dF

dnoyeB

29/03/2006 2:22 PM

Miter joint frame clamp needed

This time around I plan to create miter joints on the corners of my
stereo cabinet frame. I will also be creating a frame for a projector
screen and I plan to miter that as well. Not sure why since you cant
see it, but I got this miter saw so I'll get my wife to bring me a glass
of water while the wood is on the saw illustrating how valuable it is ;)

anyway, I am wondering about the clamps. With box frame corners I just
clamp horizontally. If I try that with mitered corners the top will
squeeze out. I suppose if I had big enough clamps I could but 1 each
way, but I imagine that trickery would be too much for me before the
glue hardener... What type of *new tool* to I need to support glueing /
clamping these corners up? (admitedly if I can do it without a new tool
that will work too)

__
Thanks again!



"Then said I, Wisdom [is] better than strength: nevertheless the poor
man's wisdom [is] despised, and his words are not heard." Ecclesiastes 9:16


This topic has 17 replies

LB

Larry Blanchard

in reply to dnoyeB on 29/03/2006 2:22 PM

29/03/2006 4:03 PM

dnoyeB wrote:

>> Have you got a band clamp?  (and this one time, at band camp...)
>>
>
> No, will that be sufficient to ensure quality joint strength?

I've used rubber bands on small boxes. Don't know if you could easily
find ones large enough for your project. And the miters do need to fit
well, but that's true of any clamping method.

--
It's turtles, all the way down

LB

Larry Blanchard

in reply to dnoyeB on 29/03/2006 2:22 PM

29/03/2006 4:04 PM

David wrote:

>>
> shooting boards are made, not purchased.
>
> I use the LV band clamp with 90 degree corners to assure good joint
> clamping.  If your miter saw is set accurately, you will be good to
> go.
>
And there's always the old trick of sawing down through the joint to
make it fit :-).

--
It's turtles, all the way down

Jn

JES

in reply to dnoyeB on 29/03/2006 2:22 PM

31/03/2006 2:12 PM

dnoyeB wrote:
> This time around I plan to create miter joints on the corners of my
> stereo cabinet frame. I will also be creating a frame for a projector
> screen and I plan to miter that as well. Not sure why since you cant
> see it, but I got this miter saw so I'll get my wife to bring me a glass
> of water while the wood is on the saw illustrating how valuable it is ;)
>
> anyway, I am wondering about the clamps. With box frame corners I just
> clamp horizontally. If I try that with mitered corners the top will
> squeeze out. I suppose if I had big enough clamps I could but 1 each
> way, but I imagine that trickery would be too much for me before the
> glue hardener... What type of *new tool* to I need to support glueing /
> clamping these corners up? (admitedly if I can do it without a new tool
> that will work too)
>

Spring clamps:
<URL:http://www.coastaltool.com/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/clamps_vises/maestro/m1201_clamp-all.htm?L+coastest+vczq1810ff663466+1143831518>

Another option:
<URL:http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=10401&cookietest=1>


JES

FB

Frank Boettcher

in reply to dnoyeB on 29/03/2006 2:22 PM

30/03/2006 3:38 PM

On Wed, 29 Mar 2006 14:22:45 -0500, dnoyeB <[email protected]>
wrote:

>This time around I plan to create miter joints on the corners of my
>stereo cabinet frame. I will also be creating a frame for a projector
>screen and I plan to miter that as well. Not sure why since you cant
>see it, but I got this miter saw so I'll get my wife to bring me a glass
>of water while the wood is on the saw illustrating how valuable it is ;)
>
>anyway, I am wondering about the clamps. With box frame corners I just
>clamp horizontally. If I try that with mitered corners the top will
>squeeze out. I suppose if I had big enough clamps I could but 1 each
>way, but I imagine that trickery would be too much for me before the
>glue hardener... What type of *new tool* to I need to support glueing /
>clamping these corners up? (admitedly if I can do it without a new tool
>that will work too)
>
>__
>Thanks again!
>
>
>
>"Then said I, Wisdom [is] better than strength: nevertheless the poor
>man's wisdom [is] despised, and his words are not heard." Ecclesiastes 9:16


I've used several types of corner clamps but my favorite frame clamp
is the type that uses 1/4" all thread with slip nuts and corner
brackets. Size is only limited by how long a piece of all thread you
can get.

Frank

cb

charlie b

in reply to dnoyeB on 29/03/2006 2:22 PM

30/03/2006 9:21 AM

GET THEE A MITER SAW FENCE AND SOME STOPS

Work off the INSIDE dimensions for framing.

