how to make 45 degree angles?

Not stupid by any means. Everyone who starts making miters has the same question. First off – to make sure your sides are the same—- use a stop block. I like to cut my miters lying flat on the table as opposed to having the material standing on edge. Doing it this way means that my “inside” of the box is lying on the table and very little of the blade is exposed over the table. I also use a sled, but a well adjuster miter gauge works well also.

I’m sure you can find a pictorial on the net about this. If not, you’ve picqued my interest in showing you how I do it and I’ll try to do a quick tutorial for you tomorrow.

As for the dimension. – Make a straight line down the surface of your wood where you want to miter to stop. For example – you are starting with a 6” board, but you want it to be 4.5”. Cut the first end – the first miter cut is always the easiest. then measure from the edge of the miter cut to the other end – make a mark at 4.5 and – then flip the board around (keeping the face down) and line the blade up to cut just barley outside of the line. You should now have a board with two mitered ends that is 4.5” long.

that’s probably not the best explanation. I really will try to do a photo tutorial tomorrow. I’m kind of limited on what I can do, but I should be able to do this much.

-- Betsy - GO BUCKS!

very cool. Thanks for the help and the pending tutorial. I am very “lamans terms” type of person. I do better with pictures and drawings as opposed to descriptions. You a Florida woodworker?

-- my mind is constantly racing..... but it hasnt came in 1st place yet

I’ve tried to answer your question in my blog. Check this out. http://lumberjocks.com/jocks/Betsy/blog/6161

Hope it helps.

-- Betsy - GO BUCKS!

With the exception of Betsy’s “Go Bucks” (I’m a Gator fan) I agree with everything he has said.

I made a simple miter gauge extension out of baltic birch that attaches to the miter gauge with screws and wing nuts. A small block of wood clamped further out controls the length. A 45 degree drafting triangle can be used to set your miter angle. A 60 to 80 tooth crosscut blade usually gives a smooth enough cut for joining pieces together. I love my “safety grip” miter gauge as it keeps my fingers away from the blade on shorter length cuts.

By-the-way. There is no such thing as a stupid question when you are using power tools.

-- "Heaven is North of the Bridge"

You are the best Betsy, it is very much appreciated.

-- my mind is constantly racing..... but it hasnt came in 1st place yet

Oh and thanks also 8iowa. Appreciate your take on power tool questions not being stupid.

-- my mind is constantly racing..... but it hasnt came in 1st place yet

how did Martin let a Gator fan on this site! Gone to the dogs now!

Glad I add a little to your woodworking experience aspirations.

-- Betsy - GO BUCKS!