Looking to build a wood box with mitered joints (Kreg Jig 4)

[Jeff Fishman]

Hi Folks

Newbie making his 2nd post.  I want to build some wood boxes using 3/4" wood. The box will be 8" high, and approximately 18" wide by 14" deep.

I want the box to have mitered corners rather than butt joints. 

I've seen Kreg Jig videos showing how to make 'picture frame' mitered corners.  

Is there a video or web site that can help with using the pocket hole jig to make a wood box like that with mitered corners.   I assume this will require shorter screws and changing drill stop depths. 

Thanks 

Jeff

[R. E. Woods]

Take a look at these discussions

http://kregjig.ning.com/forum/topics/joining-boards?commentId=29001...

http://kregjig.ning.com/forum/topics/turning-corners-in-cabinets

[Jeff Fishman]

As I suspected, I saw a comment stating that there may be too much material removed after making miter cut for pocket holed screws to get a good hold.  

I'm going to play with some scrap wood this week in any case to see if smaller screws will get a good hold.  

If I can't do miters, I'll butt joint the sides

Thanks

[Ken Darga]

Jeff,

With mitered corners, I use biscuit joinery---

no exposed screws.

This gives it the best appearance.

[Jeff Fishman]

Thanks Ken

I have a biscuit joiner and often have used it for boxes and shelving units

I haven't done miters with biscuits but will play around with some scrap stuff this week

Jeff

[Jay Boutwell]

The easiest and strongest mitered box is one that is held together with glue and a full length spline,  These can be made using either a router table and a slotting bit and or a table saw with the blade set at 45 degrees passing the miter ends across the blade set to cut a shallow groove and passed by the blade two times cutting a 1/4 in groove.  You must cut all the corners with one setting and then reset the saw to cut at a 1/8" groove in a different location in the mitered piece.  Both setting should be made to cause the slot to be cut near the center of the miter.  Make the spline to fit the cuts.  This is similar to that of a biscuit however much simpler to do and actually stronger.  Glue the miters together and use either a band clamp or similar clamp to keep the joints tight.   A simple way that I do on complicated and simple joints is a good roll of electricians tape.  It is a plastic product and when stretched around the object it provides a cheap and a throw away clamp.   Because it is a plastic glue will not stick to it and since it has a memory the tape tries to return to it original size and this makes your joint even tighter.  

[Jeff Fishman]

The spline joint would definitely have more surface area than biscuits.  

 

my experience with biscuits is that they are extremely strong joints.  I find it really easy to use the biscuit joiner - and it allows for slight bits of error since there is play with biscuits before they set and expand. 

but the spline is something I want to experiment with.  I have a slot bit for a router but rarely use a router these days except for creating moulding with roundover bits. But i might try it on my table saw and goof around it. 

[Ken Darga]

Jeff,

Spine joinery may be the way to go, if you're going to store and tote rocks in the box you've described.