Newbie, need help with 45 degree cuts

[Russell]

Any advice/ secrets / when it comes to setting up the jig when connecting 2-45degree boards?

[Russell]

Maybe I should ask, "can you use the jig on 45 degree cuts?"
I'm using a strip of oak 11/2" wide and 3/4" thick. I can't figure out where to place the jig, I'm using the small single hole jig. Thanks in advance for Ny help.

[Jim Osteen]

I have done this and it works well. When you go from one board to another, you place the jig perpendicular to the edge of the board you are drilling into. You want to do the same thing when going into the 45 degree cut. The other issue is how to locate the jig between the point and the other end of the 45 degree edge. Slide the jig back and forth and observe where the hole will begin. You want to place it so that you get as much meat as you can without sacrificing meat on either of the boards. (Narrow boards could give you more problems.) I recommend you make a few tries on scrap wood before trying the final product. As a side note, I placed a screw in each board going into the 45 degree edge. I'm not sure that was necessary, but the joint was very strong. Good luck. Keep trying and don't give up.

[Russell]

Jim,
  Thanks for the help. I'm heading out now to try, but I do have one more question.  When setting the depth, the wood is 3/4 ", do you put the tip of the drill at the depth mark or dp you put the "shoulder of the drill where tip meets the drill?l

Jim Osteen said:

I have done this and it works well. When you go from one board to another, you place the jig perpendicular to the edge of the board you are drilling into. You want to do the same thing when going into the 45 degree cut. The other issue is how to locate the jig between the point and the other end of the 45 degree edge. Slide the jig back and forth and observe where the hole will begin. You want to place it so that you get as much meat as you can without sacrificing meat on either of the boards. (Narrow boards could give you more problems.) I recommend you make a few tries on scrap wood before trying the final product. As a side note, I placed a screw in each board going into the 45 degree edge. I'm not sure that was necessary, but the joint was very strong. Good luck. Keep trying and don't give up.

[william jakubowski]

i bought one today

look in the middle of the jig

there is a slot place the ruler thru the jig -- i did not see it at first but its there

bill from dunkirk ny

[Brandon Maxwell]

i am trying to join two 45 degree miters as well but with 2 3/4" wide by 1 3/8" thick and am wondering what size screws to use. also add that i am using birch.



Russell said:

Maybe I should ask, "can you use the jig on 45 degree cuts?"
I'm using a strip of oak 11/2" wide and 3/4" thick. I can't figure out where to place the jig, I'm using the small single hole jig. Thanks in advance for Ny help.

[Jim Osteen]

The chart for screws that I have only goes to 1 1/2 inches. To connect 1 1/2 to 1 3/8 use jig setting for 1 3/8 and screws 1 1/2. I'm no expert on woods but it is recommended that you use #7 fine thread screws for hardwoods and #8 course thread for softwoods.