This post was last updated on July 13th, 2022 at 09:47 am
If you’re a woodworker, you probably have a large collection of power tools. And even if you’re not, you still might have a large collection of power tools. Many advertisements leave the impression a power tool is a prerequisite to take on most any wood project. It’s not silly, however, to use hand tools.
If you’re willing to question whether you need a certain power tool, consider giving the miter box a shot and skip buying a power miter saw.
For a surprising number of projects, I’ve found a handsaw and miter box prove perfectly adequate. For more than 10 years, I’ve made all my miter cuts with a Stanley cast-iron miter box that’s at least 50 years old. This little guy has helped me make cuts for everything from floor trim to a bedroom headboard.
Read: 4 great yard tools that can also offer a workout
I got lucky with my miter box. My wife spotted it at a garage sale years ago, and you won’t find anything like it sold in stores today. New boxes tend to be plastic and are flimsier than their predecessors. They don’t come with as many user-friendly features, either. If you’re serious about getting a miter box, I recommend keeping an eye open for older, cast-iron models.
Still wondering whether a miter box would suit you? Here are five more reasons to forgo the power miter saw:
01 Get closer to carpentry roots
There’s satisfaction in watching wood shavings fly as you push and pull a handsaw. Naturally, the more time and energy you spend on something, the more it means to you. That’s not to suggest people who use power tools lack pride in their projects. It’s merely to say the sweat from sawing by hand will make you appreciate the results all the more.
02 Role-modeling for your kids
If you have kids and read to them, perhaps you noticed the tools featured in children’s books are almost always hand tools. Hand tools have a romantic quality, and if your son or daughter sees you working with hand tools, they’ll be drawn to them. Hand tools make projects approachable for kids. They’re quieter and generally safer. I invite my kids to help me cut boards or trim, standing with them at the miter box as they use the handsaw. My hope is to plant a seed for them to embrace woodworking someday.
03 Save space with a miter box
I have some power tools, and they take up more space than most of my hand tools. If you don’t need a certain power tool, you’re saving space, in addition to money. A miter box can be easily moved and tucked away. A handsaw hanging on a wall takes up almost no space.
04 Get better quality cuts from a miter box
This point is debatable, as power miter saws can produce clean cuts as long as they’re equipped with the proper blade. However, it’s arguably easier to get clean cuts using a fine-toothed handsaw and miter box.
05 Finally, the health benefits
This gets back to my first post about being frugalmatic. With a miter box, you’re working those arm muscles and burning calories along with accomplishing the task at hand.
Is the miter box the ideal tool for your workshop? That depends a lot on your project goals. A miter box becomes less practical the more cuts a project requires. As an average DIYer, I can attest many projects are possible with a miter box. I even made a headboard for our bedroom with it. You can always try a miter box and then opt for the power version if you decide the miter box alone isn’t cutting it (sorry, couldn’t resist the pun).