Shooting board versus mitre trimmer for fine boxes

[BradyS]

Good day!

As the thread name suggests it, I would appreciate some professional opinions from those of you who have used or are using ideally both of these options. I am looking for a long term solution regarding mitred joints. A part of my intended activity is going to be fine box making. I'm still learning to use hand tools.

Now I have neither used a mitre (guillotine), nor a shooting board. I don't own a low angle jack plane. Theory, yes, I gathered around both. Looking for more hands-on points of view here from you.

I won't have much use for shooting boards except for this purpose. Same goes for a mitre trimmer, although making picture frames would be lucrative in my area.

Since for me the costs of the plane, accessories and related jigs is similar to that of a used mitre trimmer (the tall, standing one, not the benchtop version), what do you suggest?

Much appreciated,
Brad

 

[--Tom--]

For boxes I’d go shooting plane as gives more versatility - doesn’t have to be expensive - a woody is easy to adjust to being 90degrees between side and sole and has good reference faces.

 

[Trafalgar]

Guillotine trimmer all day long. The biggest, baddest, heaviest, industrial-strength, cast iron monstrosity you can lay hands on will run circles around a silly shooting board.

 

[TRITON]

Each have their own pluses and minuses. Mitre trimmers are good for small stuff, for example you've a pile of doors needing mouldings, but they're not much use if the part is bigger than 4"
Shooting boards need constructed, and you have to get it 100% first off, which might require you to remake and remake again.

 

[BradyS]

Each have their own pluses and minuses. Mitre trimmers are good for small stuff, for example you've a pile of doors needing mouldings, but they're not much use if the part is bigger than 4"
Shooting boards need constructed, and you have to get it 100% first off, which might require you to remake and remake again.

Thank you. I specifically mentioned the big size mitre trimmers. The model I'm considering has a cutting capacity of circa 180 x 100 mm, that's roughly 6.7 x 4 inches. And I've seen various information sources with renowed box makers who were using this machine for mitres.

 

[Sideways]

It's a one trick pony and not small but a big morso or similar guillotine cuts a clean mitre that has to be seen to be believed.

 

[paulrbarnard]

@BradyS from you reaction a few post up I’d say you were looking to justify the purchase of a mitre trimmer. If you want one go for it. But as said by @—Tom— a shooting board, and certainly the plane is far more versatile.

 

[johnnyb]

I can imagine a mitre trimmer having capacity and leaving a polished cut but every one I've used has not been super accurate. I had a monster American one got the knives ground and it was awesome but it was never perfectly accurate and the blades soon went off sharp. If you could set it up perfect it would work.
I'd choose a perfectly set table saw 80t blade and a sled. Bang on every time both on angle and cut length(being jigged).

 

[johnnyb]

Don't forget flat and square and equal length is also important. The mitre is a very fussy joint for perfection imho.