[bandit571]

Those saws are usually 11ppi...and it does not cost all that much to get them sharpened up...There is no Dust Collection to worry about, there is no screaming motor...Takes up about the same space..plus, you might even get a bit of Cardio at the same time. The only electric to run, is to the light over your head....

 

[EllenWoodHead]

I've spent the past few years learning to use hand tools, and mostly retiring my machines. For most projects hand tools are faster. I don't have to hassle with jigs and setups, I don't need a giant shop, and I don't need expensive dust collection and protective gear. I still roll my eyes when some TV or YouTube celebrity woodworker builds special massive jigs, or shills expensive Incra or other gear, to cut little bitty pieces on a table saw. Just cut 'em with a hand saw and be done with it.

The key to being happy with hand tools is sharpness. Sharpening chisels, planes, and saws is pretty easy. All you need is a good howto, like from Paul Sellers or Richard Maguire, and bit of practice. Paul Sellers' book "Essential Woodworking Hand Tools" is utterly brilliant, and IMO the definitive book for learning how to use hand tools, and which tools to use for which tasks.

I don't care what people use, everyone should use what makes them happy, but I do believe that making an effort to explore alternatives leads to some nice rewards.

 

[bandit571]

Here is one for you all...this is how this one was sold..

This still has the logo on it..

GEM Folding Mitre Box....

The idea is, you take this out of the tool box at a job site, set it up on a sawhorse...there are counter sunk screw holes to fasten the box to the top of the sawhorse...there is a brass rod stored in one end, that goes into the back leaf, and reaches half way through the front left.

Guides are adjustable, to the type of saw you are using...does not have to be a backsaw..

IF you don't want to cut 90s this way, walk around back and cut the other way...When done for the day, just fold it back up, and stick into the tool box..

 

[AMZ]

Lee Valley currently sells the metal guides for this style of box. Simply mount on wood of your choice. I have one of the Gem boxes, but really haven’t used it. I much prefer a Stanley 150 for most tasks. For more precise work, then either a full size Langdon or my 14-1/2 size Langdon (I think that’s the number!).

 

[bandit571]

This was great, for when I had to replace all the molding in my son's room, after a house fire about gutted his room...Replace the drywall was one thing..but all the wood trim was a cut a fit....OLD House, has settled a bit of about 100 years....Bevel gauge helped....some.

Does that "kit" also include the special hinges, so you can fold it up?
Mine has the folding decks replace by new pine...(yep, been used THAT much) but the OEM ones had a ruler imprinted along one edge....

 

[AMZ]

This was great, for when I had to replace all the molding in my son's room, after a house fire about gutted his room...Replace the drywall was one thing..but all the wood trim was a cut a fit....OLD House, has settled a bit of about 100 years....Bevel gauge helped....some.

Does that "kit" also include the special hinges, so you can fold it up?
Mine has the folding decks replace by new pine...(yep, been used THAT much) but the OEM ones had a ruler imprinted along one edge....

I did not see the hinge on the LV kit. My old GEM was abused in its earlier life, with saw kerfs all a-skew and maybe 3/8" wide!

 

[bandit571]

One needs to adjust the guides for a tight fit...to where a wee bit of oil helps things slide better...

 

[EllenWoodHead]

I made a few miter boxes out of wood for certain projects where I knew I would make the same cuts a lot. Of course, wood wears and you lose precision, so I considered them as disposable. Check out this Australian luthier hacking up a miter box for cutting frets. She cuts, machines, and welds metal, which is not practical for a lot of woodworkers. The bit that caught my attention is using skateboard bearings in the saw guides. I can think of several ways to create the saw guides with off-the-shelf parts, and not need to cut or weld metal.

Woodsmith published an interesting miter box design with a rotating turntable for infinite angles.

It is feasible to make several for different purposes for not a lot of money or time.

 

[RevAndy]

Here is one for you all...this is how this one was sold..
View attachment 3871039
This still has the logo on it..
View attachment 3871040
GEM Folding Mitre Box....
View attachment 3871041
The idea is, you take this out of the tool box at a job site, set it up on a sawhorse...there are counter sunk screw holes to fasten the box to the top of the sawhorse...there is a brass rod stored in one end, that goes into the back leaf, and reaches half way through the front left.
View attachment 3871044
Guides are adjustable, to the type of saw you are using...does not have to be a backsaw..
View attachment 3871045
IF you don't want to cut 90s this way, walk around back and cut the other way...When done for the day, just fold it back up, and stick into the tool box..

My wife found this bad boy in a garage sale about 10 years ago, before I had Table Saw. Saw blade is 2 feet long. Pair $15. Haven't used it since I made a crosscut sled for my bandsaw.