Cut the initial stock long

Miter one corner of each pair

From the "short side" of the first miter cut
measure and mark the INSIDE of the second
miter cut, preferably with a marking knife,
on the face you'll make the second cut on.
That'll be the "underside" relative to the
side facing up for the initial miter cut.

With the saw still at the first cut angle, flip
the part end for end, with your scribed line
towards you so you can align the part such
that a "keeper side of the cut" tooth's "keeper
side of the cut" is on your line.

Set a stop to the other end of the "keeper"
part.

Make the second cut on the first of the pair
for frame parts one.

Place the second part of pair one to the stop,
cut the first miter, flip the part end for end,
registering the first mitered corner end
against the stop and make the seccond miter
cut. NOTE: the stop must be square to the
fence and the sharp outer corner of the
first mitered cut has to be against the stop
NOT BEHIND IT - EVEN JUST A LITTLE BIT.

Repeat the process for the second pair of
frame parts.

NOTE: If the cabinet edges aren't square
things get a LOT trickier

Picture framers have a slick tool that uses
a "guillotine" (sp?) knife to fine tune the
miterer corners (see "Lion Trimmer" or
"Potlach") by slicing off see through shavings.
Hard to justify that tool purchase unless you
plan on doing a LOT of mitered frames.

charlie b

DD

David

in reply to dnoyeB on 29/03/2006 2:22 PM

29/03/2006 3:10 PM

dnoyeB wrote:

> David wrote:
>
>> dnoyeB wrote:
>>
>>> David wrote:
>>>
>>>> dnoyeB wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> This time around I plan to create miter joints on the corners of my
>>>>> stereo cabinet frame. I will also be creating a frame for a
>>>>> projector screen and I plan to miter that as well. Not sure why
>>>>> since you cant see it, but I got this miter saw so I'll get my wife
>>>>> to bring me a glass of water while the wood is on the saw
>>>>> illustrating how valuable it is ;)
>>>>>
>>>>> anyway, I am wondering about the clamps. With box frame corners I
>>>>> just clamp horizontally. If I try that with mitered corners the
>>>>> top will squeeze out. I suppose if I had big enough clamps I could
>>>>> but 1 each way, but I imagine that trickery would be too much for
>>>>> me before the glue hardener... What type of *new tool* to I need
>>>>> to support glueing / clamping these corners up? (admitedly if I can
>>>>> do it without a new tool that will work too)
>>>>>
>>>>> __
>>>>> Thanks again!
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> "Then said I, Wisdom [is] better than strength: nevertheless the
>>>>> poor man's wisdom [is] despised, and his words are not heard."
>>>>> Ecclesiastes 9:16
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Have you got a band clamp? (and this one time, at band camp...)
>>>>
>>>> dave
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> No, will that be sufficient to ensure quality joint strength?
>>>
>> Absolutely, with one proviso--the miters need to be accurate (but that
>> would hold true if you use ANY clamping method). do a test fit with
>> the clamp and see if you see any gaps. Use a shooting board to
>> correct them if necessary.
>>
>> Dave
>
>
> OK. But I don't have a shooting board and I don't see any for sale. I
> have an old rusty hand plane but I suppose I need to get the blade
> sharpened somehow or just buy a new plane. Can I use my Dewalt miter
> and hope for the best? The frame is not going to be on display. Maybe
> if I cut some practice cuts to find that perfect 45 setting I can leave
> the saw in place and just flip the wood for opposite side cuts?
>
>
>
shooting boards are made, not purchased.

I use the LV band clamp with 90 degree corners to assure good joint
clamping. If your miter saw is set accurately, you will be good to go.

dave

dF

dnoyeB

in reply to dnoyeB on 29/03/2006 2:22 PM

29/03/2006 3:11 PM

David wrote:
> dnoyeB wrote:
>
>> This time around I plan to create miter joints on the corners of my
>> stereo cabinet frame. I will also be creating a frame for a projector
>> screen and I plan to miter that as well. Not sure why since you cant
>> see it, but I got this miter saw so I'll get my wife to bring me a
>> glass of water while the wood is on the saw illustrating how valuable
>> it is ;)
>>
>> anyway, I am wondering about the clamps. With box frame corners I
>> just clamp horizontally. If I try that with mitered corners the top
>> will squeeze out. I suppose if I had big enough clamps I could but 1
>> each way, but I imagine that trickery would be too much for me before
>> the glue hardener... What type of *new tool* to I need to support
>> glueing / clamping these corners up? (admitedly if I can do it without
>> a new tool that will work too)
>>
>> __
>> Thanks again!
>>
>>
>>
>> "Then said I, Wisdom [is] better than strength: nevertheless the poor
>> man's wisdom [is] despised, and his words are not heard." Ecclesiastes
>> 9:16
>
>
>
> Have you got a band clamp? (and this one time, at band camp...)
>
> dave

No, will that be sufficient to ensure quality joint strength?

