Jig for glueing up mitres

[Andy Kev.]

What do you think of this:

It popped up on my YouTube feed. It looks convincing but I wonder what those of you with professional experience think.

BTW, you might want to turn the sound down: I found the music to be a bit much.

 

[Eric the Viking]

Collins Spring Loaded Pliers and 13 Miter Clamps - Proudly Made in The USA : Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

Collins Spring Loaded Pliers and 13 Miter Clamps - Proudly Made in The USA : Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

www.amazon.co.uk

Recently used on 11" and 12" skirting boards to do outside-corner returns. Designed for architrave and picture framing

Cheaper Chinese knock-offs also available...

 

[Mike G]

Firstly.......don't make mitres.

My response...........that looks like a mountain out of a molehill. A sledgehammer to crack a nut.

 

[fuse]

Firstly.......don't make mitres.

Mike please explain

 

[Pete Maddex]

Band clamp.

Pete

 

[Mike G]

Mike please explain

They're the work of the devil. An abomination. A self-inflicted trial.

-

I jest, of course. I hate doing them, but sometimes they can't be avoided.

 

[Andy Kev.]

They're the work of the devil. An abomination. A self-inflicted trial.

-

I jest, of course. I hate doing them, but sometimes they can't be avoided.

I must admit that I am not too crazy about them and have only made them a couple of times. I ended up cheating by connecting them with dowels.

On the plus side of the video though: would that not be a case of once you've made the jig, you've got a quick and easy solution for all mitre glue ups for frames with sizes within the range offered by the jig?

 

[Raymedullary]

Yep there is a jig/clamp/whatsname for nearly everything but life is too short! I am actually in the process of making a batch of picture frames, very plain 25 x 15mm square edged pine with a clear finish... with an off white mount my colour photos look good in them.
I use a fine bladed "chop" saw to cut and those sprung corner clamps which apart from leaving an annoying mark work well.... a spot of mitre bond and job done. There are so many factors when it comes to getting a perfect mitre especially in a frame with four of them that I have stopped striving for perfection, if I can see a minute glue line on one or two of them then so what is now my attitude because nobody else knows or cares!

 

[Woodbloke]

Band clamp.

Pete

Agreed Pete; an overly complicated system for a fairly straight forward and easy job and Mike....mitres are easy if you do them properly My 'go to' band clamp is this one which used to be available from Axminster; alas no longer. The pressure that can be exerted on the joints is eye watering! - Rob

 

[Eric the Viking]

To be honest, I don't think the jig in the video is a terribly good idea anyway.

The beauty of band clamps (and spiky clamps) is that they're largely self-correcting. As you tighten, the force aligns with the cut sides of the mitre (or it should). With the video one you're depending a lot on the accuracy with which the jig is made, and if it's made of softwood, that won't last, even if it's cut perfectly in the first place.

I like spikes for convenience, but even those rely on getting the faces perfect in the first place, and/or dowels or dominoes to align them. If I were doing a lot of picture frames. I'd probably get a nice band clamp with steel tape.

 

[Woodbloke]

....I'd probably get a nice band clamp with steel tape.

Like wot the one I use in the linkie - Rob

 

[Stuart]

Another vote for band clamps.

I make quite a few boxes and picture frames and they’re invaluable and generally fuss free.

I’ve even used ratchet straps for larger frames, they work equally well.

 

[RogerS]

Agreed Pete; an overly complicated system for a fairly straight forward and easy job and Mike....mitres are easy if you do them properly My 'go to' band clamp is this one which used to be available from Axminster; alas no longer. The pressure that can be exerted on the joints is eye watering! - Rob

I do believe that I have one lurking in the corner somewhere and not being used. Nor likely to be.

 

[Woodbloke]

I do believe that I have one lurking in the corner somewhere and not being used. Nor likely to be.

If I get over your way sometime Rog and you're tempted to flog it, I'd probably take it off your hands, for the simple reason that two are useful for gluing up a deep mitred frame as in a box project done recently, which, it has to be said, was a bit of a 'mare - Rob