Frequently Asked Questions

What is a mitre joint?

A mitre (or miter) joint is made by cutting each end of the pieces to be joined at 45 degrees, and thus forming a 90 degree corner. It is a decorative joint which conceals the end grain, giving the joint a nice, flush look. It is very commonly used in picture framing but can also be used for small boxes or frame and panel lids.

Does the Mitre Maker come with a router bit?

Yes. the Mitre Maker package comes standard with a 38mm 1/2 inch shank cutter and fitted bearing. Other bits such as a 50mm flush trim cutter and a tongue and groove cutter are available as optional extras. All these router bits are manufactured in Australia by Carb-I-Tool.

What sort of router do I need?

The Mitre Maker can be used with any 1/2 inch router, mounted securely in a router table. The main requirement for the router is that the router bit can be adjusted up or down so the bearing on the router bit can run along the template of the Mitre Maker.

Can I use it without a table-mounted router?

No. The Mitre Maker is designed to be used in a table-mounted situation and not using a hand-held router or trimmer. The router table needs to have a nice, flat surface for the Mitre Maker to slide across.

What is the biggest workpiece I can cut?

The Mitre Maker can cut stock up to 80mm wide and 38mm tall using the standard 38mm cutter. Workpiece length is limited by the size of your router table and how many fence extension pieces are attached to the Mitre Maker. An optional tall flush trim bit can be used to allow stock height of up to 50mm. See the technical details for more information.

Can the Mitre Maker cut materials other than timber?

Yes. The Mitre Maker can be used to cut a wide range of materials including MDF, plywood and engineered timber mouldings. We do not recommend the Mitre Maker be used to cut aluminium, except when first using the Mitre Maker to remove the overhanging fence material.

What is the smallest workpiece I can use?

The smallest workpiece that can be cut will depend on your ability to securely clamp the material to the Mitre Maker. For small pieces, if it can be securely clamped, it can be cut.

Can I use other clamps and clamping mechanisms?

Yes. Clamps are supplied with the Mitre Maker, however custom clamps can be used where appropriate including sliding toggle clamps, provided that they can be fixed securely to the Mitre Maker fence. Mitre Maker accepts no responsibility for the safety of after-market clamps used on the Mitre Maker.

Can I make things other than picture frames?

Yes. The Mitre Maker can be used to make a range of items including box lids and parquetry.

Is the Mitre Maker angle adjustable?

No. The Mitre Maker uses a fixed 45 degree angle and can not be adjusted. The fixed angle relative to the fence ensures it will never need adjustment and will always produce high quality, precise mitre joints. If you have a specific need for a Jig with a specific angle, please contact us and we may be able to machine an angle to meet your needs

Does the Mitre Maker come with other fixed angles?

At this stage, the Mitre Maker is only available with a 45 degree angle. If you have a specific need for a jig with a specific angle, please contact us.

Can I get optional extras with the Mitre Maker?

Yes. While the standard Mitre Maker package contains everything you need to start cutting perfect mitre joints on your router table, some applications may require that little bit of extra equipment. These extras include extension packs, alternate cutters and clamping arrangements. See our shop for details. The Mitre Maker product line is always being improved. If you wish you may subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date with all our latest products.

How do I cut moulding profiles?

Moulding timbers are readily available from your hardware store and can be easily made into picture frames, however these profiles do not always have flat top and bottom faces to clamp neatly and securely to the Mitre Maker. When using timber mouldings, additional spring loaded clamps may be required to secure the workpiece against the Mitre Maker fence.

What sort of glue can I use for my mitred frames?

Your mitred joints will likely need to move as timber expands and contracts. For this reason, we will most commonly choose to use a PVA woodworking glue which has some flexibility once cured. Some feedback has indicated an exterior grade PVA works well on mitred joints. For heavy frames and frames with small joint surfaces, additional mechanical fasteners or splines may be required to increase joint strength.