--
Thank you,



"Then said I, Wisdom [is] better than strength: nevertheless the poor
man's wisdom [is] despised, and his words are not heard." Ecclesiastes 9:16

dF

dnoyeB

in reply to dnoyeB on 29/03/2006 2:22 PM

30/03/2006 9:58 AM

dnoyeB wrote:
> This time around I plan to create miter joints on the corners of my
> stereo cabinet frame. I will also be creating a frame for a projector
> screen and I plan to miter that as well. Not sure why since you cant
> see it, but I got this miter saw so I'll get my wife to bring me a glass
> of water while the wood is on the saw illustrating how valuable it is ;)
>
> anyway, I am wondering about the clamps. With box frame corners I just
> clamp horizontally. If I try that with mitered corners the top will
> squeeze out. I suppose if I had big enough clamps I could but 1 each
> way, but I imagine that trickery would be too much for me before the
> glue hardener... What type of *new tool* to I need to support glueing /
> clamping these corners up? (admitedly if I can do it without a new tool
> that will work too)
>
> __
> Thanks again!
>
>
>
> "Then said I, Wisdom [is] better than strength: nevertheless the poor
> man's wisdom [is] despised, and his words are not heard." Ecclesiastes 9:16


Looks like my best bet is to use a web clamp which I can get from lowes.
Only problem is the frame is about 80"x45" which is about 22'
circumference but the web clamp is only 15'. I wonder if I can find
some extra webbing at lowes. If I cant Ill use John B's technique.
Whats difference between a band clamp and a web clamp?

Second issue will be how to keep such a jumbo frame flat while I clamp
it. I don't even have a workbench yet. I suppose I could clamp it in
the driveway but im not excited about that technique. My wifes black
wooden table has become the defacto bench in the basement. She's slowly
starting to notice this, hehe. But this frame is bigger than this table.

maybe one of those old sheets of drywall in the garage 1 step away from
the trash will work out?

--
Thank you,



"Then said I, Wisdom [is] better than strength: nevertheless the poor
man's wisdom [is] despised, and his words are not heard." Ecclesiastes 9:16

TW

"Tim W"

in reply to dnoyeB on 29/03/2006 2:22 PM

29/03/2006 10:26 PM


"dnoyeB" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> This time around I plan to create miter joints on the corners of my
> stereo cabinet frame. I will also be creating a frame for a projector
> screen and I plan to miter that as well. ...
... What type of *new tool* to I need to support glueing /
> clamping these corners up? (admitedly if I can do it without a new tool
> that will work too)

It is a difficult one.
The very best way I know to clamp mitred frames:

Glue, screw or nail little 45 degree blocks on the outside of the frame near
the joints so that you can put a g-cramp directly across the joint and press
it properly together.

Does that make sense? If not I will draw it and post it for you on the
pictures group.

Tim W

Ll

Leuf

in reply to dnoyeB on 29/03/2006 2:22 PM

29/03/2006 11:53 PM

On Wed, 29 Mar 2006 14:22:45 -0500, dnoyeB <[email protected]>
wrote:

>This time around I plan to create miter joints on the corners of my
>stereo cabinet frame. I will also be creating a frame for a projector
>screen and I plan to miter that as well. Not sure why since you cant
>see it, but I got this miter saw so I'll get my wife to bring me a glass
>of water while the wood is on the saw illustrating how valuable it is ;)

If you are gluing the mitered frame to your cabinet frame you don't
need to worry about the miters. Just clamp the pieces to the cabinet.
Once the first one is down you can snug the next up against it.


