I've been working hard to achieve perfect 45-degree miter cuts for picture frames, and it's been a real challenge. I've tried using a miter gauge on my table saw, a Rockler miter sled, and even made a homemade crosscut sled. I've utilized a compound miter saw, a miter trimmer, and created a shooting board with a hand plane. Despite measuring with multiple squares and trying several cutting techniques, it feels like no matter what I do, I end up with gaps at the corners. After years of effort, I'm getting really frustrated and could use any advice on how to nail those miter cuts for a flawless finish!
4 Answers
I feel your pain! One trick I found useful is to keep the angle set and just flip the board 180 degrees for the opposite cut. It helps cancel out any slight inaccuracies. Also, using an auxiliary fence can help support the grain and minimize chip out, making for cleaner cuts.
I've had good results with a dedicated miter sled. It allows you to cut both matching pieces from opposite sides, which can cancel out errors. If you're working on smaller frames, try cutting the two opposite corners first and then just sand the ends flat afterward. It might help you get those gaps under control.
Great point! Using those techniques can really help align everything without the worry of miscuts.
Make sure to zero your saw properly. It's critical to check all the settings - from the fence to the table and beyond. Even a small misalignment can cause catastrophic gaps at the corners. Dedicate some time to calibrating your equipment, and you might see a huge improvement!
I've had decent luck with a shooting board and hand plane, but it does take practice to get it perfectly dialed in. Be patient with refining your technique, and it might just pay off!
I hear you there! It's frustrating when you feel like you're putting in the effort but not seeing the results.
That's a smart approach! I typically do the same with my boards, and it really makes a difference.