What additional features are available on the miter box?

The miter box may have a number of additional functions depending on the type of material from which the miter box is made.

Plastic miter boxes have more added functionality than wooden or metal miter boxes because they can be incorporated into the manufacturing process at little or no additional cost.

Adjustable saw guides

There are several wooden miter boxes with metal or nylon adjustable saw guides. These guides allow you to change the width of the saw guide to match the width of the saw by loosening the screw in the adjustment slot.To adjust the rails, simply loosen the screws at the top of the adjustable rails (turn counterclockwise). Place the saw between the guides and slide the guides towards the saw blade until they touch it. Tighten the screws on the rails (turn clockwise) to lock them in place.

Adjustable metal guides.

Multi-purpose wooden miter boxes are available with adjustable metal saw rails that last longer than their nylon counterparts but can be more expensive.

The metal saw guides help protect the miter box from excessive wear by eliminating any wandering of the saw blade and thus extending the accuracy of the miter box.

Adjustable nylon rails.

Some multi-purpose wooden miter boxes have adjustable nylon rails that can be adjusted to match the width of the saw blade.

Nylon guides adapt to the thickness of the saw blade to improve accuracy and extend the life of the miter box as they help protect the saw guide grooves from excessive wear.

Replaceable saw guides

Some multi-purpose ABS miter boxes have replaceable nylon saw guides. The guides simply slide in and out of the side walls of the miter box as they wear out.

Spare rail slots are not provided but can be purchased separately.

Workpiece clamps

The workpiece clamp is a device mounted on a miter box that allows the workpiece to be securely held in position so that an accurate cut can be made. The type of collar depends on the manufacturer of the miter box, so they are not interchangeable.There are several different types of work clamps, including push-button, column and screw clamps.

Button clamp

The button clamp is so named because it has a black button on the front of the miter box that is used to activate the clamp system.

Two push-button clamps grip the workpiece and hold it securely in place.

Pressing the black clamp forward moves the clamps forward, locking the workpiece in place with a spring that maintains tension on the workpiece. Pressing the release lever releases the clamp from the workpiece.

Screw type clamp

Another type of clamp is a screw clamp. This clamp can be put in place and then tightened to secure the workpiece.

Squeezing the clamping mechanism between your index finger and thumb will move the clamp forward and rest against the workpiece.

Turn the last adjustment screw clockwise to tighten it against the workpiece. This will ensure its complete safety.

To release the workpiece from the clamp, simply squeeze the clamp mechanism and slide the clamp to the side.

clamping post

Workpiece clamping posts are used on some miter boxes to securely hold the workpiece in position. Racks are not round, but oval, and therefore, when you twist them, they are pressed against the workpiece.

Two black plastic racks make it easy to fix the workpiece in the miter box. Simply select the holes closest to the workpiece, insert the pins and screw until they are tight.

Miter box attachment points

Screw fixing

Some miter boxes can be screwed onto a workbench to provide a semi-permanent and secure base for the workpiece.

Bench end stop

A useful feature of some miter boxes is the bench edge limiter. The end stop of the bench is created by extending one of the side walls down under the miter box frame. This feature allows the miter box to be docked to the workbench, providing a solid base for precise sawing.

Suspension point of the miter box

Most plastic miter boxes have a slot in the base of the miter box which, while intended to be hung from display hooks in a store, also allows the instrument to be hung from a hook or nail in a workshop. This feature keeps the miter box safe and the workshop clean.

Saw storage function

There are miter boxes with a saw storage function. This allows you to store the saw (spike saw) in the base of the miter box, ensuring you always have the saw with you when you need to use the miter box. The storage is only intended to accommodate the saw supplied with the miter box.

Pencil holder

Most plastic miter boxes have a pencil holder, a round or oval slot in the body of the miter box for a round or oval carpenter's pencil.