-Leuf

TW

"Tim W"

in reply to dnoyeB on 29/03/2006 2:22 PM

29/03/2006 10:51 PM


"Tim W" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> The very best way I know to clamp mitred frames:
>
> Glue, screw or nail little 45 degree blocks on the outside of the frame
near
> the joints so that you can put a g-cramp directly across the joint and
press
> it properly together.
>
> Does that make sense? If not I will draw it and post it for you on the
> pictures group.
>
Actually I drew it anyway and posted it for you .
alt.binaries.pictures.woodworking
Subject - The surest way to cramp a mitred frame

Tim W

dF

dnoyeB

in reply to dnoyeB on 29/03/2006 2:22 PM

29/03/2006 4:48 PM

David wrote:
> dnoyeB wrote:
>
>> David wrote:
>>
>>> dnoyeB wrote:
>>>
>>>> This time around I plan to create miter joints on the corners of my
>>>> stereo cabinet frame. I will also be creating a frame for a
>>>> projector screen and I plan to miter that as well. Not sure why
>>>> since you cant see it, but I got this miter saw so I'll get my wife
>>>> to bring me a glass of water while the wood is on the saw
>>>> illustrating how valuable it is ;)
>>>>
>>>> anyway, I am wondering about the clamps. With box frame corners I
>>>> just clamp horizontally. If I try that with mitered corners the top
>>>> will squeeze out. I suppose if I had big enough clamps I could but
>>>> 1 each way, but I imagine that trickery would be too much for me
>>>> before the glue hardener... What type of *new tool* to I need to
>>>> support glueing / clamping these corners up? (admitedly if I can do
>>>> it without a new tool that will work too)
>>>>
>>>> __
>>>> Thanks again!
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> "Then said I, Wisdom [is] better than strength: nevertheless the
>>>> poor man's wisdom [is] despised, and his words are not heard."
>>>> Ecclesiastes 9:16
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Have you got a band clamp? (and this one time, at band camp...)
>>>
>>> dave
>>
>>
>>
>> No, will that be sufficient to ensure quality joint strength?
>>
> Absolutely, with one proviso--the miters need to be accurate (but that
> would hold true if you use ANY clamping method). do a test fit with the
> clamp and see if you see any gaps. Use a shooting board to correct them
> if necessary.
>
> Dave

OK. But I don't have a shooting board and I don't see any for sale. I
have an old rusty hand plane but I suppose I need to get the blade
sharpened somehow or just buy a new plane. Can I use my Dewalt miter
and hope for the best? The frame is not going to be on display. Maybe
if I cut some practice cuts to find that perfect 45 setting I can leave
the saw in place and just flip the wood for opposite side cuts?



--
Thank you,



"Then said I, Wisdom [is] better than strength: nevertheless the poor
man's wisdom [is] despised, and his words are not heard." Ecclesiastes 9:16

DD

David

in reply to dnoyeB on 29/03/2006 2:22 PM

29/03/2006 11:41 AM

dnoyeB wrote:

> This time around I plan to create miter joints on the corners of my
> stereo cabinet frame. I will also be creating a frame for a projector
> screen and I plan to miter that as well. Not sure why since you cant
> see it, but I got this miter saw so I'll get my wife to bring me a glass
> of water while the wood is on the saw illustrating how valuable it is ;)
>
> anyway, I am wondering about the clamps. With box frame corners I just
> clamp horizontally. If I try that with mitered corners the top will
> squeeze out. I suppose if I had big enough clamps I could but 1 each
> way, but I imagine that trickery would be too much for me before the
> glue hardener... What type of *new tool* to I need to support glueing /
> clamping these corners up? (admitedly if I can do it without a new tool
> that will work too)
>
> __
> Thanks again!
>
>
>
> "Then said I, Wisdom [is] better than strength: nevertheless the poor
> man's wisdom [is] despised, and his words are not heard." Ecclesiastes 9:16


Have you got a band clamp? (and this one time, at band camp...)

dave

SP

"Steve Peterson"

in reply to dnoyeB on 29/03/2006 2:22 PM

30/03/2006 6:35 PM

Those mitered corners are not going to be very strong. If you can,
reinforce them with bisquits or dowels. Or use screws and plugs.

You can make your own corner braces; cut out 1 corner of a tubafour. Use
waxed paper to prevent glue from sticking to them. Use lots of clamps.
Practice the assembly before you apply glue. Good luck.

