Mitre boxes are a useful affordable tool primarily designed to allow you to make basic mitre joints. This type of joint is good for creating a neat joint when working on skirting boards, coving or framing. Trying to work these angles out by measuring and using a hand saw is a difficult thing to get right. The easiest and most accurate method is to use a mitre saw as that comes with various pre-set angles, and makes you life a whole lot easier.
The down side of the mitre saw, is that these are an expensive buy which can be hard to justify. For trades and professionals it is a no brainer. If you are just someone who needs to make a few mitre cuts now and then, a mitre box with a saw is a really good solution.
You can just buy a standard mitre box, and use a hand saw. The ideal saw to use is a tenon saw though, as these have finer teeth and are so much easier to use. They are smaller and the blades have finer teeth and that makes much neater cuts.
I am going to show you what mitre box and saw combinations are available on Amazon UK. You might also be able to pick these up at Retail stores like B&Q or Screwfix. There are a few of these available from the Stanley, Rolson, Tolson and other well known brands.
Top 5 Best Selections
1. Stanley 1-20-800 Adjustable Mechanical Mitre Box
This option from the Stanley brand is the one that I would recommend. The reason for my recommendation is that it can do a huge variety of cuts, including wood, metal and plastic. This covers jobs like cutting architrave, skirting board, picture frames, pipes, etc
It has angled cuts including 30°, 45°, adjustable 60° to 90° cuts for accurate perfect mitred joints.
The saw is really good with an extra fine 14 TPI universal teeth great for finer finish cutting.
You can also quickly clamp any workpiece using the moveable cam locks and adjustable length gauge allows you to conveniently complete repeat cuts.
Check Amazon UK for Availability. Average Price: £60. 86% buyer satisfaction based on around 1,700+ online buyer reviews
Pros:
Cons:
2. Stanley STA120600 Clamping Mitre Box and Saw
This option from the Stanley brand is a cheaper option and also does a good job. It is worth saying though that it can be slightly more fiddly to work with. It can cut wood, metal and plastic materials with the following angle options of 90°, 45° and 22½°, and can also do 45° bevel cuts accurately for perfect joints.
It uses a couple of cams to hold the material in place, which work really well for holding the material.(those small black things in the image above)
Check Amazon UK for Availability. Average Price: £22 84% buyer satisfaction based on around 2,000+ online buyer reviews
Pros:
Cons:
3. Tolsen Mitre Box & Fine Tenon Saw
This option from the Tolsen brand is an even cheaper option and is a 300mm (12"0 option. It has the following angle options of 90°, and 45° left or right, which is a limited option compared to the previous two options. The saw is slightly better with 14TPI which does deliver fine neat cuts.
It is really basic though with no clamps to hold the material being cut.
Check Amazon UK for Availability. Average Price: £17 80% buyer satisfaction based on around 1,000+ online buyer reviews
Pros:
Cons:
4. Stanley Saw Storage Mitre Box With Saw 1 19 800
This is the basic option from the Stanley brand. It can cut wood, metal and plastic materials with the following angle options of 90°, 45° and 22½° angles. It is really basic though with no clamps to hold the material being cut.
Check Amazon UK for Availability. Average Price: £15 84% buyer satisfaction based on around 1,200+ online buyer reviews
Pros:
Cons:
5. Silverline Expert Mitre Box & Saw
This option is from the Silverline brand. It can cut wood, metal and plastic materials with the following angle options of 90°, 45° and 22½° angles. It is basic though with no clamps to hold the material being cut.
Check Amazon UK for Availability. Average Price: £13 82% buyer satisfaction based on around 500+ online buyer reviews
Pros:
Cons:
How to use a mitre box and saw
- Secure the Mitre Box - Set the mitre box on a stable and flat surface, such as a bench or table. You can clamp it to the work surface to prevent movement during cutting, especially for longer pieces. Ideally you should screw it down to a work bench and this will make your entire experience much better. If you don't it will just move around and drive you nuts.
- Mark the Cut - Measure and mark the material you want to cut. Use a pencil to draw a line precisely where you want the cut to be. The golden rule applies, "measure twice, cut once."
- Select the Angle - Identify the angle on the mitre box that you need for your cut. Most mitre boxes have slots for common angles like 45 degrees, 90 degrees, etc. Choose the appropriate slot that matches the angle you want to cut.
- Put the Material in the Mitre Box - Position the material to be cut into the appropriate slot in the mitre box, and make sure that the material is snugly fitted against the side of the box as that helps maintain accuracy.
- Hold the Material Securely - Use clamps to hold the material firmly in place within the mitre box. Some mitre boxes have built in clamps. Many don't so use some form of clamp if you own them. This will prevent any movement while you're cutting.
- Making the cut - Use the back saw and place it into the slot corresponding to the desired angle. Hold the saw firmly and start cutting along the marked line. Use a smooth, steady motion to guide the saw through the material. Be patient and avoid forcing the saw, letting its teeth do the cutting.
- Check the Cut - Once you have finished, remove the material from the mitre box and inspect the edge. Sand or file the cut edge if needed for a smoother finish.
My Final Thoughts
Ideally we would all own a mitre saw and make these types of cuts easily and quickly. The big problem is the cost of buying one and trying to justify that cost. Most DIYers and homeowners just won't use one of these that much. Most people only ever need to make a few mitre cuts, when working on smaller projects.
The mitre box and saw is a more affordable option. Personally I would recommend buying one that has clamps as it makes your life easier and the cuts more accurate. If you can take your time and be patient, then these will get the job done.
0 comments