Compound mitre angles

[Froggy]

Hi Everyone,

My French neighbour has asked me to make a copy of this tray

Confidently I said 'yes no problem'! Then afterwards I started to think about the angles of the compound mitre where the sides meet. The sides are not at 90 degrees to the base therefore it's not a straight forward 45 degree mitre cut. Can anyone tell me how I work out the angles please?

T.I.A. Froggy

 

[marcros]

find something online...

http://jansson.us/jcompound.html

then just follow it, before it blows your mind with complexity. A igital angle gauge is useful, possibly essential.

I assume that you have a compond mitre saw- there are other ways but I wouldnt necessarily recommend them.

 

[Froggy]

Thanks Macros, that's brilliant - exactly what I was looking for. And yes I have both a compound mitre saw and a digital angle finder.

Cheers Froggy.

 

[carlb40]

Also you can also watch Norm when he made one of these.

 

[Racers]

I made some small trays like that using a mitre saw and a 45 deg wedge behind the work piece, all you need to do is set the mitre saw to 45 deg and cut.

Pete

 

[marcros]

i actually ended up doing mine on my morse, but with a wedge, the same as pete. but given the coice i think that i would have used a compound saw- it was difficult to ensure that they didnt move.

 

[srp]

Assuming the sides are at 45°, use a compound mitre saw. Lay the pieces flat and face down, with the machine set at 33.9° (Blade angle) and 31.6°(fence angle). In other words just like you would for coving.

 

[Steve Maskery]

Many SCMSs have preset indents for precisely this job.
S

 

[Froggy]

Hi SRP the angle wasn't 45 degrees. I forget now what they were, but I used the calculator that Marcros sent me and have successfully completed a trial run with MDF. Thank you all for your help. The trick is gluing the sides!!

 

[Steve Maskery]

Try parcel tape.
S

 

[marcros]

i would also recommend reinforcing the joint with a spline/key. It is not a feature that I particularly like (although vcan look nice), but a mitred joint on a box, or tray is not that strong and is end grain to end grain, which is never ideal. You may get awat with a domino or biscuit depending on side thickness, or a ply piece. The latter help with locating the pieces on the glueup too.

Tape is a good idea- i would have failed if i had just used the clamps that I have!

 

[Froggy]

I used tape on the trial run and I had already considered a spline to strengthen the joint. I think I shall have to do that for peace of mind.

Thanks again guys.

 

[marcros]

we just need some pictures of it now then!!

 

[Froggy]

It's the least I can do. When it's finished I'll post some pics.

 

[rspsteve]

Or you could buy one...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Small-Wooden- ... 3cdb828604

:mrgreen:

 

[Froggy]

Hi everyone,

As promised pics of the finished tray with the worst and best joint shown. It wasn't easy and I wasn't happy with the outcome, but my neighbour seemed happy and it was a freeby. I will revisit it and try to master the job but not for a while!!





Cheers Froggy

 

[brianhabby]

Well done froggy, your tray looks good.

Or you could buy one...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Small-Wooden- ... 3cdb828604

:mrgreen:

Naaa that takes all the fun out of it.

Seriously though about the eBay listing, given that we all know how difficult these joints can be why would anyone want to sell them for just £5.99 - beats me.

Regards

Brian

 

[whittler1507]

Hi Foggy, did you use biscuits to strengthen the joint?

 

[Froggy]

Blimey Whittler that was a while ago! No I didn't because I thought the sides were too thin and too narrow. Just glued them (and a little filler, but don't tell anyone!) and the joints haven't failed yet.

 

[lurker]

Thanks for resurrecting this whittler
Something that was close to the top of my to do list