Steve

dF

dnoyeB

in reply to dnoyeB on 29/03/2006 2:22 PM

30/03/2006 8:39 AM

John B wrote:
> dnoyeB wrote:
>
>> This time around I plan to create miter joints on the corners of my
>> stereo cabinet frame. I will also be creating a frame for a projector
>> screen and I plan to miter that as well. Not sure why since you cant
>> see it, but I got this miter saw so I'll get my wife to bring me a
>> glass of water while the wood is on the saw illustrating how valuable
>> it is ;)
>>
>> anyway, I am wondering about the clamps. With box frame corners I
>> just clamp horizontally. If I try that with mitered corners the top
>> will squeeze out. I suppose if I had big enough clamps I could but 1
>> each way, but I imagine that trickery would be too much for me before
>> the glue hardener... What type of *new tool* to I need to support
>> glueing / clamping these corners up? (admitedly if I can do it without
>> a new tool that will work too)
>>
>> __
>> Thanks again!
>>
>>
>>
>> "Then said I, Wisdom [is] better than strength: nevertheless the poor
>> man's wisdom [is] despised, and his words are not heard." Ecclesiastes
>> 9:16
>
> G'day,
> I band clamp is the way to go, but you do not have to buy one. You can
> make a simple, but very efficient one with a rope.
>
> Tie a rope tightly around your frame.
> Cut 8 pieces of timber
> Place 2 in the centre of each side of the frame between it and the rope.
> Now by sliding the pieces of timber towards the corners of the frame you
> will apply tension.
> Measure for square cnr to cnr on the frame and adjust the blocks
> individualy to make you frame square.
> This method was the only one available when I started cabinet making and
> it works well. Although I have a band clamp I still revert to the rope
> trick quite often
> Hope this helps
> regards
> John

wow, thats ingenious. I could pull that off. I may have a hard time
finding the rope. If the band clamp is not that cheap for the size box
im making (92" diagonal) then Ill use this technique. Thanks.

--
Thank you,



"Then said I, Wisdom [is] better than strength: nevertheless the poor
man's wisdom [is] despised, and his words are not heard." Ecclesiastes 9:16

DD

David

in reply to dnoyeB on 29/03/2006 2:22 PM

29/03/2006 1:08 PM

dnoyeB wrote:

> David wrote:
>
>> dnoyeB wrote:
>>
>>> This time around I plan to create miter joints on the corners of my
>>> stereo cabinet frame. I will also be creating a frame for a
>>> projector screen and I plan to miter that as well. Not sure why
>>> since you cant see it, but I got this miter saw so I'll get my wife
>>> to bring me a glass of water while the wood is on the saw
>>> illustrating how valuable it is ;)
>>>
>>> anyway, I am wondering about the clamps. With box frame corners I
>>> just clamp horizontally. If I try that with mitered corners the top
>>> will squeeze out. I suppose if I had big enough clamps I could but 1
>>> each way, but I imagine that trickery would be too much for me before
>>> the glue hardener... What type of *new tool* to I need to support
>>> glueing / clamping these corners up? (admitedly if I can do it
>>> without a new tool that will work too)
>>>
>>> __
>>> Thanks again!
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> "Then said I, Wisdom [is] better than strength: nevertheless the poor
>>> man's wisdom [is] despised, and his words are not heard."
>>> Ecclesiastes 9:16
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Have you got a band clamp? (and this one time, at band camp...)
>>
>> dave
>
>
> No, will that be sufficient to ensure quality joint strength?
>
Absolutely, with one proviso--the miters need to be accurate (but that
would hold true if you use ANY clamping method). do a test fit with the
clamp and see if you see any gaps. Use a shooting board to correct them
if necessary.

Dave

JB

John B

in reply to dnoyeB on 29/03/2006 2:22 PM

30/03/2006 12:59 AM

dnoyeB wrote:
> This time around I plan to create miter joints on the corners of my
> stereo cabinet frame. I will also be creating a frame for a projector
> screen and I plan to miter that as well. Not sure why since you cant
> see it, but I got this miter saw so I'll get my wife to bring me a glass
> of water while the wood is on the saw illustrating how valuable it is ;)
>
> anyway, I am wondering about the clamps. With box frame corners I just
> clamp horizontally. If I try that with mitered corners the top will
> squeeze out. I suppose if I had big enough clamps I could but 1 each
> way, but I imagine that trickery would be too much for me before the
> glue hardener... What type of *new tool* to I need to support glueing /
> clamping these corners up? (admitedly if I can do it without a new tool
> that will work too)
>
> __
> Thanks again!
>
>
>
> "Then said I, Wisdom [is] better than strength: nevertheless the poor
> man's wisdom [is] despised, and his words are not heard." Ecclesiastes 9:16
G'day,
I band clamp is the way to go, but you do not have to buy one. You can
make a simple, but very efficient one with a rope.

Tie a rope tightly around your frame.
Cut 8 pieces of timber
Place 2 in the centre of each side of the frame between it and the rope.
Now by sliding the pieces of timber towards the corners of the frame you
will apply tension.
Measure for square cnr to cnr on the frame and adjust the blocks
individualy to make you frame square.
This method was the only one available when I started cabinet making and
it works well. Although I have a band clamp I still revert to the rope
trick quite often
Hope this helps
regards
John


You’ve reached the end of replies