you're done with it, re-sell it. But I bet you won't. I bet you'll start looking around for other uses for the thing.
I still have a miter box stuffed away in my workshop somewhere and I don't know why. The next time I stumble over it, I'm throwing it out.
-Don
http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=70372.1
how much is your time worth?
Seeking perfection in an imperfect world is a fool's errand. Making something look perfect is a whole 'nother story . . . .
Another vote for the Delta 10" Compound Mitre saw. You can pick one up for under 100 bucks. This is a great tool well worth the money.
--Andy
This is from a European (German) site, but I guess it can be baught in the states
http://www.dick.biz/cgi-bin/dick.storefront/440d2fa1003e1c12274050f3360905b9/Catalog/1027
I use the Stanley saw at least once a week, it's great for quick cuts and the depth gauge can be very handy sometimes for notching thresholds and the like with repeated precision you won't get on cheaper power miter boxes. It definitely requires some time to setup and make sure everything is tight though. If your cutting anything less than 3/4" it flies...3/4" oak can get tedious with it sometimes.
I'm going to have to measure the blade and see if it's the same length as the Garrett Wade blades for sale..if so it'd be awfully convenient doubling as a metal cutting box as well.
http://stanleytools.com/default.asp?CATEGORY=MITRE+BOX&TYPE=PRODUCT&PARTNUMBER=20-800&SDesc=Clamping+Mitre+Box
Mike....if you really don't foresee having future needs, then just rent a power miter saw. The money you'll spend on a good backsaw and box will surpass even a decent chopsaw.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
No idea where you are, but if you're anywhere in the Southern Cal area look here-->
http://www.recycler.com/asp/Class.asp?iC=190
Or the local equivilant Nifty Nickle or whatever.
Joe H