Thread: How do you strengthen your mitres ?

How do I strengthen mitres? Glue and Pray!

Am still trying to figure out how to cut a spline slot (neatly) without a table saw so am really interested in this ensuring discussion.

Thanks Apricot!!

cheers
Wendy

[quote=apricotripper;420431]What do you thinks good enough for solid timber mitres ? ....strength wise.

quote]

I use splines, but I use a TS to cut the slot.

Originally Posted by rufflyrustic

How do I strengthen mitres? Glue and Pray!

Am still trying to figure out how to cut a spline slot (neatly) without a table saw so am really interested in this ensuring discussion.

I don't know for certain how I would do it by hand, but I would start experimenting by using an Anglemag (having conviinced the FIL to let me borrow it) with a Japanese saw to make the outside cuts and then use a 3mm (or 1/8th) chisel to remove the waste. No guarantees, but that's what I would do to start off.

Hi Jake,

Would depend on the size of the joint. If it was large enough, I would probably use a biscuit jointer and biscuits - very fast, very strong and more accurate than dowels. If it was a small joint, like a picture frame for example, I would probably glue it and when dry make a saw cut and glue in veneers across the joint.

Cheers

Paul

Slipfeathers made from veneer in handsaw cuts. Cut the slots after its all glued up and dry. Any stress is along the grain of the veneer, so it doesn't need to be very thick.

Gidday Jake

I'm a real fan of using splines as per taige frids (Famous yank woodworker) technique. He reckons his technique is stronger than using dovetails (I'm yet to be convinced BUT is certainly a solid joint)

If your interested I'll do a sketchup drawing of how he goes about it.

David MArks from Woodworks often uses biscuits in his mitre joinery. As always lots of options once you start getting creative.

I'd guess that biscuits or dominos would be the quickest and most efficient methods offering more than adequate strength particularly in production run type situations.

For high end showcase type joinery I would use a combination of methods both for strength and asthetics eg: A combination of splines and mitre keys.

Regards Lou

I've used biscuits on mitres and find the very strong.

Hi, Never used a biscuit jointer before....deary me.

Alex..... How do you clamp up ? ..... I've read of a few ways....I quite like just using tape.

Originally Posted by apricotripper

Alex..... How do you clamp up ? ..... I've read of a few ways....I quite like just using tape.

Mitre clamp or a jury rig using clamps at 90 degrees holding pieces of timber to the workpiece then then clamping them together with a third clamp.
(need a piccy really but can't find one)

What about a mitred halflap joint... or a mitred bridle joint.
IMHO Both be stronger than biscuits and dowels.

Originally Posted by Harry72

What about a mitred halflap joint.

The half lap mitre gives plenty of surface for gluing and can be additionally strengthened with contrasting dowels for effect.

A housed rabbet mitre can also use dowels to strengthen and effect but has limited gluing surface.

Locked mitre will add strength but has little gluing surface.

Cheers

I have tried both splines & biscuits, prefer the biscuits, much less fuss and plenty strong so far. As for clamping, those heavy duty steel strap clamps with approx 4 metres of strap which usually suffices for most of my projects.

The mitres on the picture below are reinforced inside with biscuits, and outside with dovetail keys. A pretty simple jig for a router will make these fairly easily.

Corbs

Originally Posted by apricotripper

Alex..... How do you clamp up ? ..... I've read of a few ways....I quite like just using tape.

Yep, just use masking tape.

Get the good quality stuff that will stretch. Lay the job out on the bench & stretch several pieces across three of the corners (if your box is rectangular) then put glue on all mitres. Because it's basically end grain, I put a 50/50 glue/water size on before the main glue application. Then, fold it together (don't forget to put the base and top in ) and put tape across the last corner. If you like you can stretch a rubber band cut from an old inner tube around to add a bit more pressure, but you really don't need to. Check for square by measuring the diagonals, and also check that it's sitting flat on the deck.

Looks good Corbs...

I do pretty much the same as you Alex....except I usually buy the cheap tape and double it up.